CMH - The role of temperament Flashcards
What is temperament?
Comprises constitutionally based characteristics to make up the core of personality
What does temperament influence?
Maturation and experience
What are the 9 dimensions of temperament that Thomas and Chess identified?
Activity level, rhythmicity, approach/withdrawal, adaptability, intensity, threshold, mood, distractability, attention span/ persistence.
TC - What is activity level?
Frequency and tempo of infant’s motor activity
TC - What is rhythmicity?
Extent to which activities e.g. sleeping are regular
TC - What is approach/withdrawal?
How infants react to novel situations
TC- What is intensity?
How energetic the infant’s usual reactions are
TC- What is threshold?
How intense stimulation needs to be before infant reacts
TC- What is mood?
General quality of infant’s behaviour e.g (un)friendly
TC- What is distractibility?
How easily infant’s activities can be interrupted
TC- What is attention span/persistence?
How long infant remains engaged in an activity
What is the first typology of temperament?
Easy -> cheerful, rhythmic, adaptable (40%)
What is the second typology of temperament?
Difficult -> Low on rhythmicity, easily upset by novelty and cries often (10%)
What is the last typology of temperament?
Slow to warm -> adjusts slowly to new experiences, negative mood, inactive (50%)
What is an example of temperament determining the intensity of infant’s crying?
Intense crying elicits emotional reactions and behaviours in caregiver, inducing a parent to respond quickly or slowly or in ways that are less or more efficient.
Can temperament be modified by experience?
Research suggests that although temperament is often stable and resistant to change, a difficult temperament can be modified over time with appropriate caregiving.
