CMH - The role of temperament

Question 1

What is temperament?

Answer 1

Comprises constitutionally based characteristics to make up the core of personality

Question 2

What does temperament influence?

Answer 2

Maturation and experience

Question 3

What are the 9 dimensions of temperament that Thomas and Chess identified?

Answer 3

Activity level, rhythmicity, approach/withdrawal, adaptability, intensity, threshold, mood, distractability, attention span/ persistence.

Question 4

TC - What is activity level?

Answer 4

Frequency and tempo of infant’s motor activity

Question 5

TC - What is rhythmicity?

Answer 5

Extent to which activities e.g. sleeping are regular

Question 6

TC - What is approach/withdrawal?

Answer 6

How infants react to novel situations

Question 7

TC- What is intensity?

Answer 7

How energetic the infant’s usual reactions are

Question 8

TC- What is threshold?

Answer 8

How intense stimulation needs to be before infant reacts

Question 9

TC- What is mood?

Answer 9

General quality of infant’s behaviour e.g (un)friendly

Question 10

TC- What is distractibility?

Answer 10

How easily infant’s activities can be interrupted

Question 11

TC- What is attention span/persistence?

Answer 11

How long infant remains engaged in an activity

Question 12

What is the first typology of temperament?

Answer 12

Easy -> cheerful, rhythmic, adaptable (40%)

Question 13

What is the second typology of temperament?

Answer 13

Difficult -> Low on rhythmicity, easily upset by novelty and cries often (10%)

Question 14

What is the last typology of temperament?

Answer 14

Slow to warm -> adjusts slowly to new experiences, negative mood, inactive (50%)

Question 15

What is an example of temperament determining the intensity of infant’s crying?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Can temperament be modified by experience?

Answer 16

Research suggests that although temperament is often stable and resistant to change, a difficult temperament can be modified over time with appropriate caregiving.