Stress reactivity and self-recognition.
This study examined longitudinally whether early differences in reactivity to stress are related to self-recognition at 18 months of age. Adrenocortical and behavioral stress responses to routine inoculation at 2 and 4 months and at 6 and 18 months were obtained. Previous findings indicated a developmental shift in adrenocortical functioning by 6 months of age that included the emergence of stable individual differences in cortisol response from this point in development. Self-recognition was related to a greater cortisol response and less rapid quieting at 6 to 18 months, whereas 2- to 4-month cortisol and quieting responses did not differentiate self-recognizers and non-self-recognizers. These findings indicate a role for temperament differences in facilitating the emergence of self-recognition.
Lewis
M
M
Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08903-0019, USA. lewis@umdnj.edu
Ramsay
D S
DS
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament
D006854:Hydrocortisone