Derivation and prediction of temperamental types among preschoolers.
The number and nature of temperamental types in 488 children aged 3 years 6 months was examined on the basis of a broad set of temperamental characteristics, including positive and negative emotionality and the attentional and behavioral control domains. Configural frequency analysis methods showed clear support for two temperament types: controlled-nonexpressive and noncontrolled-expressive. These types showed meaningful differences against external criteria related to a wide range of problem behaviors from the emotional, social, and attentional domains. The reports of problem behaviors were obtained contemporaneously from fathers and caregivers. These findings replicated a year later when children were aged 4 years 6 months. Furthermore, the findings showed that infant and toddler-age temperamental characteristics differentiated these preschool-aged types. The authors discuss the implications of the results for a categorical view of temperament-personality.
Aksan
N
N
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53706, USA. nsaksan@students.wisc.edu
Goldsmith
H H
HH
Smider
N A
NA
Essex
M J
MJ
Clark
R
R
Hyde
J S
JS
Klein
M H
MH
Vandell
D L
DL
D001288:Attention; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016524:Parental Leave; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D012919:Social Behavior; D013694:Temperament; D014922:Wisconsin