title: Gender differences in temperament: a meta-analysis.
abstract: The authors used meta-analytical techniques to estimate the magnitude of gender differences in mean level and variability of 35 dimensions and 3 factors of temperament in children ages 3 months to 13 years. Effortful control showed a large difference favoring girls and the dimensions within that factor (e.g., inhibitory control: d = -.41, perceptual sensitivity: d = -0.38) showed moderate gender differences favoring girls, consistent with boys' greater incidence of externalizing disorders. Surgency showed a difference favoring boys, as did some of the dimensions within that factor (e.g., activity: d = 0.33, high-intensity pleasure: d = 0.30), consistent with boys' greater involvement in active rough-and-tumble play. Negative affectivity showed negligible gender differences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin--Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. nmelse@wisc.edu
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Else-Quest
authors.forename: Janet Shibley
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: H Hill
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Van Hulle
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D010553:Personality Development; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012737:Sex Factors; D013694:Temperament