Studying cross-cultural differences in the development of infant temperament: People's Republic of China, the United States of America, and Spain.
Investigated early development of temperament across three cultures: People's Republic of China (PRC), United States of America (US), and Spain, utilizing a longitudinal design (assessments at 3, 6, and 9 months of age). Selection of these countries presented an opportunity to conduct Eastern-Western/Individualistic-Collectivistic comparisons. The greatest number of significant differences (i.e., involving more temperament dimensions) was anticipated for the US (Western/Individualistic) and PRC (Eastern/Collectivistic) comparisons. The US sample included 66, the PRC group 69, and the Spanish sample, 60 mothers, all of whom completed the Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) 3 times, when their infants were 3, 6, and 9 months of age. Results related to mean group differences were generally consistent with our hypotheses, demonstrating a greater number of significant differences for US versus PRC, with fewer differences observed for US and Spain. Analyses addressing developmental changes in temperament indicated patterns consistent with a priori expectations and cross-cultural differences.
Gartstein
Maria A
MA
Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4840, USA. gartstma@wsu.edu
Gonzalez
Carmen
C
Carranza
Jose A
JA
Ahadi
Stephan A
SA
Ye
Renmin
R
Rothbart
Mary K
MK
Yang
Suh Wen
SW
D002681:China; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament; D014481:United States