Observations of Parent-Child Interactions and Temperament
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Observations of Parent-Child Interactions and Temperament
Psychology 223
January 23, 2013
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Temperament is defined as the features of your personality that are present at birth and have a genetic/biological basis. Your temperament, or basic disposition, interacts with environmental influences to create your personality (Salters-Pedneault, 2010). Temperament is a behavioral style that shows the how of behavior, rather than the what or why. Temperamental differences are present at birth; they influence how children behave toward individuals and objects in their environments and how they are affected by the environment (Behavioral-Development Initiatives, 1996-2012). Temperament originates in genes and prenatal development and is affected by early experiences (Berger, 2011, p. 183). Parenting is a mutual process where the parent influences the child’s development, and in return, the child influences the parent. However, parents differ on how to raise children. The nine temperaments suggested by Thomas and Chess, have been grouped into three basic classifications of children: easy children, difficult children, and slow-to-warm-up children. Easy children usually have positive moods and approaches to new situations. They adapt quite well to change. Easy children are somewhat predictable in their sleeping, eating, and elimination patterns. Difficult children tend to have irregular sleeping, eating, and elimination patterns. They often experience negative moods and withdraw from things which are new. Difficult children are slow or non-adaptive to change. Slow-to-warm-up children may react to new situations in a negative but mild manner. They are low in activity levels and tend to withdraw in new situations. These children are more likely to warm up when approached in a way which respects their temperament traits (Culpepper, 2008).
Our temperament and style of parenting used while being reared can ultimately determine how
Observations of Parent-Child Interactions and Temperament
Psychology 223
January 23, 2013
|
Temperament is defined as the features of your personality that are present at birth and have a genetic/biological basis. Your temperament, or basic disposition, interacts with environmental influences to create your personality (Salters-Pedneault, 2010). Temperament is a behavioral style that shows the how of behavior, rather than the what or why. Temperamental differences are present at birth; they influence how children behave toward individuals and objects in their environments and how they are affected by the environment (Behavioral-Development Initiatives, 1996-2012). Temperament originates in genes and prenatal development and is affected by early experiences (Berger, 2011, p. 183). Parenting is a mutual process where the parent influences the child’s development, and in return, the child influences the parent. However, parents differ on how to raise children. The nine temperaments suggested by Thomas and Chess, have been grouped into three basic classifications of children: easy children, difficult children, and slow-to-warm-up children. Easy children usually have positive moods and approaches to new situations. They adapt quite well to change. Easy children are somewhat predictable in their sleeping, eating, and elimination patterns. Difficult children tend to have irregular sleeping, eating, and elimination patterns. They often experience negative moods and withdraw from things which are new. Difficult children are slow or non-adaptive to change. Slow-to-warm-up children may react to new situations in a negative but mild manner. They are low in activity levels and tend to withdraw in new situations. These children are more likely to warm up when approached in a way which respects their temperament traits (Culpepper, 2008).
Our temperament and style of parenting used while being reared can ultimately determine how
References: Behavioral-Developmental Initiatives. (1999-2012). Temperament and parenting. Retrieved from www.temperament.com/temperament.comfaqs.html[->0] Berger, K. (2011) Temperament and goodness-of-fit. The Developing Person Through the Life Span, 7, 183-185. Cherry, K. (2013). The four styles of parenting. About.com Guide. Retrieved from www.psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/parenting-style.htm[->1]. Culpepper, S. (2008). The temperament trap: recognizing and accommodating children’s personalities. Early Childhood News. Retrieved from www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildwood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=241[->2] Pedneault, K. (2010, March 30). What is temperament? About.com Borderline Personality. Retrieved from bpd.about.com/od/glossary/g/temperament.htm Speaks-Fold, V