Chucky is a three-year-old who is very easily upset. For the most part, he likes to sit and play with building toys for hours at a time. When he goes to new places, he gets angry easily and avoids moving around or interacting with other people. Given this information, how would you expect Chucky to be evaluated on Rothbart's three dimensions of temperament? Be sure to explain your answers

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Surgency/extroversion refers to the extent to which a child is generally happy, active, and vocal and regularly seeks interesting stimulation. Chucky would score low on this dimension because he is easily upset, not active, and does not seek out interesting stimulation. Negative affect refers to the extent to which a child is angry, fearful, frustrated, shy, and not easily soothed. Chucky would score high on this dimension because he gets angry easily and is easily upset. Effortful control refers to the extent to which a child can focus attention, is not readily distracted, and can inhibit responses. Chucky would score moderately on this dimension because he can sit and play for hours at a time but cannot inhibit responses since he angers easily and becomes upset easily.