Using Thomas and Chess's model of temperament, identify and describe the three primary temperaments. Do all children fit into one of these categories? Explain.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Thomas and Chess initiated the New York Longitudinal Study, a groundbreaking investigation of the development of temperament. When detailed descriptions of infants' and children's behavior obtained from parental interviews were rated, certain characteristics clustered together, yielding three types of children:
- The easy child quickly establishes regular routines in infancy, is generally cheerful, and adapts easily to new experiences.
- The difficult child is irregular in daily routines, is slow to accept new experiences, and tends to react negatively and intensely. Difficult children are at high risk for adjustment problems-both anxious withdrawal and aggressive behavior in early and middle childhood.
- The slow-to-warm-up child is inactive, shows mild, low-key reactions to environmental stimuli, is negative in mood, and adjusts slowly to new experiences. Compared with difficult children, slow-to-warm-up children present fewer problems initially. However, slow-to-warm-up children tend to show excessive fearfulness and slow, constricted behavior in late the preschool and school years, when they are expected to respond actively and quickly in classrooms and peer groups.
Of the participants in Thomas and Chess's longitudinal study, 40 percent were identified as easy children, 10 percent were identified as difficult children, 15 percent were identified as slow-to-warm-up children, and 35 percent of the children did not fit any of the categories. Instead, they showed unique blends of temperamental characteristics.