Temperament FAQS

What is temperament?
Temperament is how we respond to our environment. One's temperament style is biologically based, generally appears in infancy, and remains constant throughout one's life span.

What are the temperament styles?
Theorists have determined several temperament traits. Each have appropriate and inappropriate characteristics.

• Highly Active
• Non-persistent
• Irregularity, Unpredictability
• Initial Withdrawal
• Slow Adaptability
• High Intensity
• Negative Mood
• Inattention and Distractibility
• Low Sensitivity Threshold

How do I recognize highly active?
Look for the following characteristics. Appropriate characteristics: Child is energetic, investigative, inquisitive. Inappropriate characteristics: Restless, very active, impulsive, reckless. Easily distracted from tasks.

How do I recognize non-persistence?
Look for the following inappropriate characteristics: Gives up easily; cannot handle delayed gratification; never finishes anything; quits projects before completion; short attention span, especially when not interested, sometimes viewed as "lazy."

How do I recognize irregularity, unpredictability?
Look for the following inappropriate characteristics: Unpredictable patterns of eating, sleeping; moods change suddenly.

How do I recognize initial withdrawal?
Look for the following characteristics.Appropriate characteristics: Demonstrates caution in risky circumstances. Inappropriate characteristics: Rejection of people, food, unfamiliar situations; very shy, clingy; slow to accept change.

How do I recognize slow adaptability?
Look for the following inappropriate characteristics: Has difficulty with change and transitions. Takes a long time to adapt and adjust.

How do I recognize high intensity?
Look for the following inappropriate characteristics: Expresses emotions in extremes, rather than cry; yells rather than talks. Intensity is sometimes mistaken for desire.

How do I recognize negative mood?
Look for the following inappropriate characteristics: Child's first reaction to a new stimulus or idea is always negative. Fussy, complains a lot, appears very serious or cranky; and displays little pleasure; sulks, gripes, and is never satisfied.

How do I recognize inattention and distractibility?
Look for the following inappropriate characteristics: Doesn't listen. Has difficulty concentrating and studying. Gets pulled off task easily and needs reminders.

How do I recognize low sensitivity threshold?
Look for the following characteristics.Appropriate characteristics: A high awareness of changes in their surroundings and of nuances in the feelings and thoughts of others.Inappropriate characteristics: Overreacts even to normal stimuli. Extreme sensitivity to sounds, lights, colors, textures, temperature, pain, tastes, smells; clothes have to "feel right;" overreact to minor cuts and scrapes; has tantrums.

Where do temper tantrums fit in?
When a child's basic temperament is "rubbed the wrong way," he or she will react, that is, throw a fit, have a tantrum. This is because their psychological survival is at stake.

So tantrums are about psychological survival?
No, not all tantrums. Here's how to tell the difference. A manipulative tantrum stops when attention is withdrawn. Survival tantrums are more "locked-in" behavior, and are tougher to diffuse.