| Places to Go |
| |
|
|
|
| Things to do at this site |
|
|
|
| Stability & Change in Temperament |
How stable is a person's
temperament profile? |
Longitudinal studies are intended to determine whether individual differences in temperament tend to stay the
same over time. This is important to show that the characteristics are internally based, not just a reflection
of environmental influences.
The first demonstration of stability was reported by Thomas, Chess and associates in the New York Longitudinal Study. These researchers
showed significant stability in first five years of life with their sample, using the nine NYLS temperament categories.
Since then a number of researchers have studied stability, including most of the different temperament dimensions in the various frameworks
proposed by the main temperament theories. On the whole, they tend to find short-term stability (month to month, up to 6 month intervals
depending on the measures used) in the first two years of life with gradually increasing stability after that. By age 5 temperament seems
to be stable over periods of one year or more. It continues to be stable through adulthood.
One notable long term longitudinal study was conducted by Guerin and Gottfried & associates at California State University, Fullerton. These investigators
followed a sample of 130 subjects from 1.0 years through 17 years of age, assessing temperament every 6 months until 3.5 years and annually thereafter. The
subjects were assessed using temperament questionnaires, but also observed at home and in the laboratory at multiple intervals. Results
showed that temperament ratings showed a "moderate, indeed impressive, degree of stability from infancy through adolescence."
Longitudinal studies can also be done to follow a group of children to see what types of problems can occur later. A well known example of this is Windle's
study showing that shy children are more likely to participate in substance use as teenagers. |
|
| |
| Home | Parents | Students | Researchers | Clinicians | Resources |
|
|
| Key Issues: |
| |
| Biological basis |
|
Traits can be similar in families
and also similar for individuals with genetic similarities... |
| More>> |
|
| |
| Measuring temperament |
 |
How do we know?
There are several ways to assess temperament, including interview, direct observation and questionnaires. |
|
Each method has advantages
and disadvantages, depending on the questions being asked... |
| More>> |
|
| |
| How stable? |
|
A number of studies have looked at
whether temperament stays constant over time... |
| More>> |
|
| |
| Dimensions of temperament |
|
for conceptualizing temperament
variables that lead to differences in concepts and the gathering of evidence to support them. |
| More>> |
|
|
