What is Temperament?

The concept of temperament refers to physiologically innate characteristics that result in patterns of behavior and emotional reactivity that remain stable over a variety of situations and throughout an individual's lifetime. For example, Julie and Dylan's mother was aware even during her children's infancy that they were quite different. Julie was expressive, seemed to want to make contact with others, and to relate to things and people around her. Dylan, on the other hand, was quiet, calm, and seemed more inwardly focused. But their mom didn't understand that the different character traits she saw in her children were the result of inborn character differences; in this case, the differences of extraversion and introversion. Consequently she has always worried that Dylan is not quite measuring up.

• Introversion and Extraversion
• Information Processing
• Responding Positively To Your Teen's Temperament
• References