Abstract
Research centers in various countries have formulated different theoretical viewpoints and methodological approaches to the diagnosis of temperament, to the definition of categories of temperament, and the rating schemes used to identify the categories. But no matter what the conceptual scheme and methodological techniques may be, a crucial question arises. How do we formulate the mechanism or mechanisms through which temperament exerts its influence on the psychological development of the individual from early childhood into adult life? In other words, given any diagnostic system of temperament, how do we examine its functional importance and its relationship to the values, demands, and expectations of the culture in which the person lives? A conceptual framework that serves as a basis for analyzing the dynamics of the influence of specific temperamental characteristics on any individual’s life course gives us the ability to use our diagnosis of temperament in a number of important ways. We can counsel parents and teachers as to the best approach to children, which will vary according to the child’s temperament. We can identify high-risk patterns of parent-child interaction, and intervene to prevent or treat more effectively the behavior disorders of children. Older children and adults can use their knowledge of their own temperaments to channel their behavior to achieve more effectively their personal and career goals.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Carey, W.B. Night wakening and temperament in infancy. Journal of Pediatrics, 1974, 81, 823–828.
Cattell, R.B. Personality: A systematic theoretical and factual study. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1950.
Chess, S., & Thomas, A. Origins and evolution of behavior disorders. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1984.
Chess, S., & Thomas, A. Temperament in clinical practice. New York: Guilford, 1986.
Ciba Foundation Symposium 89. Temperamental differences in infants and young children. London: Pitman, 1982.
Dubos, R. Man adapting. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1965.
Eliasz, A. Transactional model of temperament. In J. Strelau (Ed.). Temperamental bases of behavior: Warsaw studies on individual differences. Lisse: S wets & Zeitlinger, 1985.
Guilford, J.P. Personality. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1959.
Hunt, J.M. Implications of plasticity and hierarchical achievements for the assessment of development and risk of mental retardation. In D.B. Sarwin, R.C. Hawkins, L.O. Walker, & J.H. Penticuff (Eds.). Exceptional infant. Vol. 4. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1980.
Maziade, M., Caperaa, P., Laplante, B., Boudreault, H., Thivierge, J., Cote, R., & Boutin, P. Value of difficult temperament among 7 year-olds in the general population for predicting psychiatric diagnosis at age 12. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1985, 142, 943–946.
Murphy, L.B. Explorations in child personality. In A.I. Rabin, J. Aronoff, A.M. Barclay, & R.A. Zucker (Eds.). Further explorations in personality. New York: Wiley, 1981.
Strelau, J. Temperament—personality—activity. London: Academic Press, 1983.
Thomas, A., & Chess, S. Temperament and development. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1977.
Thomas, A., & Chess, S. Dynamics of psychological development. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1980.
Torgersen, A.M., & Kringlen, E. Genetic aspects of temperamental differences in infants. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 1978, 17, 433–444.
de Vries, M. Temperament and infant mortality among the Masai of East Africa. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1984, 141, 1189–1194.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Chess, S., Thomas, A. (1991). Temperament and the Concept of Goodness of Fit. In: Strelau, J., Angleitner, A. (eds) Explorations in Temperament. Perspectives on Individual Differences. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0643-4_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0643-4_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0645-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0643-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive