Elsevier

Infant Behavior and Development

Volume 20, Issue 3, July–September 1997, Pages 339-347
Infant Behavior and Development

Gender differences in temperament at six months and five years

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-6383(97)90005-9Get rights and content

Abstract

This investigation was designed to help clarify the literature on gender differences in temperament. A birth cohort was sampled at 6 months and at 5 years. Gender differences in factor structure were not expected and were not found. Large and significant gender differences were obtained for the infant sample for Distress to Novelty, with smaller differences obtained for Biological Irregularity and Stimulation Threshold. In all cases girls had higher (less socially desirable) scores than boys. For the preschool sample, gender differences were obtained for Activity Level and Nonadaptability (boys higher), and for Threshold (girls rated as more sensitive). No moderating effects of family or maternal characteristics were obtained.

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