Temperament as defined here refers to individual
differences in behavioral style, the study of which follow from
the work of Alexander Thomas and Stella Chess and colleagues in
the New York Longitudinal Study which began in the 1950s. This page
is not limited to just that work, however; it includes other models
and frameworks that have grown out of the initial studies.
This website is intended as a clearinghouse for
research and practical information about temperamental characteristics
to be used by parents, students, professionals and others who
have an interest in behavioral individuality.
Temperament.com is about behavioral
individuality in infants, children and adults.
Just as babies are born with their own combination of
physical characteristics such as hair and eye color, skin
tone, and physique, behavioral scientists know that each
one has patterns of behavior, or temperament, that are
also part of their uniqueness.
Dear Kate,
Our first child was an absolutely
happy baby and is still a happy, well-behaved five-year-old. Our
second one, Derek, is now two and has always been a "crybaby"....
