A 6-month-old infant shows frequent fussiness, irregular sleep patterns, and negative reactions to new toys and people. Based on Thomas and Chess's temperament dimensions, how would you best classify this infant?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In this question, we’re applying Thomas and Chess’s temperament dimensions to classify an infant based on observable patterns of behavior.
Option 1: 'Mixed temperament' — This would suggest a blend of traits across the dimension, with no single dominant pattern. The vignette emphasizes persistent fussiness, irregular sleep, and avoidance of novelty, which aligns more clearly with a single, identifiable pattern rather than a mixed profile.
Option 2: 'Difficult temperament' — This choice describes infants who are highly irregular in routines, have intense reactions to new people and situations, and show negative mood or withdrawal to novelty. The described fussiness, irregular sleep, and negative responses to new toys and people fit this classical pattern of heightened reactivity and lower adaptability.
Option 3: 'Slow-to-warm temperament' — This pattern refers to infants who are more cautious or wary of novelty, but with a gradual approach, typically showing milder reactivity and slower adaptation. The strong fussiness and negative reactions to new stimuli in the vignette point away from the slow-to-warm profile, which would be characterized by initial withdrawal rather than persistent negativity.
Option 4: 'Easy temperament' — Easy infants are typically regular, adaptable, with positive mood and quick adaptation to new experiences. The infant in the scenario exhibits irregular sleep and negative reactions to novelty, which contradicts the easy temperament profile.
Overall, the behavioral cues described—high irritability, irregular routines, and negative responses to unfamiliar people and objects—most consistently map onto the 'Difficult temperament' category, reflecting high reactivity and low adaptability.

A 6-month-old infant shows frequent fussiness, irregular sleep patterns, and negative reactions to new toys and people. Based on Thomas and Chess's temperament dimensions, how would you best classify this infant?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

In a study of temperament, an 18-month-old infant is found to have a "difficult" temperament style. This means that:

One-year-old Kiara has an easy temperament and generally exhibits a positive mood. When was Kiara's temperament first evident?

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

Under the assumptions used in cost-volume-profit analysis, as the activity increases:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler