Temperament Traits
| Dimensions | Typical Behavioral Indicator | The Adult… | The Child… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Activity LevelActivity Level refers to the general level of motor activity when one is awake or asleep. Motor activity involves large and small muscle movement like running, jumping, rolling over, holding a crayon, picking up toys. etc. | High Activity | has difficulty sitting still. | is squirmy and active. |
| Low Activity | sits back quietly and prefers sedentary activities. | prefers less noise and movement. | |
| 2 DistractibilityDistractibility is the ease with which one can be distracted, or, conversely, his level of concentration or focus | High Distractibility | has difficulty concentrating, paying attention when engaged in an activity and is easily distracted by sounds or sights during activities. | is very distracted by discomfort, noticing even small signals of discomfort such as hunger, being sleepy, etc. |
| Low Distractibility | has a high degree of concentration, pays attention when engaged in an activity and is not easily distracted by sounds or sights during activities. | can handle discomfort, does not seem very bothered at all. | |
| 3 IntensityIntensity refers to the energy level of one’s emotional response both positive and negative | Intensity refers to the energy level of one’s emotional response both positive and negative | High Intensity | has strong/intense positive and negative reactions. |
| Low Intensity | has muted emotional reactions. | ||
| 4 RegularityRegularity relates to the predictability of biological functions such as eating, sleeping, etc. | Regularity relates to the predictability of biological functions such as eating, sleeping, etc. | Highly Regular | has predictable appetite, sleep and elimination patterns. |
| Irregular | has unpredictable appetite, sleep and elimination patterns. | ||
| 5 SensitivitySensitivity describes how sensitive one is to physical stimuli such as light, sound and textures. | Sensitivity describes how sensitive one is to physical stimuli such as light, sound and textures. | High Sensitivity | is sensitive to physical stimuli including sounds, tastes, touch and temperature changes; is a picky eater and has difficulty sleeping in a strange bed. |
| Low Sensitivity | is not sensitive to physical stimuli, including sounds, tastes, touch and temperature changes; can fall asleep anywhere and tries new foods easily. | ||
| 6 ApproachabilityApproachability is one’s initial response to new places, situations, or things | Approachability is one’s initial response to new places, situations, or things | High Approaching | eagerly approaches new situations or people. |
| Low Approaching | is hesitant and resistant when faced with new situations, people or things. | ||
| 7 AdaptabilityAdaptability describes how easily a one adjusts to changes and transitions | High Adaptability | transitions easily to new activities and situations. | requires very small amount of time to feel ok in new situations . |
| Low Adaptability | needs more time for transitioning to new activities or situations. | child may cry or stay close to caregiver before approaching a new situation. | |
| 8 PersistencePersistence relates to the length of time one continues in activities in the face of obstacles | Persistence relates to the length of time one continues in activities in the face of obstacles | High Persistence | continues with a task or activity in the face of obstacles and does not get easily frustrated. |
| Low Persistence | moves on to a new task or activity when faced with obstacles and gets frustrated easily. | ||
| 9 MoodMood is one’s tendency to react to the world primarily in a positive or negative way | Mood is one’s tendency to react to the world primarily in a positive or negative way | Positive Mood | reacts to the world in a positive way and is generally cheerful. |
| Serious Mood | reacts to situations in an observant, sometimes more serious way. Tends to be thoughtful about new situations. |