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Hard Temperament: Biologically Based Individual Differences

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Social withdrawal comprises of shyness, reticence, and social inhibition, and it involves avoidance of social interaction with familiar and unfamiliar peers and adults (Kiel & Buss, 2011). As discussed in the three articles, social withdrawal is the result of negative parenting of a child with difficult temperament. Temperament is defined as biologically based individual differences in style of approach and response to the environment (van den Akker, Dekovic, Prinzie & Asscher, 2010). Children can be classified on their temperament as introvert and/or extrovert. Introvert characteristics include being very self-aware, thoughtful, emotionally private, quiet and reserved. Extrovert traits include but are not limited to assertiveness, talkativeness, …show more content…

Using the Likert scale, the ‘child’s difficult temperament and mothers’ parenting styles’ article also required the mother to answer questions about the parenting styles used with the child. Even though the results indicate that the mother’s protective behaviour (control) results in the child having difficult temperament, other study findings about the relations between temperament and parenting styles haven’t been consistent. Some studies show difficult temperament to be associated with more negative parenting and intrusive behaviour (Sanson & Rothbart, 1995) while others suggest difficult temperament to be linked to higher maternal involvement and positive parenting. As discussed by Sanson & Rothbart (1995) they found mothers displayed more intrusive behaviour when they were embarrassed by their toddler’s displays of shyness. Intrusive behaviour in no dangerous situation will have negative outcomes for inhibited toddlers, instead parents should display gentle encouragement and sensitivity to get the child to do an activity (Kiel & Buss,

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