Reflection Blog #2 for Psych 200

I decided to do my reflection blog on the topic of temperament. I can relate to this topic very much because I am a new grandparent. I have also raised two children to adulthood. This topic is so interesting in the way it covers hereditary and environmental impacts.

I found it interesting to read specifically about how temperament varies within nine categories (Thomas, Chess & Birch 1968).

I learned that temperament emerges during infancy and continues throughout childhood, and is related to the child’s personality traits.  I read about how babies that seem to laugh a lot, tend to be happier in general. They are also able to express their pleasure.

When I had my first child Ryan, from the day he was born he was very calm, content and easy to sooth, a “Cheerful baby”. He was a baby that anyone would babysit, because he was so easy to please. My son had a very stable temperament, this followed him throughout grade school as well. I had my daughter 16 months after my son, and boy was I in for a shock, from the day she was born she was a rather “stormy” baby. My daughter Brittney was not content, she seemed to need constant attention. Whereas my son slept through the night within a few weeks, my daughter would not for a long time. I would like to think that her environment was no different than her brothers, so I think it must have more to do with hereditary. As my daughter grew she proved to be a difficult child all the way through grade school and into High School.

My daughter gave birth to my first grandchild almost a year ago. I would have expected her to have a baby that was difficult to deal with and yet it looks like the temperament pattern is repeating. Her first baby is the easiest baby, so calm and content, always laughing, and when she cries, it is for a reason, unlike her mother.

I wonder how possible environmental impacts could have contributed to the difference of temperament between my two children.

After reading about stability of temperament, I think that temperaments do cross over into adulthood.  To this day my son is very laid back and easy going, and my daughter (although has grown out of the difficult stages) still is more of an outspoken type of person. I remember telling my daughter “Just wait, you will get paybacks” and then it never happened….but she does plan on having more children so she could still be in for surprises.  

 
Thanks for reading!

Judy