Development of personality STUDIES!

Thomas, Chess and Birch (1977) - TEMPERAMENT

Aim: see whether ways of responding to environment stay stable throughout life

Method: 133 children studied from infancy to early adulthood. Kids' behaviour was observed and their parents were interviewed. Parents were asked about child's routine and its reactions to change.

Results: Kids fell into 3 types - easy, difficult or slow to warm up. Easy children were happy, flexible and regular. Difficult children were demanding, inflexible and cried a lot. Slow to warm up didn't respond well to change or new experiences to begin with, but once they adapted they were usually happy.

Conc: 3 ways of responding stayed with them as developed. Temperament is innate.

Eysenck (1947) - PERSONALITY

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