Editing Temperament (section)

==Causal and correlating factors==
===Biological basis for temperament===
Scientists seeking evidence of a biological basis of personality have examined the relationship between temperament and [[neurotransmitter system]]s<ref>Depue, R. & Fu, Y. (2012) Neurobiology and neurochemistry of temperament in adults. In: Zentner, M. & Shiner, R. (Eds.) Handbook of Temperament. NY: Guilford Publications, 368-399. (2012).</ref><ref name=FET>{{cite book|year=2016|last1=Trofimova|first1=IN|chapter=The interlocking between functional aspects of activities and a neurochemical model of adult temperament |editor=Arnold, M.C. |title=Temperaments: Individual Differences, Social and Environmental Influences and Impact on Quality of Life |location=New York |publisher=[[Nova Science Publishers]]|pages=77–147}}</ref><ref name=TroRob>{{cite journal|year=2016| last1=Trofimova|first1=IN|last2=Robbins|first2=TW|title=Temperament and arousal systems: a new synthesis of differential psychology and functional neurochemistry|journal=Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews|volume=64|pages=382–402| doi=10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.03.008| pmid=26969100| hdl=11375/26202| s2cid=13937324| url=https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/274784|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name=Tro2018>{{cite journal|year=2018|last1=Trofimova|first1=IN|title=Functionality vs dimensionality in psychological taxonomies, and a puzzle of emotional valence |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences | volume=373|issue=1744|pages=20170167|doi=10.1098/rstb.2017.0167|pmid=29483351|pmc=5832691}}</ref> and character (defined in this context as developmental aspects of personality). Temperament is hypothesized to be associated with biological factors, but these have proven to be complex and diverse,<ref name=Kagan/><ref name=FET/> and biological correlations have proven hard to confirm.<ref name=Kagan/>

===Temperament vs. psychiatric disorders ===

Several psychiatrists and differential psychologists have suggested that temperament and mental illness represent varying degrees along the same continuum of neurotransmitter imbalances in neurophysiological systems of behavioral regulation.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1098/rstb.2017.0168|pmid=29483352|pmc=5832692|title=Assessing the continuum between temperament and affective illness: Psychiatric and mathematical perspectives|journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences|volume=373|issue=1744|pages=20170168|year=2018|last1=Sulis|first1=W.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|pmc=4370336|year=2014|last1=Watson|first1=D|title=Personality, Emotions, and the Emotional Disorders|journal=Clinical Psychological Science|volume=2|issue=4|pages=422–442|last2=Naragon-Gainey|first2=K|doi=10.1177/2167702614536162|pmid=25815243}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1186/s12888-018-1695-x|pmid=29747614|pmc=5946468|title=There is more to mental illness than negative affect: Comprehensive temperament profiles in depression and generalized anxiety|journal=BMC Psychiatry|volume=18|issue=1|pages=125|year=2018|last1=Trofimova|first1=I.|last2=Sulis|first2=W |doi-access=free }}</ref>

In fact, the original four types of temperament (choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic and sanguine) suggested by [[Hippocrates]] and [[Galen]] resemble mild forms of types of psychiatric disorders described in modern classifications. Moreover, Hippocrates-Galen hypothesis of chemical imbalances as factors of consistent individual differences has also been validated by research in neurochemistry and psychopharmacology, though modern studies attribute this to different compounds. Many studies have examined the relationships between temperament traits (such as impulsivity, sensation seeking, neuroticism, endurance, plasticity, sociability or extraversion) and various neurotransmitter and hormonal systems (i.e., the very same systems implicated in mental disorders).

Even though temperament and psychiatric disorders can be presented as, correspondingly, weak and strong imbalances within the same regulatory systems, it is incorrect to say that temperament is a weak degree of these disorders. Temperament might be a disposition to develop a mental disorder, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed marker for disorders.

===Family life===

====Influences====
Most experts agree that temperament has a [[genetics|genetic]] and [[biology|biological]] basis, although environmental factors and maturation modify the ways a child's personality is expressed.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEU-az-NzTc Development of Temperament Symposium (2008)]. Philoctetes Center, New York; with panelists Sue Carter, Francis Champagne, [[Susan Coates]], Ed Nercessian, Donald Pfaff, [[Daniel Schechter]], Nadia Bruschweiler Stern</ref> The term "goodness of fit" refers to the match or mismatch between temperament and other personal characteristics and the specific features of the environment. Differences of temperament or behavior styles between individuals are important in family life. They affect the interactions among family members. While some children can adapt quickly and easily to family routines and get along with siblings, others who are more active or intense may have a difficult time adjusting. The interactions between these children and their parents or siblings are among a number of factors that can lead to stress and friction within the family.

The temperament mix between parents and children also affects family life.  For example, a slow-paced parent may be irritated by a highly active child; or if both parent and child are highly active and intense, conflict could result. This knowledge can help parents figure out how temperaments affect family relationships. What may appear to be a behavioral problem may actually be a mismatch between the parent's temperament and their child's. By taking a closer look at the nine traits that Thomas and Chess revealed from their study, parents can gain a better understanding of their child's temperament and their own. Parents may also notice that situational factors cause a child's temperament to seem problematic; for example, a child with low rhythmicity can cause difficulties for a family with a highly scheduled life, and a child with a high activity level may be difficult to cope with if the family lives in a crowded apartment upstairs from sensitive neighbors.

Parents can encourage new behaviors in their children, and with enough support a ''slow-to-warm-up'' child can become less shy, or a ''difficult'' baby can become easier to handle. More recently infants and children with temperament issues have been called "spirited" to avoid negative connotations of "''difficult''" and "''slow to warm up''". Numerous books have been written advising parents how to raise their spirited youngsters.

====Understanding for improvement====
Understanding a child's temperament can help reframe how parents interpret children's behavior and the way parents think about the reasons for behaviors. By parents having access to this knowledge now helps them to guide their child in ways that respect the child's individual differences. By understanding children's temperaments and our own helps adults to work with them rather than try to change them. It is an opportunity to anticipate and understand a child's reaction. It is also important to know that temperament does not excuse a child's unacceptable behavior, but it does provide direction to how parents can respond to it. Making small and reasonable accommodations to routines can reduce tension. For example, a child who is slow-paced in the mornings may need an extra half-hour to get ready. Knowing who or what may affect the child's behavior can help to alleviate potential problems. Although children obtain their temperament behaviors innately, a large part that helps determine a child's ability to develop and act in certain ways is determined by the parents. When a parent takes the time to identify and more importantly respond to the temperaments they are faced with in a positive way it will help them guide their child in trying to figure out the world.

Recognizing the child's temperament and helping them to understand how it impacts his/her life as well as others is important. It is just as important for parents to recognize their own temperaments. Recognizing each individual's temperament, will help to prevent and manage problems that may arise from the differences among family members.

Temperament continues into adulthood, and later studies by Chess and Thomas have shown that these characteristics continue to influence behavior and adjustment throughout the life-span.

In addition to the initial clinical studies, academic psychologists have developed an interest in the field and researchers such as Bates, Buss & Plomin, [[Jerome Kagan|Kagan]], [[Vladimir Rusalov|Rusalov]], [[Robert Cloninger|Cloninger]], Trofimova and Rothbart have generated large bodies of research in the areas of [[personality psychology|personality]], [[neuroscience]], and [[behavioural genetics|behavioral genetics]].