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The authors evaluated the trait/state issues of harm avoidance in depressive-spectrum disorders and its predictive potential for antidepressant response. Subjects with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn; DSM-IV) major depressive disorder ( n = 39), dysthymic disorder ( n = 37), depressive personality disorder ( n = 39), and healthy control subjects ( n = 40) were evaluated with the Temperament and Character Inventory and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) at baseline and after a 12 week antidepressant treatment period. Higher harm avoidance scores predicted lesser improvement in subjects with dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder, as determined by lesser decrease in HDRS-17 scores. Mean harm avoidance scores in depressed subjects were consistently greater than those in healthy controls, controlling for age, gender and diagnosis. Mean harm avoidance scores decreased significantly in all depressive-spectrum disorders after treatment, but still remained higher than harm avoidance scores in control subjects. The present study reports that harm avoidance is a reliable predictor of antidepressant treatment in subjects with major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder and that harm avoidance is both trait- and state-dependent in depressive-spectrum disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bipolar dimension of morningness–eveningness refers to the preferred times of day for achieving various activities (i.e. the phase of the circadian clock). It is validated from a biological point of view, associated with at least one gene and heritable through an epistatic mechanism. It has been used as a proxy to study the relationships between the circadian system, personality and psychopathology: there is a correlation between the evening orientation and depression, extraversion and, probably, impulsivity. Furthermore, there is a possible relationship with temperament in children as theorized by Thomas and Chess. In this paper, we expanded on the hypothesis that impulsive subjects are low in morningness by performing a factor analysis of the Composite Scale of Morningness, Cloninger’s temperament and character inventory, and Spielberger’s trait anxiety inventory in a sample of 129 males. The results can probably be extended to women. Morningness is negatively correlated with novelty seeking (which includes an impulsivity facet), positively correlated with persistence, and independent of character dimensions and trait anxiety. Future research may focus in the involvement of the circadian system in these personality dimensions and facets, and the benefits of adding chronotherapic manipulations in the treatment of the personality disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on a translation into Spanish of the Temperament and Character Inventory, a tool designed by C. R. Cloninger to evaluate the seven dimensions defined in his psychobiological model of personality. A study that was conducted to obtain normative data and scales with T-scores in a sample of the Spanish population is discussed. The differences between men and women and the association between age and dimensions were looked at. The scores were standardized and normalized.

Parker G, Hadzi-Pavlovic D, Parker K, Malhi G, Mitchell P, Wilhelm K, Austin M-P. An Australian validation study of the temperament and character inventory. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2003: 108: 359–366. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2003. To assess the validity of the temperament and character inventory (TCI) measure in an Australian sample. A sample of depressed subjects completed the TCI and a measure assessing personality disorder constructs (PDCs), while family members and psychiatrists also returned PDC ratings. Factor analyses generally supported the TCI constructs, when the temperament and character scales were analysed separately. Self-reported PDC scores were validated against corroborative witness ratings and used to assess the TCIs concurrent validity. Validation analyses supported all TCI temperament scales, but the Self-transcendence Character scale was unassociated with PDC scores. The remaining two character scales (i.e. cooperativeness and self-directedness) were non-specifically associated with all PDC scores. Study results support the validity of the TCI scales, but question the best model for conceptualizing the TCI. It is suggested that two character scales quantify disordered functioning, while temperament scales quantify style, constructs that may be inter-related or independent in individual subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parker G, Cheah Y-C, Parker K. Properties of the temperament and character inventory in a Chinese sample. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2003: 108: 367–373. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2003. To determine the influence of language and culture on the temperament and character (TCI) measure in a Chinese sample. We translated the TCI into Mandarin and had a non-psychiatric sample of Malaysian Chinese subjects complete the TCI at baseline and at a 1-month retest, with subsets completing English or Mandarin versions alternatively or on both occasions. Analyses examine the TCI factor structure and any impact of language and culture on TCI scoring. We identified age, gender, occupation and language effects on TCI scale scores. Test–retest reliability was high and not compromised by language. Scale internal consistency was also high. Factor analyses of separate sets of TCI scales corresponded strongly to the structure identified in the TCI development studies. The results indicate that TCI is likely to have applicability to Chinese subjects, and argue against properties being constrained by the English language or by western culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen individuals who stutter and 14 individuals who do not stutter were presented with 10 bursts of white noise to assess the magnitude of their eyeblink responses as a measure of temperament. Both the magnitude of the eyeblink response to the initial noise burst and the mean of the 10 responses were significantly greater for the stuttering group. The Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis (R. M. Taylor & L. P. Morrison, 1996) did not distinguish between the two groups, but informal follow-up statistics indicated that the Nervous subscale showed a significant group difference. Scores on this subscale were also significantly positively correlated with the magnitude of the startle response. A discriminant analysis demonstrated that although both the startle response and the nervous trait differentiated the two groups, the startle response measures were more powerful in making this differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the relation between sex, social status, and temperament on preschool-aged children. Use of sociometeric interviews; Display of difficult temperament among children; Level of adaptability of children.

ABSTRACT. Two studies are reported. One examined the reliability and validity of a brief scale to measure children's temperament; the other tested the relationship of early temperament and the development of asthma. In Study 1, principal caretakers of 46 4- to 7-year-olds, usually the mothers, filled out questionnaires containing the Brief Scale of Temperament (BST) and the Behavioral Style Questionnaire. The caretakers did this twice, about 1 week apart. The first time the children's recent temperament was assessed, and the second time past (> 1 year) temperament was assessed. Internal consistency and correlational analyses revealed substantial reliability and validity for BST assessments of recent and past temperament. Study 2 incorporated the BST in a large-scale survey of 325 families, with parents providing data on their children's asthma and temperament. BST assessments of early (past) temperament were made retrospectively regarding the child's first few years. Comparisons of early temperament revealed no differences between children who developed asthma and those who did not in their overall scores on the BST or for any of the temperament characteristics it measures. In addition, correlational analyses of data for asthmatics showed that early temperament was not related to ratings of the severity of the asthma condition the children developed or the impacts of any of 12 specific asthma triggers, including any involving emotional states, such as stress or worry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Current studies show an important role of affective temperament in sport performance. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the use of the TEMPS-A scale, by using it to examine five dimensions of affective temperament in three groups of athletes. We hypothesized that temperament may be a predisposing factor to the level of commitment and type of training. Materials and methods: The study group (N:71, 33 female) consisted of professional canoeists (N:25, aged 18–30), sports pilots (N:21, aged 19–57) and non-professionals regularly performing aerobic exercises (N:25, aged 23–33). The Affective Temperament of Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) was used to evaluate affective temperament dimensions. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests. Results: The TEMPS_A scale shows good internal consistency; a hyperthymic temperament was associated with different factors compared to other temperament traits. The most prevalent trait in the study group was hyperthymic temperament. The study group scored higher on hyperthymic and lower on depressive and anxious temperaments when compared with the general population. Canoeists scored higher on cyclothymic temperament compared with non-professional athletes and on cyclothymic and irritable dimensions in comparison with pilots. Pilots obtained significantly lower scores on irritable and anxious temperaments than non-professional athletes. Females scored higher on both hyperthymic and irritable dimensions. No significant differences were found in respect of depressive, cyclothymic and anxious traits. Age was negatively correlated with cyclothymic and irritable temperament scores. Conclusions: TEMPS-A scale is a useful tool for assessing affective temperament in athletes. The results suggest that affective temperament may be a factor influencing physical activity engagement. Different types of activities may be connected with different temperament dimensions. Younger athletes present a higher tendency to mood lability and sensitivity to environmental factors. However, further research is needed, involving larger numbers of subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper suggests a method for identifying individuals who are most suited to using virtual reality (VR) systems. The aim is to help both an individual or employer to decide where that individual's skills and abilities would be best deployed. By considering a potential user's competence and temperament, a graphical representation is introduced that may then be used to crudely delineate a high-aptitude participant against those with lesser capabilities. By introducing standard tests for competence and a standard classifier for temperament, and by further weighting each measure with respect to the technology currently available and the application, a detailed representation of the effectiveness of different users is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the role of regional differences in the benzodiazepine system in mediating individual differences in fearfulness. Relation between asymmetrical changes in scalp-recorded regional brain activity in response to diazepam and temperamental dimension of behavioral inhibition; Relative left-sided frontal activation in response to diazepam.

This study investigated the tractor replicability of a 54-item, multitractorial, self-report measure of temperament for a cross-validational sample of young adults. A 10-factor model specification was supported via maximum likelihood exploratory tractor analysis. Congruence coefficients and pattern similarity indices provided support for the configurational similarity of the tractor loading patterns of the two samples trot 8 of the 10 factors. High congruity was found for the factors of Activity Level-General, Activity Level-Sleep, Approach/Withdrawal, Flexibility-Rigidity, Mood, Rhythmicity-Sleep, Rhythmicity-Sleep, Rhythmicity-Eating, and Distractibility. Items related to a distinct Persistence factor in the original sample loaded on the Distractibility tractor in the cross-validation sample. Also, Rhythmicity-Daily Habits did not retain its factor integrity in the cross-validation sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study investigated the interinventory relations of constructs measured by the Revised Dimensions of Temperament Survey (DOTS-R), the Emotionality, Activity, Sociability, Impulsivity (EASI-II) temperament measure, and Eysenck's Personality Inventory (EPI). The zero-order correlational data collected from 153 college students provided concurrent validity for the DOTS-R attributes in relation to the EASI-II and EPI traits. Neuroticism was negatively correlated with the DOTS-R attributes of (low) distractibility, approach-withdrawal, flexibility-rigidity, mood quality, and two rhythmicity dimensions; extraversion was positively correlated with activity level-general approach-withdrawal, flexibility-rigidity, and mood quality. Moderate-to-high correlations were found between similarly labeled attributes of the three inventories and low correlations were generally found between dissimilarly labeled attributes. Multiple regression analysis, used to determine the degree of independence/redundancy among similarly labeled dimensions of the three measurement instruments, indicated a moderate degree of convergence among some of the attributes of the three measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stability and interactions between children's behavioural styles (i.e. the temperament dimensions sociability, negative emotionality, and activity) and maternal child-rearing attitudes were studied in a random sample of 507 three-year-old children over a three-year interval. Structural equation modelling indicated low to moderate stability for children's temperament dimensions and mothers’ child-rearing attitudes. In addition, gender-specific interactions were found. In boys, negative emotionality and low sociability potentiated a strict disciplinary style of the mother, whereas activity was more likely to be stimulated by a mother's low tolerance towards the child. By contrast, in girls a mother's strict disciplinary style predicted negative emotionality and low sociability, whereas the girl's activity predicted a strict disciplinary style of the mother. These findings underline the close interaction between temperament and mothering during childhood. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a comment on the special issue of tile European Journal of Personality on Factor V from the Five-Factor Model, I argue that attempts to arrive cat a definitive interpretation are premature in view of that attempts of the item pools that have been used, arbitrariness in choosing criteria for item selection, and limitations of sample sizes. At prevent, the best tentative interpretation of V is Creativity/Imagination. However, the relation of this concept to the domain of measured intelligence should be reconsidered. The joint study of temperament (Factors I and IV), character (II and 111), and intelligence factors should provide insight into the fascinating blends that arise between these dimensions. Such blends are captured by the Abridged Big-Five Dimensional Circumplex approach to personality structure in a parsimonious manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a revised Strelau Temperament Inventory (STI-R) is reported. It is assumed that the STI-R provides a measure of the basic central nervous system (CNS) properties (strength of excitation, strength of inhibition, and mobility of the CNS) as understood by Pavlov. On the basis of a series of studies, the development of the final forms of the revised STI has undergone several steps. The following forms have been elaborated: (1) a 252-item pilot form of the STI-R; (2) a 166-item STI-R with ‘yes’and ‘no’ answer format; (3) a short form (84 items) of the STI, R (STI-RS) with ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answer format; (4) a 166-item STI-R with a 4-point Likert scale; and (5) an 84-item STI-RS with a 4.point rating scale. The psychometric characteristics of the consecutive versions of the revised STI improved from step to step, and in general these characteristics are judged as being satisfactory. Especially recommended by the authors are versions (4) and (5), which have, among other things, the highest reliability scores. They are regarded as the final forms of the STI-R and STI-RS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews research that has used the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS; Brazelton, 1984) as an intervention. It discusses separately the various effects NBAS intervention has been found to have in areas such as parent-infant interaction, infant development, temperament, and parental attitudes and satisfaction. Inconsistent findings are noted in each of these areas. This article then addresses issues that may play a role in the effectiveness of NBAS intervention, including the risk status of the population, the intensity of the intervention, and the receptivity of the parent. It concludes by suggesting that realistic goals be so! concerning the expectations for early, short-term intervention such as the NBAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the construct validity of scores on the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire (STQ), which was designed to measure eight dimensions of human temperament. Comparison of the three-factor and nine-factor solutions to the theoretical structure of the instrument; Presentation of support for the three-dimensional structure of the STQ items.

Presents a study on the relation between temperament and five dimensions of personality conducted by a researcher from the Iowa State University. Correlation between two emotionality scales of the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire (STQ) and six facets of the Extroversion scale of the NEO-Personality Inventory (NEO-PI).

Investigates the relations among popular measures of neonatal stress and their link to subsequent temperaments. Response of full-term newborn infants to a heelstick blood draw; Baseline and heelstick measures of behavioral state, heart period, vagal tone and salivary cortisol; Recovery measures of behavioral and cardiac activity; Reflection of better neurobehavioral organization.

To explicate Kinston's seven-style ethical decision typology, relationships between styles and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter were examined. All three factors underlying the ethicals styles were related in theoretically distinct ways to the character types identified by the Sorter. Overall, the ethical decision styles appear to be an elegant elaboration of the decision making (T-F) distinction within the Sorter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this essay the Head of the National Institute's Vocational Guidance Department, now also Senior Psychologist to the Admiralty, examines a problem which concerns the relationship between occupational psychologists and psychiatrists interested in the twin problems of personnel selection and vocational guidance. He advocates the mingling, rather than the differentiation, of their functiong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated a mediating role of meta-cognitions in the relationship between Cloninger's temperament and character dimensions and hallucination proneness among healthy subjects (n=135). Two character dimensions—self-directedness and self-transcendence—were related to hallucination proneness. Negative beliefs about uncontrollability of thoughts partially mediated the relationship between these two character dimensions and hallucination proneness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study which assesses the relative and combined importance of eight such variables for the prediction of persistent criminal behavior in a group of young adult property offenders. In a multiple correlation problem with eight independent variables and recidivism as the criterion, the hypothesis of no significant beta coefficient was rejected for age at incarceration, presence or absence of juvenile conviction, and adult convictions. The hypothesis was upheld for last grade completed, age left school, Factors R, Restraint, and E, Emotional Stability, of the Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey, and Otis IQ. The joint contribution of the independent variables was highly significant but accounted for only 13% of the criterion variance.

This article presents an evaluation of the Johnson temperament analysis. The Johnson Temperament Analysis is one of a battery of tests administered to all new students of Green Mountain Junior College during the first week of college in September 1945. It is the questionnaire type of test and consists of 182 questions. According to the Manual of Directions a person's temperament consists of his more fundamental characteristic behavior tendencies. The Manual states further that the scores on the test may be used in vocational guidance, in diagnosis of some principal factors in faulty relationships, as an aid to psychiatric and psychological diagnosis, to detect school individuals in need of personal counseling, in mate selection, and in treatment of temperament faults.

Air Commodore R. D. Gillespie, Consultant in Neuropsychiatry to the R.A.F., here replies to an article on the same subject by Mr. Alec Rodger, Senior Psychologist to the Admiralty, published in this Journal. Fully admitting the valuable services which the psychologist can render to the psychiatrist not only in vocational problems but also in psychological medicine in general, he describes certain advantages which the psychiatrist enjoys in the fields of vocational guidance and selection, and urges that recent advances in our knowledge of temperament have come mainly from the studies of medical psychologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "What Do We Mean By Temperament"? Can We Reliably Measure It in Adult Dogs, and Is It Valuable in the Context of Re-Homing Facilities?" The terms temperament, personality, individual difference and behavioural style are defined. There are ways to assess temperament in the domestic dog. Temperament testing of adult dogs is employed in the selection of individuals for different working tasks.

The section presents an abstract of the study "Applying Selection Pressure for Appropriate Reactivity," by Paul D. McGreevy. One of the most challenging domains for veterinarians is the modification of problems linked to the behaviour of dogs. Majority of breeders are committed to the welfare of their dogs but they have little opportunity to exert selection pressure for traits that directly relate to dog welfare and adaptability to modern contexts. Performance-test breeding animals as companions in family homes is important. Temperament tests can be used as tools to examine the gene sequences responsible for sound temperaments.

The article comments on Air Commodore R. D. Gillespie's reply to an article about the problem encountered by psychologists during war conditions. The author claims that Gillespie must have avoided unnecessary miscommunication by dealing on the important issues in the journal. He rather suggests some questions which Gillespie must have considered in his reply like his approval or disapproval to the main topics discussed. He adds that the inquiries about intellect and temperament which are both required by occupations are left unanswered.