Continuity and Discontinuity of Behavioral Inhibition and Exuberance: Psychophysiological and Behavioral Influences across the First Four Years of Life.

Examined behavioral inhibition and psychophysiological markers of frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry for children identified at 4 months as at-risk for later inhibition. Found that 4-month temperament predicted inhibition over first 2 years and behavioral reticence at 4. Infants remaining inhibited displayed EEG asymmetry as early as 9 months. Changes in inhibition were related to nonparental care. (KB)