Temperament in Australian, American, Chinese, and Greek Infants

Abstract

Ratings of temperament in 4-to 8-month-old infants were compared across four cultural groups (American, Chinese, Australian, and Greek-Australian)using the revised Infant Temperament Questionnaire. Significant differences were found on all dimensions, with American and Australian infants being most alike and Greek and Chinese being very different from these two groups Generally, positive or "easy" temperament profiles characterized American and Australian infants while a "difficult" profile emerged for Greek-Australian infants. Biological and cultural explanations were considered in interpretations of the obtained differences. It is concluded that there are important cultural effects on temperament ratings but that such effects are effects are complex and require more careful investigation.