Temperamental Characteristics
Nine categories of reactivity derived from content of parental interviews.
ACTIVITY LEVEL – describes the level, tempo and frequency with which a motor component is present in the child’s functioning.
RHYTHMICITY – describes the regularity of repetitive biological functions.
APPROACH FOR WITHDRAWAL – describes the child’s first reaction to any new object or event.
ADAPTABILITY – ease or difficulty with which a child’s first reaction to a new object or event can be modified in a direction desired by others. This category focuses on a sequence of responses rather than on a first response.
INTENSITY OF REACTION – describes forcefulness of response, regardless of direction (positive or negative).
THRESHOLD OF RESPONSIVENESS – describes level of stimulation needed to call forth an observable response (“muchness”).
QUALITY OF MOOD – describes the amount of pleasant, out-reaching behavior as compared to unpleasant, unfriendly behavior.
DISTRACTIBILITY – describes the effectiveness of external events in changing the pattern of on-going behavior.
ATTENTION SPAN AND PERSISTENCE – length of time child continues with an activity and his ability to continue an activity in spite of obstacles (two related abilities).
