Date of Award
12-1-2015
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
DiLalla, Lisabeth
Abstract
This study explored the utility of the Infant Behavior Record (IBR) as an observational measure of children’s temperament. It was expected that IBR ratings would be associated with parent-rated measures of temperament, that both measures of temperament would show stability over time, and that both measures would show evidence of heritability. Data from 40 families involved in the Southern Illinois Twins/Triplets and Siblings Study (SITSS) at ages 1, 2, and 3 years were examined. Results indicated that there were some associations between IBR items and factors on parent-rated temperament questionnaires. Parent measures showed significant evidence of heritability and stability over time, but there was little evidence of stability and heritability for IBR ratings. These results suggest that the IBR and parent-rated temperament questionnaires may be measuring different constructs. It appears that the IBR ratings measured state-like behavior in the novel environment of the laboratory setting, whereas the parent-rated questionnaires measured stable trait-like behavior.
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