Final answer:
Temperament refers to inborn, genetic personality traits that manifest early in life and are shaped by reactivity and self-regulation. While historically linked to bodily humors, current psychology views it through a biological and psychological lens, acknowledging both genetic and environmental influences on an individual's behavior and personality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperament is commonly recognized as the inherent part of an individual's personality that originates from genetics and is observable early in life. Researchers like Thomas and Chess categorized infant temperaments into three types: easy, difficult, or slow to warm up. These categories reflect how the child interacts with their environment, showing a range of behaviors from positive emotion and adaptability in 'easy' children, to more challenging behaviors in 'difficult' children.
Temperament is marked by two dimensions: reactivity and self-regulation. Reactivity is how individuals respond to new or challenging stimuli, while self-regulation is the ability to control responses. Environmental factors and parenting styles can further influence the expression of these innate temperament traits.
The concept of temperament dates back to Hippocrates and was later developed by Galen who associated temperament with bodily 'humors.' This view evolved and was refined by subsequent scholars such as Immanuel Kant and Wilhelm Wundt. Despite these historical views, the modern understanding of temperament is focused on its psychological and biological components, rather than bodily fluids.
This biologically rooted aspect of personality is thus a foundational element in how a person interacts with the world, which can influence life experiences and relationships. The debate between nature versus nurture continues, but it is clear that both genetics and environment play roles in shaping who we become.