Final answer:
Temperament refers to innate, genetically based behavioral characteristics evident early in life, impacting how individuals interact with their environment and regulate their emotions. Reactivity and self-regulation are two key dimensions of temperament. The interaction between parenting styles and a child's temperament is reciprocal.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperament refers to inborn, genetically based personality differences that are evident early in life. This concept plays a significant role in how individuals interact with their environment and regulate their emotions. Contemporary psychologists like Rothbart identify temperament as having a biological basis, showcased by the categorization of babies into three temperaments: easy, difficult, or slow to warm up by Thomas and Chess. Moreover, there is an acknowledgment of the impact of environmental factors such as family interactions on the expression of these traits. Trait theorists argue that temperament is an integral part of our adult personalities, particularly concerning dimensions of reactivity and self-regulation. Reactivity defines how we respond to new or challenging stimuli, whereas self-regulation is our ability to control those responses. Additionally, the interaction between parenting styles and a child's temperament is reciprocal. For instance, children with more 'easy' temperaments tend to elicit positive parenting techniques, while children with 'difficult' temperaments may provoke more negative reactions.