Question

Shortly after birth, Vanna became regular in her eating and sleeping patterns. She is happy most of the time and is quiet and not fussy when her parents take her to other people's houses or to restaurants. According to Thomas and Chess, what type of temperament does she have?

Answer 1

Vanna's regular eating and sleeping patterns, generally happy mood, and adaptability suggest she has an easy temperament according to Thomas and Chess's theory of temperamental categories.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the temperamental categories defined by Thomas and Chess, Vanna shows characteristics that would classify her as having an easy temperament. Easy temperament children are generally regular in their eating and sleeping patterns, exhibit positive emotions, are adaptable to new experiences, and are usually not fussy when in new or social situations. This type of temperament is marked by a consistent rhythm in daily functions, cheerfulness, and adaptability to change, which also can influence the way parents and caregivers interact with the child.

Thomas and Chess's research posits that there are three types of temperaments in infants: easy, difficult, and slow to warm up. Easy temperament is described as having a positive approach to new experiences, showing predictable habits such as sleeping and eating, and maintaining a generally positive mood. Conversely, a difficult temperament is characterized by irregular eating and sleeping patterns, emotional negativity, and resistance to change. Lastly, the slow to warm up category includes children who tend to have a low activity level, require more time to adjust to new situations, and display mildly negative responses to novel stimuli.