Question

Mallory and Steve are parents of a difficult temperament infant. In response to the child's temperament, they become less available and less responsive. As a result, their child becomes more difficult to handle. This is an example of:

Answer 1

The scenario described is an example of the transactional model of child development, where parenting styles and a child's temperament influence each other. Mallory and Steve's less responsive behavior is a response to their difficult temperament infant, which further escalates the child's challenging behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described in the question is an example of the transactional model of child development. This model suggests that parenting styles and a child's temperament can influence and affect each other. In this case, Mallory and Steve's difficult temperament infant is causing them to become less available and less responsive, which in turn leads to the child becoming more difficult to handle.

The child's difficult temperament is a trait that influences their behavior and reactions, making them more challenging for their parents to interact with. In response, Mallory and Steve's parenting style is being influenced, leading to a less responsive and available approach.

This scenario highlights the bidirectional nature of the parent-child relationship and the importance of considering both parents' behavior and the child's temperament in understanding and addressing challenging behaviors.