Final answer:
Temperament refers to a tendency to engage in a certain style of thinking, feeling, or behaving that is evident from a very early age and reflects the impact of genes and biology. It can be categorized into different types and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Parenting styles can also be influenced by a child's temperament. Option a) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperament refers to a tendency to engage in a certain style of thinking, feeling, or behaving that is evident from a very early age and reflects the impact of genes and biology (Rothbart, 2011). It is considered to have a biological basis due to its appearance early in life, and it can be categorized into different types such as easy, difficult, or slow to warm up (Thomas and Chess, 1977).
Environmental factors and maturation can also affect the expression of children's temperaments (Carter et al., 2008). Easy children tend to display positive emotions and adapt well to change, while difficult children exhibit negative emotions and struggle to regulate their emotions (Sanson & Rothbart, 1995). Consequently, parenting styles can be influenced by a child's temperament, with easy children potentially receiving more warm and responsive parenting, while difficult children may elicit irritation or withdrawal from parents (Thomas, 1984).