Briefly considering the literature, this paper reviews research in the area of temperament and points out the implications of findings for school psychologists. Following a brief discussion of several definitions of temperament, two issues given the most consideration in the theoretical literature are outlined: the genetic origins of temperament…

Current definitions of temperament are reviewed, and two types of rating scales designed to measure temperamental variables are described. Also, brief reviews of the literature on the relationship of temperament to general cognitive ability, achievement, and psychopathology are presented. Implications for school psychologists are discussed.…

The relatively long-term effects of temperament on classroom achievement were studied in a cohort of elementary students while accounting for variation in cognitive ability, previous achievement, and gender. The existence of long-term effects would support the hypothesis that indirect genetic effects on learning are mediated by temperament.…

Theoretical review provides psychologists with stronger etiological explanations for problematic behaviors they encounter in schools. Considers theory of gene-environment correlation to explain how behavior patterns can become more stable over life span and diathesis-stress theory to clarify how environment interacts with behavioral dispositions…

Examined associations between early childhood temperament and factors during mothers' pregnancy. Responses to maternal questionnaires of psychological distress during pregnancy and maternal observations of infants at 6 months and 5 years of age indicated a connection between first-trimester distress and negative emotionality in 5-year-old…

Examined effects of student temperament, instructional method (computer versus teacher), and interaction between 2 on observed off-task behavior and problem-solving performance among 78 kindergarten students. Found that students with highest Task Orientation exhibited almost no off-task behaviors with either method, whereas students with lowest…

This paper reviews research relating child temperament (social, emotional, and attentional characteristics) to educational process and outcome for exceptional children with different diagnoses. The paper presents a model of temperament effects on educational outcome, mediated by effects on parents, peers, and teachers and by the child's academic…

These comments on EC 604 103, concerning child temperament effects on the special education process and outcomes, focus on how the author became interested in the topic, reasons for the paucity of research in this area, the relationship between child temperament and parental temperament, and ways in which teachers can apply the research. (JDD)