"Finally—a definitive source for my graduate students and research team! Presented from a variety of theoretical perspectives, the chapters in this book are comprehensive. They review and critique the current literature so that students (and faculty) can understand how the field evolved. Equally important, the book provides direction for future research. This book should be on the required list for all graduate temperament and personality classes."—Sandee McClowry, PhD, FAAN, Professor, Counseling Program, New York University "Temperament is a central construct in the study of human individual differences, yet a volume providing complete, authoritative coverage of the field has been lacking. This exceptional handbook is a 'must have' for researchers, clinicians, educators, and students. The editors and contributors are a who's who of research in temperament, and the scope of the material is unprecedented, ranging from measurement, to biology, to how temperament plays out in everyday life. The book is well suited to advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in personality and individual differences; students are certain to benefit from its clarity and scope. This is required reading that will guide the field for years to come."—Robert F. Krueger, PhD, Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota "This is a terrific volume! A stellar group of scholars provide informed reviews of the history of the field of temperament; relevant theory, measurement issues, research findings, and interventions; and other applied issues. Because temperament is such a broad domain of study, the book will be extremely useful to anyone interested in socioemotional development, executive functioning, personality, and their biological and environmental underpinnings. This handbook will be a valued resource for graduate students and graduate classes, research scientists, and people with applied interests alike."—Nancy Eisenberg, PhD, Regents' Professor of Psychology, Arizona State University "Temperament is a critical concept for understanding almost every area of psychology, from how young children learn to regulate their emotions to what makes some people more susceptible to abusing alcohol. This handbook brings together top researchers on temperament to provide the most comprehensive and authoritative volume on the subject to date, spanning basic research as well as applied work. It is an excellent resource for both the researcher and the practicing clinician, and will serve as a valuable text for advanced courses in human development and developmental psychopathology."—Paul J. Frick, PhD, University Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans "Nothing could be more vital than understanding how genetic variation and the physical and social environment interact to guide the development of a child. The Handbook of Temperament shows how this complex interaction shapes each individual's unique behavior. The volume traces both ancient roots and the most current knowledge in the field. This book is vital for psychologists, educators, and neuroscientists who seek to understand the intersection between biology, society, and the developing child."—Michael I. Posner, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of Oregon "This landmark volume brings together a most distinguished group of scholars who provide a remarkably rich treatment of all aspects of temperament research, including biological, personality, developmental, clinical, and applied perspectives. The coverage is spectacular in its depth and breadth; the organization of the specific sections and chapters is clear and excellent. This book is a 'must read' for researchers and an ideal text for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in individual differences, temperament, or personality."—Grazyna Kochanska, PhD, Stuit Professor of Developmental Psychology, University of Iowa "Covering a broad spectrum of concepts, methods, and applications involving social and biological aspects of temperament, this handbook goes beyond existing works that have a narrower focus. It really fills a gap in the literature on personality. I could see using this volume in a graduate course as a basis for student presentations on different aspects of temperament."—Petra Netter, PhD, MD, Professor Emerita of Psychology, University of Giessen, Germany
Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book discusses temperament in terms of structure, traits, assessment methodologies, and biological underpinnings, and looks at temperament in both children and adults within various contexts, along with therapeutic intervention strategies.
Purpose: According to the editors, the book is intended to detail the current knowledge in all areas of temperament, taking an integrative approach by organizing the "various strands of research on temperament in a way that promotes coherence and facilitates recognition of connections and interrelationships across various research ideas." They also use extensive cross-referencing across chapters and provide an integrative, summary chapter at the end.
Audience: Although no intended audience is identified, it appears that both practitioners and researchers would benefit from this book. The editors are both experienced in this field. Marcel Zentner is senior lecturer in psychology at the University of York, U.K., and Rebecca Shiner is associate professor of psychology at Colgate University in New York. Contributors are from the U.S., the U.K., the Netherlands, Israel, Canada, Belgium, Spain, and Poland.
Features: The book begins with a history of temperament, from ancient concepts as far back to 1500 B.C.E. to the present. It also introduces models of temperament for children and adults. The second part explores specific traits such as positive emotionality and anger. In their discussion of positive emotionality, the authors differentiate approach-based positivity from non-approach positivity, and how this relates to fear, inhibition, and frustration. An important part of this book revolves around assessment measures, including self-report inventories and behavioral assessments. The book also explores biological perspectives, including temperament in animals, which can help us understand human temperament. This part also includes the lessons we learn regarding prenatal stress and the similarities and differences of biological factors underlying temperament in children and adults. The authors discuss temperament in relation to parenting, attachment, and peer relationships, keys to the psychological health of the child. Chapter 23 details the gender differences in temperament, including conscientiousness/effortful control, and openness/sensitivity. Clinical issues relate temperament to internalizing disorders (anxiety, depression), externalizing disorders (conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD), and various risk factors. The book ends with suggestions for using temperament-based interventions in schools and psychotherapy.
Assessment: This excellent book is full of research and the numerous contributors bring a cross-cultural perspective to the topic. Because it looks at both adult and child models and how interventions can be developed to address specific problems, clinicians will find this book useful.
