ERIC Number: ED337244
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1991-Apr
Pages: 16
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Longitudinal and Behavior Genetic Analyses of Inhibition from 14 to 36 Months: The MacArthur Longitudinal Twin Study.
DiLalla, Lisabeth Fisher
A study of Kagan's peer play situation for measuring heritable influences on children's behavioral inhibition (that is, shyness) drew its data from the large, multimethod, multivariate MacArthur Longitudinal Twin Study. The MacArthur study examined behavioral inhibition across four ages and two situations, looking for possible sex differences and the heritability of behavioral inhibition at each age. Subjects for the project were approximately 100 pairs of same-sex twins who were tested longitudinally at 14, 20, 24, and 36 months. At each age, children were placed in various situations: in the presence of a stranger, an intimidating object, or peers; and with or without their twin. Children's reactions, and the amount of time children spent near their mothers, were measured. Stability of behavioral inhibition was observed across ages in the same situations, and to a lesser extent across both situations and ages. No sex differences were found. Measurements of the peer play situation seemed to demonstrate an aspect of inhibition with a highly heritable component, especially among extremely inhibited children. (SAK)
Descriptors: Heredity, Inhibition, Longitudinal Studies, Peer Relationship, Play, Shyness, Toddlers, Twins
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Chicago, IL.
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development (Seattle, WA, April 18-20, 1991).