Two studies examined possible effects of four modes of infant care on child behavior exhibited later. Modes included care at home by the mother, at home by a relative or sitter, at a sitter's home, and in a group care center. First, a longitudinal study assessed children at 2 years of age on a wide array of personality and cognitive measures. A total of 115 children from the original sample were reassessed on the same dimensions at 4 years of age. Data were analyzed within the frameworks of two overlapping designs, which focused differentially on race of subjects and mode of care. A second, retrospective study of 122 black elementary school students 8 years of age investigated the relationship of six personality dimensions to the predominant mode of care experienced by subjects during the first 2 years of life. No significant statistical association was found after the effects of familial advantage and sex variables had been removed. Results of both studies suggested that the effects of various modes of infant care may become overshadowed by the effects of other, later experiences to the extent that, by the time the child is of school age, the effects are undetectable by ordinary methods. (RH)