Temperament Styles of Greek and US Children

Abstract

Age, gender and cross-national differences of children ages 8 through 16 in Greece ( n = 400) and the United States ( n = 5,400) are examined on four temperament styles: extroversion-introversion, practical-imaginative, thinking-feeling and organized-flexible styles. In general, Greek children prefer extroverted to introverted styles and organized to flexible styles. Their preferences for practical-imaginative and thinking-feeling styles are more balanced. Gender differences are found on thinking-feeling and organized-flexible styles. Age differences are found on practical-imaginative and organized-flexible styles. In contrast to children in the US, those in Greece are more likely to favour extroverted and practical styles. Gender differences appear with both national samples: girls are more likely to favour a feeling style and boys to favour a thinking style.