Regulative Theory Of Temperament Research Articles

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Temperament

Among the criteria for a personality paradigm the following three are the most crucial: biological basis (e. g., genetic contribution to the phenotypic variance), universality (existence of traits in different cultures) and reality (possibility to measure traits by different methods). The present study combines all three criteria to explore the impact of genetic and environmental factors on temperamental traits, as stipulated by Strelau 's regulative theory of temperament, across two culturally different samples (Polish and German), and by means of two diagnostic methods (self-report and peer-rating). The analysis was conducted on data obtained from 1009 same-sex pairs of twins (German sample) and 546 same-sex pairs of twins (Polish sample). For each subject the self-report as well as rating from two independent peers was recorded by both the Polish and German versions of the Formal Characteristics of Behavior-Temperament Inventory. Results demonstrate substantial heritability of temperamental traits, although average peer-rating tends to provide lower heritability estimates than self-report (for six traits M = 33% and M = 46% of the total variance, respectively). After separating the error variance from the effect of nonshared environment for both methods (self-report and peer-rating) and both samples, joint analysis indicated a very high impact of genetic factors (the average raised up to 66% of the total variance). No significant “sample” effect was found, so that we may allows to conclude that temperamental traits are determined in both cultures to the same extent by genetic factors.

Temperamental Factors in the Execution of Interrupted Editing Tasks

The question investigated in this study is how the temperament traits of strength of excitation (SE), strength of inhibition (SI), and mobility (MO) affect behaviour during the execution of computer tasks and tasks interrupting them. Several hypotheses, partly derived from the regulative theory of temperament, were tested in an experiment in which the natural environment and the types of task commonly performed by secretaries were simulated. The sample consisted of 39 female secretaries (21–64 years old). It was found that individuals high on SE and MO needed less time to resume tasks after an interruption than individuals low on these temperament traits. Interruptions similar to the main task resulted in longer resumption times for low-SE individuals. MO was negatively related to the time needed to perform the main task. A model describing the relationship between the frequency of switches between tasks and the speed of task performance in low-MO and high-MO individuals is presented.

The regulative theory of temperament: current status

The Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT) primarily presented by Strelau about 20 years ago. has undergone several changes. The current status of the RTT has been described by nine postulates. They ascribe temperament to formal characteristics of behavior present since early infancy in humans and animals, and underline the biological background of temperament characteristics as well as their possible changes due to biologically determined life-span variation and individual-specific interaction with the environment. The RTT underlines the functional significance of temperament characteristics especially under extreme demands. After several theoretical and empirical stages, the structure of temperament has been described by six following traits: briskness, perseverance, sensory sensitivity, emotional reactivity, endurance and activity. Twin studies have demonstrated the contribution of nonshared environment and the genetic factor in determining individual differences in these traits. The location of RTT traits among dozens of other temperament and personality characteristics has been demonstrated by means of correlational and factor analytic studies. Finally, a theoretical model of the temperament—stress relationship has been presented as the basis for further studies aimed at examining the functional significance of temperamental characteristics as postulated by the RTT.

The Formal Characteristics of Behaviour—Temperament Inventory (FCB—TI): Validity studies

A psychometric study has been conducted with the aim of testing the validity of the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour—Temperament Inventory (FCB—TI). FCB—TI has been constructed to measure six temperament traits according to the Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT): Briskness, Perseverance (referring to the temporal aspect of behavior), Sensory Sensitivity, Emotional Reactivity, Endurance, and Activity (referring to the energetic characteristics of behaviour). These traits have been compared with other temperament as well as personality dimensions. The following measures were used: PTS, EAS—TS, DOTS—R, EPQ—R, SSS—V, 16PF, and NEO‐FFI. The study was conducted on samples consisting of over 1500 subjects with satisfactory balanced gender ratio (about 50 per cent), and with a broad range of age (from 15 to 77 years), representing a variety of professions and educational levels. The correlational and factor analytic findings are presented; these show high theoretical validity of the FCB—TI scales, except the Sensory Sensitivity scale. In the discussion some conclusions concerning the revision of the structure of temperament have been suggested.

The Formal Characteristics of Behaviour‐Temperament Inventory (FCB‐TI): theoretical assumptions and scale construction

A psychometric study has been conducted with the aims of revising the structure of temperament as postulated by the Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT) and of constructing an inventory which corresponds to the RTT. A starting point for the study was the assumption that temperament refers to formal attributes of behaviour expressed in energetic and temporal characteristics. About 600 items covering 12 characteristics were generated. A study based on linguistic and itemmetric analysis allowed us to reduce the number of items representing the 12 characteristics to a 381‐item pool. This set of items served as the basis for distinguishing the temperamental traits and for constructing the inventory: the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour–Temperament Inventory (FCB‐TI). A thorough psychometric study and factor analysis of data obtained from over 2000 subjects (both genders, aged from 15 to 80 years) allowed us to distinguish six temperamental traits which have the status of first‐order factors. Among them, four–Sensory Sensitivity, Endurance, Emotional Reactivity, and Activity–refer to the energetic aspect of behaviour and two–Briskness and Perseverance–refer to the temporal characteristics. The FCB‐TI has satisfactory psychometric characteristics, including Cronbach alpha and stability measures. Studies have shown that the six FCB‐TI scales are replica across samples and refer to robust temperament dimensions.

A regulative theory of temperament

A theory of temperament is presented which draws upon the tradition of neo-Pavlovian typology of the nervous system. Special attention is paid to temperament as one of the regulators of the relationship between humanity and environment, when the environment is treated as a source of stimulation. The main focus is upon temperamental characteristics associated with behaviour at the energetics level. This comprises two dimensions: reactivity and activity. A theoretical analysis of the two traits is conducted and their relationship with human behaviour is elaborated. A number of studies are discussed, illustrating the role of reactivity as one of the regulators of the individual's style of action and as a partner in the determination of preferences for situations and for behaviours of a given stimulatory potential. Finally, the paper provides a number of data exemplifying essential relations between temperament and personality. The interdependencies between both these phenomena are discussed in the light of the assumption that temperament should be regarded as a consequence of biological evolution and personality as a product of the social environment.