Question 13

An infant's emotional reactivity and intensity is referred to as its temperament.

Temperament describes the innate characteristics that influence an infant's emotional reactivity and intensity. It encompasses the individual differences in emotional responses and is a key aspect of early personality development.

A) attitude

Attitude refers to a settled way of thinking or feeling about something, typically resulting from personal experiences and beliefs. While attitudes can be influenced by temperament, they do not specifically address the innate emotional reactivity and intensity of an infant.

B) emotionality

Emotionality pertains to the capacity to experience and express emotions. Although it relates to how emotions are felt and expressed, it is a broader term that does not specifically define the consistent patterns of emotional reactivity that temperament encompasses.

C) heritability

Heritability refers to the proportion of variation in a trait attributable to genetic factors. While temperament may have a heritable component, heritability itself does not describe the emotional reactivity and intensity experienced by an infant.

D) personality

Personality represents the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character. Although temperament is a foundational aspect of personality, it specifically describes the emotional reactivity and intensity of infants, making it a more precise term in this context.

E) temperament

Temperament accurately identifies the innate emotional reactivity and intensity observed in infants. It encompasses the individual differences in emotional responses, making it the correct choice for describing these characteristics.

Conclusion

Temperament is the definitive term for an infant's emotional reactivity and intensity, distinguishing it from other options that address broader concepts or unrelated traits. Options A, B, C, and D lack the specificity required to accurately describe the innate emotional characteristics of infants, thereby reinforcing that E is the only correct answer.