๐ Quick Study Guide: Kagan's Behavioral Inhibition
- ๐ Core Concept: Behavioral Inhibition (BI) is a stable temperamental trait characterized by shyness, fear, or withdrawal in novel situations, particularly with unfamiliar people or objects.
- ๐ถ Kagan's Research: Jerome Kagan conducted extensive longitudinal studies, often identifying BI in infants (4-month-olds) and tracking its development into childhood and adolescence.
- ๐ Observable Behaviors: Highly inhibited children may cling to parents, avoid eye contact, show delayed speech onset in new settings, or retreat from new stimuli.
- โค๏ธ Physiological Correlates: Individuals with high BI often exhibit specific physiological responses to novelty, including increased heart rate, greater pupil dilation, higher cortisol levels, and elevated activity in the amygdala.
- ๐ Continuum: BI is not an all-or-nothing trait but exists on a spectrum, with individuals varying in their degree of reactivity and withdrawal.
- โณ Stability & Change: While BI shows considerable stability from infancy, environmental factors (e.g., parental warmth, secure attachment, opportunities for exposure) can moderate its expression over time.
- ๐งฉ Developmental Implications: High BI can be a risk factor for developing anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety) later in life, but it is not a deterministic predictor.
๐ Practice Quiz: Behavioral Inhibition
1. According to Jerome Kagan, what is a primary characteristic of a highly behaviorally inhibited child?
A. An outgoing and boisterous demeanor in new situations.
B. A tendency to approach novel stimuli with enthusiasm.
C. Withdrawal and distress when confronted with unfamiliar people or objects.
D. Consistent aggression towards peers in group settings.
2. Which physiological response is often observed in infants identified by Kagan as highly behaviorally inhibited when exposed to novelty?
A. Decreased heart rate.
B. Increased cortisol levels.
C. Reduced pupil dilation.
D. Lowered brain activity in the amygdala.
3. At approximately what age did Kagan's research often identify early signs of behavioral inhibition in infants?
A. Around 12-18 months.
B. As early as 4 months.
C. During the toddler years (2-3 years).
D. Not typically observable until school age (5-7 years).
4. Behavioral inhibition is considered a temperamental trait that:
A. Is solely determined by environmental factors.
B. Is a fixed characteristic that never changes.
C. Has a biological basis and shows some stability over time.
D. Only manifests in adulthood.
5. Which of the following best describes the stability of behavioral inhibition from infancy to adolescence?
A. It completely disappears by school age.
B. It is highly unstable and changes significantly year to year.
C. It shows considerable stability, though environmental factors can influence its expression.
D. It only emerges during adolescence.
6. Which brain structure is most closely associated with the heightened physiological reactivity seen in highly inhibited individuals?
A. Prefrontal cortex.
B. Cerebellum.
C. Amygdala.
D. Hippocampus.
7. How might a supportive and warm parenting style typically interact with a child's high behavioral inhibition?
A. It would likely exacerbate the child's inhibited behaviors.
B. It could help moderate the expression of inhibition and foster coping skills.
C. It would have no significant impact on the child's inherent temperament.
D. It would instantly eliminate all signs of behavioral inhibition.
Click to see Answers
1. C. Withdrawal and distress when confronted with unfamiliar people or objects.
2. B. Increased cortisol levels.
3. B. As early as 4 months.
4. C. Has a biological basis and shows some stability over time.
5. C. It shows considerable stability, though environmental factors can influence its expression.
6. C. Amygdala.
7. B. It could help moderate the expression of inhibition and foster coping skills.