Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
temperament, mother and infant, preliminary, cross-fostering
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Environment can shape temperament, although temperament is thought mainly to be biologically inherited. Thus, mothers’ temperament is often similar to the infants’ temperament. Previous studies in rhesus monkeys have shown that infants have a similar temperament to their mothers, and that there is a potential genetic influence.1 In fact, the rh5-HTTLPR (serotonin transporter gene) and the rh-MAOA-LPR gene have been linked to affecting temperament, interacting between the mothers and infants. However, only male infants exhibit this effect; female infants’ temperament was not correlated with their mothers’ temperament.
Recommended Citation
Jackson, Jenna and Higley, Dr. James Dee
(2014)
"Comparative Temperament Assessment between Mother and Infant: A Preliminary Look at Cross-Fostering,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 308.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/308