Understanding Temperament In Different Life Stages

In the plight to understand human behaviors, thought patterns, and characteristics, temperament has been the subject of significant research and discussion. Referring to biologically based behaviors and characteristics, temperament may play a crucial role in personality development as a person moves through various life stages. 

The relationship between temperament, behavior, and personality is often multifaceted and complex, particularly as people age. One question that may emerge is whether temperament can change over time, and if so, to what extent. To understand this topic further, it may be helpful to explore the concepts of temperament and personality in the context of Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development. 

Exploring the different stages of development

The question of how humans develop socially, physically, and psychologically remains a topic of discussion, and research is evolving. Over the years, researchers have proposed various theories on how people change and grow at different ages. Some of these theories center around physical development, like physical strength, motor skills, vision, and hearing. Others focus on psychological aspects of development such as identity, independence, and creativity. 

Several theories propose that development happens in stages, which can be categorized based on factors like age. One such theory was developed by psychoanalyst Erik Erikson, who theorized that there are eight distinct life stages in which psychosocial development happens, starting from infancy and evolving into old age. These proposed stages include:

• Hope: The first stage, taking place from birth until around 12 to 18 months, leads an infant to develop trust or mistrust based on their interactions with their caregivers and their basic needs being met. 
• Will: The second proposed stage, which encompasses a person’s early childhood and toddlerhood, centers around the development of autonomy or shame. 
• Purpose: Erikson theorized that the third stage of development, from approximately age three to age five or six, centers around a child learning whether it is acceptable to take initiative, plan, and explore. 
• Competence: From around age five to around age 11, the competence stage is theorized to be the period when a child attempts tasks and creates, developing a sense of self-confidence or inferiority. 
• Fidelity: During adolescence, Erikson proposed that young adults may develop a sense of identity or purpose and explore how they may fit into the world. 
• Love: Beginning in the early 20s and progressing into the early to mid-40s, the sixth stage of development may center around relationships, intimacy, and love versus isolation. 
• Care: This stage of development, proposed to start in one’s 40s and progress into their 60s, centers around a person’s drive to contribute to society or make an impact on the world.
• Wisdom: Erikson’s eighth and final stage of development, beginning in a person’s mid-60s, is theorized to include a person’s reflection on their life and experiences and can range from fulfillment to bitterness.

Erikson’s theory is one of many possible ways of looking at the various stages of life. However, it may provide an interesting lens for viewing personality development as well as a useful context for examining the role of temperament in aging.

What is temperament?

In the context of personality development, temperament encompasses the aspects of one’s personality that are inborn and biologically based. It has been theorized that temperament is mainly determined by genetics, but environmental factors during childhood may also play a role. 

According to the American Psychological Association, temperament involves: 

• Emotional responsiveness
• Mood
• Demeanor
• Response tempo
• Energy level
• Behavioral inhibition
• Willingness to explore

Various frameworks have been developed for categorizing different temperament traits, particularly during early childhood and infancy. These frameworks offer various temperament factors to consider, including but not limited to: 

• Activity level
• Sensitivity
• Intensity of emotions
• Regularity of bodily functions
• Extraversion
• Negative affect
• Distractibility
• Self-regulation

Temperament is thought to form part of the foundation of personality, but other factors may contribute as well.

Does temperament change during different life stages?

Temperament and personality are two distinct concepts. Temperament often centers around inherent behaviors, reactions, and responses to people and situations, whereas personality traits may also encompass factors like beliefs, values, and life experiences. 

Temperament is typically thought of as fixed, tending to stay the same as a person grows. However, certain aspects of temperament—for example, regularity of bodily functions or self-regulation—may shift as a person moves through different stages of development (e.g., Erikson’s purpose and competence stages). 

Contrarily, personality has been theorized to be more fluid than temperament. Factors like life experiences and the environment, for instance, may contribute to the evolution of an individual’s personality over time. For this reason, it may be helpful to look at life stages in the context of both temperament and personality to get a better sense of how a person may change with age.

Exploring temperament and development with a therapist

Understanding temperament, personality, and aging may be challenging—particularly when looking at them in the context of one’s own life. At times, getting an objective view of one’s temperament and personality traits and how they may be evolving can be difficult. For this reason, therapy may be a useful resource for exploring these concepts in more detail. A licensed therapist may be able to answer questions about temperament and how it affects personality and offer potential suggestions for managing challenges at various life stages. 

However, without insurance that covers it, traditional therapy may not be accessible. A single session could cost over $200 out of pocket. Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may provide a useful alternative, often costing significantly less. In addition, online therapy can offer unique benefits like worksheets, journaling prompts, and group sessions included in a subscription. 

The effectiveness of online therapy has been demonstrated through various studies. For example, a recent study found that online therapy was more effective than in-person options in improving quality of life, reducing symptoms, and offering cost-effective care for people living with depression, anxiety, and stress.