Shelley and Julie are mothers who each have a three-month-old infant. Shelley tells Julie, "My son is so fussy," to which Julie replies, "That's funny-my son is so easy." It appears that Shelley and Julie are discussing their newborns' ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conversation indicates that Shelley and Julie are discussing the infants' temperaments, which refer to their overall pattern of behavior and emotional responsiveness. The words "fussy" and "easy" suggest different temperamental tendencies. Personality may develop later in life, and moods and reflexes are narrower aspects of behavior that do not capture the broader pattern of temperament.

Shelley and Julie Are Mothers Who Each Have a Three-Month-Old