Inhibited children have a very active fear system. Children with an inhibited temperament are cautious, restrained and even fearful in response to unfamiliar people, objects and situations. These differences in children’s nature are called temperament traits and are determined by biological differences in the way in which the brain records, processes, interprets and responds to information from the environment which in turn determines an individual’s behavior and learning.īehavioral inhibition: the cautious/fearful childīehavioral inhibition is a specific temperament trait first identified and described by Jerome Kagan in the 80’s. Jerome Kagan, who did the early research on infants and young children who appeared sensitive and fearful, called this temperament trait behavior inhibition (BI). They take longer to recover when upset.Įlaine Aron coined the phrase “highly sensitive child” for these children, describing them as very aware and quick to react to everything. Other children are born with a more cautious temperament and respond to new situations and people with wariness, they are slow to warm-up and are easily distressed by unfamiliar, unpredictable and unexpected events. They are curious about new people and places, keen to explore and try out new and interesting toys, they are adventurous but not fearless, and when upset they can easily be comforted and recover quickly from disappointments and setbacks. Most children have an easy and outgoing nature.

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