Cultural and Social Groups

Infants of all cultures are born with a variety of temperaments. Yet one temperament may be valued in one culture but discouraged in another culture. It depends on the culture’s standards for behavior. Let’s take shyness, for example. In North America, shy children are often less popular among their peers. In other countries, such as China, shy children are often more accepted by social groups. 

Social groups, such as classmates or peers, can also impact temperament. As an example, consider shyness again. Some children develop shyness as a result of unsuccessful peer interactions in school. These children were not born with a shy temperament. On the other hand, some children enter school with a shy temperament. Some shy children learn to regulate their shyness to become accepted by their peers. 

Over time, some children learn to adjust their behavior to meet the norms of their culture or society. Through this socialization process, children can gain the approval of their group. Social and cultural groups can have different influences on boys and girls.  We’ll discuss gender on the next page.

  • Anterior cingulate cortex
    part of the brain that helps control emotional impulses
    Dimension
    more or less of a behavior
    Goodness of fit
    occurs when your expectations are compatible with a child’s temperament
    Negative reactivity
    a tendency to react in a negative manner
    Positive reactivity
    a tendency to react in a positive manner
    Prefrontal cortex
    the decision-making area of the brain
    Self-regulation
    a child’s ability to concentrate, to manage emotions, and to control impulses
    Temperament
    how a person approaches the world