Name and describe the three types of children Thomas and Chess identified in their groundbreaking longitudinal study of temperament. In what category did 35 percent of the children in the sample fit?

What will be an ideal response?

When detailed descriptions of infants' and children's behavior obtained from parent interviews were rated on nine dimensions of temperament, certain characteristics clustered together, yielding three types of children:
– The easy child (40 percent of the sample) quickly establishes regular routines in infancy, is generally cheerful, and adapts easily to new experiences.
– The difficult child (10 percent of the sample) has irregular daily routines, is slow to accept new experiences, and tends to react negatively and intensely.
– The slow-to-warm-up child (15 percent of the sample) is inactive, shows mild, low-key reactions to environmental stimuli, is negative in mood, and adjusts slowly to new experiences.
The remaining 35 percent of the children did not fit any of these categories. Instead, they showed unique blends of temperamental characteristics.