THE RELATION BETWEEN TEMPERAMENT AND EMBARRASSMENT

The relation between infant temperament, self-recognition, and embarra ssment was examined in a longitudinal study. Infants were studied at 5 , 13, and 22 months of age. At 5 and 13 months, parental reports of te mperament and heart rate variability (HRV) were collected. At 22 month s, self-recognition, a measure of self-referential behaviour, and emba rrassment were observed. The results indicated a relation between earl y temperament differences, self-recognition, and embarrassment. Those infants who showed self-recognition and who had difficult temperaments were likely to exhibit embarrassment when compared to those infants w ho showed self-recognition, but who had easygoing temperaments.