Temperament Styles of Romanian Children

Thomas Oakland, Dragos Iliescu, Margareta Dincã, Allison Dempsey

Abstract: Preferences for four bipolar temperament styles (i.e., extroversion-introversion, practical-imaginative, thinking-feeling, and organized-flexible) of 900 randomly sampled Romanian children in four age groups (i.e., 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-17) first are described and then compared to temperament qualities of 800 randomly sampled U.S. children age peers. Romanian children generally prefer extroversion, practical, thinking, and organized styles. Among Romanian children, more males than females prefer thinking and flexible styles and more females than males prefer feeling and organized styles. Gender differences are not apparent on extroversion-introversion and practical – imaginative styles. Age differences are most apparent on organized-flexible styles. In contrast to U.S. children, Romanian children are more likely to prefer extroverted, practical, and thinking styles.
Key words: temperament, Romanian children, learning styles, cross-cultural comparisons, international studies of children

Rezumat: Pe un lot alcãtuit din 900 de copii aleºi aleatoriu ºi distribuiþi în patru categorii de vârstã (9-10, 11-12, 13-14 ºi 15-17), au fost investigate preferinþele copiilor români pentru patru stiluri temperamentale bipolare (extroversiune-introversiune, practic-imaginativ, reflexiv-emoþional ºi organizat-flexibil). Acestea sunt iniþial descrise ºi apoi comparate cu caracteristicile temperamentale ale unui lot de 800 de copii americani de aceeaºi vârstã. Pe ansamblu, copii români preferã stilurile extrovertit, practic, reflexiv ºi organizat; mai mulþi bãieþi decât fete preferã stilurile reflexiv ºi flexibil, în timp ce mai multe fete decât bãieþi preferã stilurile emoþional ºi organizat. Nu apar diferenþe de gen pentru stilurile extrovertit-introvertit ºi practic-imaginativ. Diferenþele de vârstã apar în special în raport cu stilurile organizat-flexibil. Spre deosebire de copiii americani, cei români preferã în special stilurile extrovertit, practic ºi reflexiv.
Cuvinte-cheie: temperament, copii români, stiluri de învãþare, comparaþii interculturale.

Résumé: On a investigué les preferences pour quatres styles bipolaires de tempérament (extroversion-introversion, pratique-imaginatif, réfléchi-émotionnel, organisé-flexible) sur 900 enfants choisis aléatoirement et distributes en quatres catégories d.âge (9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-17). Celles-ci sont d.abord decrivées et ensuite compares avec les caractéristiques tempéramentales des 800 enfants américains de meme âge. En general, les enfants roumains préférent les styles extrovertite, pratique, réfléchi et organize; plusieurs garçons que filles préférent les styles réfléchi et flexible, tandis que plusieures filles que garcons préférent les styles émotionnel et organize. Il n.y a pas des différences de gendre pour les styles extrovertite-introvertite et pratique-imaginatif. Les differences d.âge sont visibles particulièrement au rapport avec les styles organisé-flexible. Par rapport aux sujets américains, les enfants roumains préférent les styles extrovertit, pratique et réfléchi.
Mots-clé: temperament, enfants roumains, styles d.apprentissage, comparaisons interculturelles.