Child and adolescent psychiatry: temperament types: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Child and adolescent psychiatry: temperament types

Sample item

An infant has irregular sleeping and feeding, cries loudly and intensely, reacts strongly and negatively to new foods and strangers, and takes a long time to adapt to change. Which temperament category of Thomas and Chess is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Difficult child

Thomas and Chess described three main temperament types: easy, difficult and slow-to-warm-up. The difficult child is irregular in biological rhythms, withdraws from new stimuli, adapts slowly and shows intense negative mood. Slow-to-warm-up children respond mildly and adapt gradually.

Option by option

  • A. Easy child

    The easy child has regular habits, positive mood and quick adaptation.

  • B. Slow-to-warm-up child

    The slow-to-warm-up child withdraws from novelty but with low intensity and gradually adapts.

  • C. Difficult child (correct)

    Correct. Irregularity, intense negative reactions and slow adaptation define the difficult child.

  • D. Behaviourally inhibited child

    Behavioural inhibition is a separate construct described by Kagan and is not part of this classification.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Difficult child. Thomas and Chess described three main temperament types: easy, difficult and slow-to-warm-up.

Why is "Easy child" not the answer?

The easy child has regular habits, positive mood and quick adaptation.

Why is "Slow-to-warm-up child" not the answer?

The slow-to-warm-up child withdraws from novelty but with low intensity and gradually adapts.

Why is "Behaviourally inhibited child" not the answer?

Behavioural inhibition is a separate construct described by Kagan and is not part of this classification.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child and adolescent psychiatry: temperament types in Psychiatry. The difficult child is irregular in biological rhythms, withdraws from new stimuli, adapts slowly and shows intense negative mood. Slow-to-warm-up children respond mildly and adapt gradually.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Child and adolescent psychiatry: temperament types?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.