Research article summary (published 30 Mar 1997):

Inhibitory control as a contributor to conscience in childhood: from toddler to early school age.

Full Abstract

In this article we report a longitudinal extension of previous findings about the critical role of temperamental inhibitory or effortful control as the contributor to developing conscience in young children. A comprehensive observational battery, highly internally consistent, was developed to measure inhibitory control in 83 children at early school age who had been followed since toddlerhood and had been assessed using similar batteries at toddler and preschool age. We again confirmed the findings of robust longitudinal stability of inhibitory or effortful control, now from toddler to early school age, the increase with age, and gender differences, with girls outperforming boys. We also reaffirmed strong links, both contemporaneous and in the longitudinal sense, between inhibitory control and multiple, diverse measures of children's conscience at early school age, including observations of moral conduct, moral cognition, and moral self. The findings are discussed in view of the increasingly appreciated importance of temperament for critical aspects of socialization.

Author information

Author/s: Kochanska, G (G); Murray, K (K); Coy, K C (KC);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1407, USA. GRAZYNA-KOCHAN-SKA(-atsign-)UIOWA.EDU

Grants: KO2 MH01446-01 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Child development (Child Dev), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1997-Apr; vol 68 (issue 2) : pp 263-77

Dates: Created 1997/07/23; Completed 1997/07/23; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 9180001, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Child Child, Preschool Conscience Female Humans Inhibition (Psychology) Internal-External Control

Internal-External Control Longitudinal Studies Male Personality Assessment Personality Development Sex Factors Temperament

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