RESEARCH PAPER
Assessing the dominance behavioral system in early childhood using observational methods
| 1 | Western University, London, Ontario, Canada |
| 2 | University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States |
| 3 | Concordia University of Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| 4 | University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Submission date: 2022-01-27
Final revision date: 2022-10-18
Acceptance date: 2022-11-21
Online publication date: 2023-01-16
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
the role of personality in interpersonal relations and social behaviorsindividual differencespersonality assessment and diagnosis
ABSTRACT
Background:
The dominance behavioral system (DBS) is a biologically based system that underpins individual differences in motivation for dominance and power. However, little is known about the DBS in childhood. In order to make strong claims about the DBS’s trait-like properties and predictive validity, a clearer understanding of its early development is required.
Participants and procedure:
In a pilot study aimed at developing a behavioral coding system for dominance, a key facet of the DBS, we collected and coded observational data from 58 children, assessed at ages 3 and 5-6. These data were examined in conjunction with measures of child temperament via observational measures, and symptoms of psychopathology.
Results:
Dominance was moderately stable in early childhood to a degree comparable to other early child temperament traits. Con-sistent with the study hypotheses, boys were more dominant than girls, and dominance was negatively associated with children’s behavioral inhibition, effortful control, and internalizing symptoms.
Conclusions:
These results provide initial support for the validity and developmental sensitivity of an objective coding system for assessing facets of the DBS in early childhood. Ultimately, the use of this coding system will facilitate future studies of how early DBS predicts psychological adjustment later in life.
The dominance behavioral system (DBS) is a biologically based system that underpins individual differences in motivation for dominance and power. However, little is known about the DBS in childhood. In order to make strong claims about the DBS’s trait-like properties and predictive validity, a clearer understanding of its early development is required.
Participants and procedure:
In a pilot study aimed at developing a behavioral coding system for dominance, a key facet of the DBS, we collected and coded observational data from 58 children, assessed at ages 3 and 5-6. These data were examined in conjunction with measures of child temperament via observational measures, and symptoms of psychopathology.
Results:
Dominance was moderately stable in early childhood to a degree comparable to other early child temperament traits. Con-sistent with the study hypotheses, boys were more dominant than girls, and dominance was negatively associated with children’s behavioral inhibition, effortful control, and internalizing symptoms.
Conclusions:
These results provide initial support for the validity and developmental sensitivity of an objective coding system for assessing facets of the DBS in early childhood. Ultimately, the use of this coding system will facilitate future studies of how early DBS predicts psychological adjustment later in life.
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