Links between systems of inhibition from infancy to preschool years

Abstract

Links between early and late emerging inhibitory characteristics of young children are poorly understood. Based on existing evidence, this study proposed an indirect link between reactive inhibition to novelty (fearfulness) and later emerging effortful inhibition of prepotent response tendencies. A model was tested that posits that fearful children have opportunistic advantages in developing a nonimpulsive approach style in contexts that are not imbued with salient novelty cues. That nonimpulsive approach style, in turn, facilitates future effortful inhibition. Longitudinal panel data, all based on observational measures, at 9, 14, 22, 33, and 45 months were used to support the proposed indirect link. The implications for understanding regulatory influences of fearful behavior and developmental complexity in child characteristics are discussed.