Disposition

What is Disposition?

Disposition is a relatively stable tendency in behavioral and emotional responses that a person is born with. Even in the same situation, people react differently — and at the root of those differences lies disposition.

Characteristics of Disposition

Disposition has several important characteristics:

Types of Disposition

Developmental psychologists Thomas & Chess classified infant temperament into three types:

Easy Temperament

Shows regular daily rhythms, adapts easily to new situations, and generally maintains a positive mood. About 40% of infants fall into this category.

Difficult Temperament

Characterized by irregular daily rhythms, negative reactions to new situations, and intense emotional expressions. About 10% of infants fall into this category.

Slow-to-Warm-Up Temperament

Initially passive and cautious, but gradually adapts over time. About 15% of infants fall into this category.

Difference Between Disposition and Personality

Disposition is innate, while Personality is a broader concept that forms on the foundation of disposition, shaped further by environment, experience, and learning.

A Warm Note from Mindy

Mindy wants you to know that no disposition is inherently good or bad. Even a difficult temperament, when met with the right environment, can become a strength full of passion and energy. Understanding your own disposition and creating an environment that suits it is what truly matters. Please look at yourself with warmth, just as you are.