Studying cross-cultural differences in temperament in toddlerhood: United States of America (US) and Italy

• We evaluated cross-cultural differences between Italian and US toddlers’ temperament.
• A number of differences were found related to culture, age, and gender.
• Cultural differences are discussed in terms of parental behaviors and ethnotheories.

Cross-cultural differences between matched samples (N = 306) of Italian and US toddlers were evaluated. Italian toddlers received higher scores on cuddliness, impulsivity, low intensity pleasure, perceptual sensitivity and positive anticipation, whereas US toddlers were higher on frustration, high-intensity pleasure, inhibitory control, shyness, and soothability.