What Temperament Really Is—and Why It Matters for Parenting w/ Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar

In this episode of Raising Good Humans, Dr. Aliza Pressman interviews developmental psychologist and temperament expert, Dr. Coralie Perez-Edgar, about temperament, its biological basis, and its influence on shyness and parent-child interactions. Dr. Perez-Edgar defines temperament as the biologically based foundation of personality, appearing early in life and relatively stable across contexts, while clarifying that genes do not determine it. The discussion covers easy, shy, and assertive temperaments, emphasizing that no single temperament is superior. They explore how parents can nurture their children's temperaments, manage risk-taking, and provide tools for navigating various environments. The conversation also addresses cultural influences on temperament, the importance of secure attachments, and Dr. Perez-Edgar's research on the synchronization of biological signals between parents and children. The episode concludes with a discussion on social media's impact and the significance of understanding both the objective and experienced environments in shaping a child's development.