ATQ on the web

The ATQ provides information regarding the temperament of adults, and is based on the landmark research of Drs. Alexander Thomas, Stella Chess and associates in the New York Longitudinal Study.

In 2008, the ATQ online was updated to incorporate user experience and feedback. Broader norms were established, based on over 3400 adults who had completed the original ATQ. The process now allows users to select the norms that will be used for their temperament profile (e.g., college age males, females in their 40s, etc.) or to use the original, now called 'classic,' norms. Doing this will adjust the user's profile interpretations to an appropriate age and gender comparison group, resulting in a more meaningful interpretation. In addition profile category descriptions were extended from three to five levels for each of the nine scales, allowing for finer grained statements about temperament for each individual. Finally, the ATQ web process now allows users to purchase access codes for future ATQ web profiles so that a significant other, a class of students or clients in a private practice can be referred for their own temperament profiles.

What is temperament and what qualities make up my behavioral style?

Categories of temperament or behavioral style indicate how the individual responds to the environment around him or her, and uses 9 categories to describe these reactions: activity level, regularity, adaptability, approach to novelty, emotional intensity, quality of mood, sensory sensitivity, distractibility and persistence.

Research has shown that infants children and adults differ in a consistent way from one another on these dimensions and that these characteristics are part of the foundation of individual personality.

Why should someone know their temperamental qualities?

Completing the ATQ allows any adult to determine their own temperament qualities. Knowing this can be useful in understanding one's self and one's personal reactions to situations and events in life. This includes personal behavior as well as parenting behavior. Comparison of self ratings with standardized scores can show level of self awareness in adulthood.

What is the process and time commitment to complete the ATQ and receive results?

• read and agree to the terms and conditions of questionnaire use (about 2 minutes)
• pay the fee for the survey (about 5 minutes)
• fill out the questionnaire (about 10 minutes)
• receive results in the browser window (immediate)
• receive an email copy as a permanent record. (immediate)

What is needed to complete the Adult Temperament Questionnaire on the web?

• access to the internet,
• an active email address
• a valid credit card.(Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover).