Self-Report
Activation Control
1. I can make myself get out of bed when it’s time to wake up‚ even if I’m really tired.
2. I smile at people even when I don’t like them.
3. I can make myself do my homework first‚ even when I want to play.
4. I can make myself run as fast as I can‚ even when I’m really tired.
5. I can say “I’m sorry” or shake hands with someone I had a fight with.
6. It’s hard for me to make myself clean my room even when I know I should. R
7. I can still make myself take a band-aid off‚ even though it hurts a lot.
8. I do something fun for awhile before starting my homework‚ even though I’m not supposed to.
9. If I see a kid being left out‚ I can ask him or her to play with me and my friends.
10.It’s hard for me to keep working on an assignment when it gets boring. R
11.It’s hard for me to get moving when I’m tired. R
12.I can say hello to a new kid in my class even if I’m feeling shy.
13.Even when I know something will taste terrible‚ I can make myself eat it anyway.
14.I can make myself pick up something dirty to throw it away.
Activity Level
1. I like to run around at recess. Likes to run around outside.
2. I like PE.
3. I would rather play a sport than watch TV.
4. I have lots of energy. Is energetic.
5. I am always on the move.
6. I like to get out of the house and do something physical.
7. I like to do active things like sports or dancing.
8. I like to run.
Affiliation
1. I like just being with other people. Likes just being with other people.
2. I like to feel close to other people.
3. I like hugs and kisses.
4. I love pets and other small animals.
5. My friends are very important to me.
6. I would like to be friends with lots of people.
7. I would like to be able to spend time with a good friend every day.
8. I am a warm and friendly person.
9. I like to make others feel good.
Anger/Frustration
1. I get mad when recess is over.
2. I get mad when I don’t know how to do something.
3. I get mad when another kid takes one of my things.
4. When another kid says something mean to me‚ I get mad.
5. I get angry when I can’t find something I’m looking for.
6. I get mad when I make a mistake.
Assertiveness/Dominance
1. I like beating other kids at games.
2. I like to be in charge.
3. Other kids do what I do.
4. I like to make my own decisions.
5. I like winning arguments.
6. When I argue with another kid‚ I usually win.
7. When I’m in a group‚ I am the first one to speak up.
8. When I’m with other kids‚ I usually pick what we’re going to do.
Attention
1. It’s hard for me to work on one thing for a long time. R
2. I look around the room when doing my schoolwork. R
3. When I try to pay attention‚ I get distracted. R
4. When someone’s reading me a story‚ I have trouble paying attention. R
5. My teacher tells me to pay attention. R
6. My mom or dad tells me to pay attention. R
7. I have a hard time paying attention. R
Discomfort
1. It bothers me when the bath or shower water is too hot or too cold.
2. It bothers me when lights or colors are too bright.
3. I cry when I get a little bit hurt.
4. I feel like crying when I get a shot.
5. It hurts when I fall down.
6. I feel uncomfortable when I’m cold or wet.
7. It bothers me when sounds are too loud or scratchy.
8. It hurts a lot when I have a little cut.
9. I go to the nurse’s office when I have a little stomachache.
10.I get upset when someone combs my hair.
Fantasy/Openness
1. I like to draw.
2. I like to make things.
3. I like reading or listening to make-believe stories.
4. I like to make up stories.
5. I like poems.
6. I like to think about things no one else thinks about.
7. I like to pretend.
8. I have a big imagination.
Fear
1. I’m afraid of fire.
2. I’m afraid of monsters in the house
3. I’m afraid when I sleep over at someone’s house.
4. I’m afraid of loud noises.
5. I get scared before a doctor gives me a shot.
6. I’m afraid of the dark.
7. I’m afraid of heights.
8. I get scared by nightmares.
High Intensity Pleasure
1. I like to play chase.
2. I like going high and fast on the swings.
3. Sometimes I play so hard people think I might get hurt.
4. I like playing fast‚ noisy games
5. I like to ride my bike really fast down hills.
6. I like TV shows with lots of action.
7. I enjoy going places where there are big crowds and lots of excitement.
8. I think it would be exciting to move to a big city I’ve never seen.
9. Skiing or snowboarding down a steep hill really fast sounds scary to me.
Impulsivity
1. I do things without thinking about them first.
2. I decide what to do quickly then go and do it right away.
3. When I see something I like‚ I go for it right away.
4. I rush into doing new things.
5. I interrupt people when they’re talking.
6. I stop and think before I decide to do something. R
7. I talk before thinking about it.
8. I call out answers in class before the teacher calls on me.
9. I can’t help it‚ but I touch things without getting permission.
10.I grab what I want.
11.I make up my mind to do things all of a sudden.
12.I get into trouble because I do things without thinking first.
13.I say the first thing that comes into my head.
Inhibitory Control
1. It’s easy for me to wait to open a present.
2. When someone tells me “Stop‚” I can stop.
3. I am careful when I cross the street.
4. When I’m excited‚ it’s hard for me to wait my turn to talk. R
5. It’s easy for me to keep a secret.
6. It’s hard to slow down in the school hallways when I want to run. R
7. I like to plan carefully before I do something.
8. I can stop myself from doing things too quickly.
Low Intensity Pleasure
1. I like to sit under a blanket.
2. I like looking at books.
3. I like quiet reading time.
4. I like to look at trees.
5. I like the crunching sound of leaves in the fall.
6. I like the sound of poems.
Perceptual Sensitivity
1. I like to run my hand over things to see if they are smooth or rough.
2. I usually notice when my mom or dad is wearing something different.
3. I notice the sound of birds.
4. I can tell if another person is sad or angry by the look on their face.
5. I notice when there are little bits on dirt on things.
6. I notice smells like perfume‚ smoke‚ and cooking smells.
7. I touch fabric or other soft material.
8. I notice things that other people don’t notice.
9. I notice the color of people’s eyes.
Sadness
1. I feel sad even when other people feel happy.
2. I feel sad a lot.
3. If I don’t get to do something‚ I get sad.
4. When I’m tired‚ I cry.
5. When I can’t finish something‚ I feel sad.
6. When I have to do something I don’t want to do‚ I feel sad.
7. I cry when my toy is lost or broken.
8. It’s easy for people to hurt my feelings.
9. Sometimes I feel sad for no reason.
Shyness
1. I feel shy around new people.
2. I am shy.
3. I feel uncomfortable around others.
Soothability
1. When I cry‚ I cry for a long time. R
2. When I’m mad or sad‚ nothing helps me feel better. R
3. When I’m angry‚ I stay angry for a long time. R
4. When someone hurts my feelings‚ it feels bad for a long time. R
5. It’s easy for me to cheer up right away after feeling bad.
6. When I get scared‚ I feel nervous for a long time. R
Parent-Report
1. Likes poems.
2. Likes to be physically active.
3. Likes going down high slides or other adventurous activities.
4. Greatly enjoys playing games where s/he can win.
5. Is bothered by pain when s/he falls down.
6. Can stop him/herself when s/he is told to stop.
7. Is easily distracted when listening to a story.
8. Has a hard time settling down after an exciting activity.
9. Likes rough and rowdy games.
10. Likes the crunching sound of leaves in the fall.
11. Is afraid of fire.
12. Likes to think of new ideas.
13. Is afraid of heights.
14. Can’t help touching things without getting permission.
15. Is always on the move.
16. Tends to say the first thing that comes to mind‚ without stopping to think about it.
17. Looks around the room when doing homework. R
18. Would like to be friends with lots of people.
19. Is very difficult to soothe when s/he has become upset. R
20. Can make him/herself do homework‚ even when s/he wants to play.
21. Prefers playing outdoors to indoors when weather permits.
22. Interrupts others when they are talking.
23. Would rather play a sport than watch TV.
24. Tends to become sad if plans don’t work out.
25. Says the first thing that comes to mind.
26. Can say hello to a new child in class‚ even when feeling shy.
27. Sometimes appears to be downcast for no reason.
28. Has a hard time speaking when scared to answer a question.
29. Cheers up quickly.
30. Cries when given an injection.
31. Becomes sad when told to do something s/he does not want to do.
32. Likes to play quiet games.
33. Would like to spend time with a good friend every day.
34. Likes the sound of poems.
35. Cries sadly when a favorite toy gets lost or broken.
36. Notices the color of people’s eyes.
37. Likes to get out of the house and do something physical.
38. Becomes quite uncomfortable when cold or wet.
39. Can take a Band-Aid® off when needed‚ even when painful.
40. Can stop him/herself from doing things too quickly.
41. Enjoys exciting and suspenseful TV shows.
42. Usually stops and thinks things over before deciding to do something. R
43. Likes to run.
44. Notices the sound of birds.
45. Likes exploring new places.
46. Can make him/herself run fast‚ even when tired.
47. Becomes self conscious when around people.
48. Likes to make up stories.
49. Becomes tearful when tired.
50. Enjoys making her/his own decisions.
51. Is warm and friendly.
52. Would find moving to a new‚ big city exciting.
53. Gets very angry when another child takes his/her toy away.
54. Likes reading or listening to make believe stories.
55. Is shy with new people.
56. Has an easy time waiting to open a present.
57. Notices odors like perfume‚ smoke‚ and cooking smells.
58. Likes to make others feel good.
59. Can generally think of something to say‚ even with strangers.
60. Is followed by other children.
61. Gets angry when called in from play before s/he is ready to quit.
62. Can tell if another person is sad or angry by the look on their face.
63. Is scared of injections by the doctor.
64. When s/he cries‚ tends to cry for more than a couple of minutes at a time. R
65. Enjoys exciting places with big crowds.
66. Is energetic.
67. Likes listening to music.
68. Remains upset for hours when someone hurts his/her feelings. R
69. Is bothered by loud or scratchy sounds.
70. Has a hard time making him/herself clean own room. R
71. Enjoys drawing pictures.
72. Calls out answers before being called on by a teacher or group leader.
73. Enjoys looking at books.
74. Makes up mind suddenly.
75. Is afraid of burglars or the “boogie man.”
76. When a child is left out‚ can ask that child to play.
77. Touches fabric or other soft material.
78. When working on an activity‚ has a hard time keeping her/his mind on it. R
79. Has a hard time waiting his/her turn to talk when excited. R
80. Has a hard time paying attention. R
81. Is bothered by light or color that is too bright.
82. Needs to be told by teacher to pay attention. R
83. Often rushes into doing new things.
84. Is first to speak up in a group.
85. Is afraid of sleeping over at someone’s house.
86. Likes quiet reading time.
87. Gets angry when s/he can’t find something s/he is looking for.
88. Is very careful and cautious when crossing the street.
89. Has a hard time working on an assignment s/he finds boring. R
90. Is afraid of loud noises.
91. Goes to school nurse’s office for very minor complaints.
92. Likes the feel of warm water in a bath or shower.
93. Does a fun activity when s/he is supposed to do homework instead.
94. Gets angry when s/he has trouble with a task.
95. Likes to look at trees.
96. Likes to play so wildly and recklessly that s/he might get hurt.
97. Is told by others to “cheer up” and be happier.
98. When with other children‚ is the one to choose activities or games.
99. Gets angry when s/he makes a mistake.
100. Her/his feelings are easily hurt.
101. Can make him/herself get out of bed‚ even when tired.
102. Likes active games.
103. Can apologize or shake hands after a fight.
104. Has a big imagination.
105. When angry about something‚ s/he tends to stay upset for five minutes or longer. R
106. Places great importance on friends.
107. Seems to feel down when unable to accomplish a task.
108. Gets into trouble because s/he does things without thinking first.
109. Notices small changes in the environment‚ like lights getting brighter in a room.
110. Has temper tantrums when s/he doesn’t get what s/he wants.
111. Notices things others don’t notice.
112. Has a hard time going back to sleep after waking in the night.
113. Likes to sit under a blanket.
114. Notices even little specks of dirt on objects.
115. Enjoys playing chase.
116. Likes to pretend.
117. Gets nervous about going to the dentist.
118. Is shy.
119. Likes to go high and fast on the swings.
120. Needs to be told to pay attention. R
121. Would think that skiing or snowboarding fast sounds scary.
122. Usually wins arguments with other children.
123. Likes to run his/her hand over things to see if they are smooth or rough.
124. Grabs what s/he wants.
125. Becomes upset when hair is combed.
126. Enjoys riding bicycle fast and recklessly.
127. Likes to run around outside.
128. Decides what s/he wants very quickly and then goes after it.
129. Would like to confide in others.
130. Usually rushes into an activity without thinking about it.
131. Likes to be in charge.
132. Can make him/herself take medicine or eat food that s/he knows tastes bad.
133. Feels sad frequently.
134. Likes hugs and kisses.
135. Likes to plan carefully before doing something.
136. Acts insecure with others.
137. Feels nervous for a long time after being scared. R
138. Is quite upset by a little cut or bruise.
139. Can make him/herself pick up something dirty in order to throw it away.
140. Is afraid of the dark.
141. Is able to keep secrets.
142. Is bothered by bath water that is too hot or too cold.
143. Has a hard time slowing down when rules say to walk.
144. Tends to feel sad even when others are happy.
145. Loves pets and other small animals.
146. Gets mad when provoked by other children.
147. When s/he sees a toy or a game s/he wants‚ is eager to have it right away.
148. Likes to feel close to other people.
149. Gets distracted when trying to pay attention in class. R
150. Notices when parents are wearing new clothing.
151. Likes to make things.
152. Has a hard time getting moving when tired. R
153. Is very frightened by nightmares.
154. Is likely to cry when even a little bit hurt.
155. Enjoys winning arguments.
156. Likes just being with other people.
157. Can make him/herself smile at someone‚ even when s/he dislikes them.
• Children’s Behavior Questionnaire – Short Form
• Children’s Behavior Questionnaire-Very Short Form
This instrument can be found on pages 100-108 of “The role of reward sensitivity and response execution in childhood extraversion”‚ available online at:
5-point scale from “not at all” to “a lot.”
1 Almost always untrue of your child‚ 2 Usually untrue of your child‚ 3 Sometimes true‚ sometimes untrue of your child‚ 4 Usually true of your child‚ 5 Almost always true of your child‚ NA (not applicable).
For questions regarding the TMCQ‚ contact Jennifer Simonds at [email protected] (postal mail: Department of Psychology‚ Westminster College‚ 1840 south 1300 east‚ Salt Lake City‚ UT‚ 84105)
Please note that these questionnaires are to be used for research purposes only. If you are interested in acquiring current versions of these instruments‚ we request that you first complete our request form‚ providing us with a brief description of your plans for use of the measures. Following the completion of your research‚ we request that you contact us to inform us of the results of your project as they relate to the temperament scales. In this way‚ we hope to coordinate attempts at validation of the scales.
Rothbart‚ M. K.‚ Ahadi‚ S. A.‚ Hershey‚ K. L.‚ & Fisher‚ P. (2001). Investigations of temperament at three to seven years: The Children’s Behavior Questionnaire. Child Development‚ 72(5)‚ 1394-1408.
Simonds‚ J. (2006). The role of reward sensitivity and response: execution in childhood extraversion. Unpublished doctoral dissertation‚ University of Oregon.
Simonds‚ J. & Rothbart‚ M. K. (2004). The Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire (TMCQ): A computerized self-report measure of temperament for ages 7-10. Poster session presented at the Occasional Temperament Conference‚ Athens‚ GA.