Individual Differences of Play-Target Pattern in Toy, Mother and Peer Situation as Consequence of Interaction between Attachment Type and Temperamental Disposition

In this report, we analyzed children's individual differences in shifts of pattern of play with three play-targets; toys, the mother and a peer in three situations at age 40 months. We related the play pattern to attachment type classified at 12 months of age and to temperamental disposition toward inhibition measured at 23 and 40 months of age. Children's patterns of play-target shift could be classified into five groups; two attachment-related,one temperament-related group and one attachment-temprament-interaction related group. Although the children who shifted play-target in an adaptive manner in each of three situations had been classified into attachment type B, they were only 1/3 of all B type children. While the children who showed difficulty in separating from the mother had temperamental disposition toward inhibition, they were only 1/3 of all inhibited children. Thus, independent and interactional influences of temperament and attachment on play were discussed. Key words: adaptive behavior; play-target; attachment type; temperament; interaction Some researchers have shown that the types of attachment, A, B, and C into whic