2-101 - The Biology of Early Negative Affect

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Negative affect is an early appearing temperamental attribute that remains stable over time. A large body of literature has related negative affect to maladaptive outcomes across development, but little is known about the biological underpinnings of negative affect in early development.
This symposium applies multiple methods and biological approaches, including cortisol, electroencephalograms, event related potentials, and quantitative genetics, to understand the biology of negative affect in early development and addresses longitudinal correlates of negative affect. Each presentation contributes unique methodological and empirical information to the study of negative affect. For example, a study on negative affect and infant cortisol suggests that temperament and chronic stress may be intertwined in early development. Further, negative affect is associated with particular neural patterns as evidenced by electroencephalograms and event related potentials. A longitudinal twin study provides evidence for genetic and environmental influences on negative affect and shared genetic and environmental effects underlying a bidirectional relation between negative affect and negative parenting in early childhood.
The discussant, a highly regarded developmental psychologist and neuroscientist who was recently named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and researches in the areas of temperament, cognitive, and social development will provide an integrated analysis.

Sub Unit

• Social, Emotional, Personality

Chair

• Lauren Micalizzi, Boston University

Discussant

• Nathan A Fox, Univ of Maryland

Individual Presentations

• Biological Correlates of Infant Negative Affect: EEG and Cortisol - Presenting Author: Ashley St. John, Boston University; Amanda R Tarullo, Boston University

• Dimensions of Temperament in Infancy Predict Error-Related Brain Activity in Adolescence - Presenting Author: Tyson Tyson Barker Barker, University of Maryland, College Park; Nathan A Fox, Univ of Maryland

• Genetic and Environmental Links Between Difficult Temperament and Negative Parenting in Early Childhood - Presenting Author: Lauren Micalizzi, Boston University; Kimberly J Saudino, Boston University