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Behavioral Inhibition: Temperament or Prodrome?

Koraly E Pérez-Edgar1, Amanda E Guyer2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Child Study Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park.

Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports
|August 8, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Behavioral Inhibition (BI), an early-life temperament, is linked to social anxiety disorder. This overview explores their biobehavioral profiles and distinctions to guide future research and interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Clinical psychology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Individual differences in temperament appear early in infancy.
  • Heightened sensitivity to novelty can lead to social withdrawal.
  • Extreme forms of this temperament, Behavioral Inhibition (BI), are linked to social anxiety disorder risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature connecting Behavioral Inhibition and anxiety.
  • To highlight unique biobehavioral profiles of BI and anxiety.
  • To differentiate the form and function of BI and anxiety.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis.
  • Comparative analysis of biobehavioral data.
  • Identification of distinguishing features between BI and anxiety.

Main Results:

  • Behavioral Inhibition shares similarities with social anxiety disorder.
  • Evidence suggests distinct biobehavioral patterns may differentiate the two.
  • BI may represent a milder form or precursor to social anxiety disorder.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the distinctions between BI and anxiety is crucial for early intervention.
  • Further research is needed to clarify unresolved issues in their relationship.
  • This knowledge can inform targeted therapeutic interventions for developmental disorders.

Keywords:
Biological MechanismsDevelopmental PsychopathologySocial AnxietySocioemotioanl DevelopmentTemperament

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