Lab-TAB (Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery)

Goal/Objective:

Our goal in developing Lab-TAB is to make available a standardized instrument for laboratory assessment of early temperament.  Lab-TAB comprises a set of 3-5 minute episodes that simulate everyday situations in which one can reliably observe individual differences in the expression of emotion, in approach/avoidance and other instrumental behavior, in activity level, and in regulatory aspects of behavior (or temperament).  With the availability of Lab-TAB, it will no longer be necessary to develop laboratory measures of temperament anew for every study.  Appropriate standardization data on large samples will allow assignment of more accurate scores rather than relying on standardization in individual samples.  Lab-TAB will also facilitate comparison of results across studies from different laboratories.

Versions:

Currently, we have four versions of the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery: two infant versions, one for children who have started to crawl (locomotor) and one for those who have not (prelocomotor), a version for preschoolers, and a version for children in middle childhood. 

Prelocomotor

The Prelocomotor Lab-TAB assessment includes episodes addressing Fear, Anger, Joy/Pleasure, Interest/Persistence, and Activity Level.

Locomotor

The Locomotor Lab-TAB assessment includes episodes addressing Fear, Anger, Joy/Pleasure, Interest/Persistence, and Activity Level.

Preschool

The Preschool Lab-TAB assessment includes episodes addressing Fear, Distress, Exuberance, Interest/Persistence, Activity Level, Inhibitory Control, and Contentment.

Middle Childhood

TBAQ and Lab-TAB.

Researchers seeking information or copies of Dr. Goldsmith's measures may request a copy here.