JEROME KAGAN Meaning and
Definition
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Jerome Kagan, born in 1929, is an American psychologist and professor at Harvard University. He is renowned for his pioneering research in the field of developmental psychology, particularly in the areas of temperament and emotional development.
Kagan's work has greatly influenced our understanding of how various factors, including genetics and environment, shape an individual's personality and behavior. He is best known for his studies on temperament, which refers to the characteristic patterns of an individual's emotional responses and reactivity. Kagan proposed that there are two key dimensions that help define temperament: inhibition and extraversion. He found that infants display varying levels of these traits and that they may have long-lasting effects on their subsequent emotional and behavioral development.
Kagan has also conducted extensive research on the effects of early experience on child development. He has examined how factors such as parenting style, socio-economic status, and cultural background impact children's cognitive and emotional development. Through his research, Kagan has emphasized the importance of a diverse range of factors in understanding human development, highlighting that nature and nurture both play significant roles.
Kagan's contributions to the field of psychology extend beyond his research. He has also published numerous books, including "The Nature of the Child" and "Three Seductive Ideas," which have helped educate and inspire generations of psychologists and researchers. Overall, Jerome Kagan's work has significantly shaped our understanding of human development, temperament, and the interplay between genetics and environment.
Etymology of JEROME KAGAN
The word "Jerome Kagan" is not derived from any specific etymology. It is a combination of a first and last name. "Jerome" is a masculine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek name "Hieronymos", meaning "sacred name" or "holy name". "Kagan" is a surname of Eastern European Jewish origin, commonly found among Ashkenazi Jews. The surname is often associated with people of Polish, Russian, or Ukrainian Jewish descent.
