Investigations of infant temperament consistently find positive associations between emotionality and positive anticipation/approach behaviors, including tendencies to engage in rash or ill-advised behaviors (Rothbart et al., 2000a). Behavioral studies find that rash behavior and low inhibitory control are related to both indicators of positive affectivity (smiling and laughter) and negative affectivity (anger/frustration and aggression: Rothbart, Derryberry, & Hershey, 2000b; Rothbart, Derryberry, & Posner, 1994; Rothbart, Ziaie, & O'Boyle, 1992). For example, infants’ positive affectivity and rates of approach behavior have been shown to relate to subsequent rash actions, higher anger, frustration, and aggression (Rothbart et al., 2000b). The same authors also found that proneness to anger at 10 months of age predicted subsequent high activity, positive anticipation, anger/frustration, high-intensity pleasure, rash behavior, and aggression. Thus, from infancy, high levels of emotionality tend to be associated with high levels of ill-considered, rash action.
