Approach-related emotion, toddlers' persistence, and negative reactions to failure

Approach behavior, defined as differences in behavior to an incentive event and anger at its removal, was assessed during contingency learning in 87 5-month-olds was related to maternal ratings of mastery behaviors at two years. Mothers reported on infants' concurrent temperament, as well as the occurrence of anger and tantrums, and their own anger at 12 months. Approach behavior was expected to predict persistence with objects and persistent...