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Ecological context independently contributed to variations in approach, intensity,
mood, and distractibility. Parental characteristics did not independently contribute
but appeared to influence the relation between ecological context and mood,
intensity, and distractibility. The findings suggest that temperament variations
associated with ecological context may result from differences in maternal
ethnotheories about rate of development and vulnerability of children and that
knowledge of the national language and increased education without transformation of
ecological context may have influenced ethnotheories on rate of development rather
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