24th Occasional Temperament Conference
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The 24th edition of the Occasional Temperament Conference will take place October 5-7 2023 in Orford, Québec, Canada.
The Occasional Temperament Conference (OTC) welcomes researchers, students and practitioners from around the world who have a special interest in the study of temperament and its use in a variety of contexts. Given that it brings together prominent experts in the field into a small-scale setting, the OTC offers a unique opportunity for networking with leaders and colleagues who are passionate about the study and applications of temperament.
The 24th edition of the OTC will feature two distinguished keynote speakers and seven symposiums covering multiple domains, from the biological underpinnings of temperament to its practical applications.
Organizing committee
Chair :
Jean-Pascal Lemelin, Université de Sherbrooke
Co-Chairs :
Annie Bernier, Université de Montréal
Nicolas Berthelot, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Yann Le Corff, Université de Sherbrooke
Preconference Workshops, Conference Program, and Submissions
Preconference workshops
Preconference workshops will be offered to registered participants on Thursday, October 5th 2023.
Latent Profile Analysis in Temperament Research (10:00am – 12:00pm)
Room : Cordial
Roy Martin (University of Georgia, USA)
The use of Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to isolate groups of individuals with similar personality or temperament profiles is becoming a progressively more popular research technique. Unfortunately, textbooks and other materials available often do not cover the advantages and problems in applying this technique to the kinds of variables temperament researchers are interested in. The workshop will address several issues that are critical to understand when using this technique including: (a) what are the best criteria for deciding on the optimal number of clusters (groups of children with similar profile); (b) what are the advantages and disadvantages of using factor scores versus scale scores and temperament indicators; (c) how many research participants do I need; (d) how many temperament indicators are optimal for a given sample size. These questions will be addressed based on recent research by the presenter. All examples of LPA analyses will use MPlus and specific instructions for setting up the analyses will be provided. The workshop will be relevant for those who wish to explore this type of analysis for the first time and for current users.
Caring for the Spirited Child (10:00am – 12:00pm)
Room : Cherry River
Sean McDevitt (Behavioral-Developmental Initiatives)
Practitioners in primary care, early intervention, education and behavioral health frequently encounter ‘spirited’ children during the course of their professional activities. This preconference will discuss how awareness of temperamental individuality can improve the quality and efficacy of professional care in dealing with these youngsters. The emphasis will be on uses of of temperament in applied settings.
Topics to be covered include:
- Conceptual model of the relationship between temperament, adjustment and psychopathology.
- Indications for clinical and psychometric temperament assessment;
- Levels of patient education about temperament;
- Goals for behavioral intervention/parenting techniques;
The presentation will also demonstrate how temperament can be a resource, or a complication, in providing care to spirited children and their families.
This session is intended primarily for individuals working directly with children and families. Interested researchers and scholars are also welcome to attend.
Hippocrates Revisited: Neurochemical Biomarkers of Temperament and Psychopathology (1:00pm – 3:00pm)
Room : Cordial
Irina Trofimova & William Sulis (McMaster University, Canada)
This workshop presents a condensed and comprehensive review of the neurochemical biomarkers underlying temperament traits in healthy people and symptoms of psychopathology. Participants will learn a 12-component framework (Functional Ensemble of Temperament, FET) that summarises functional specialisation within neurotransmitter systems. Examples of the FET-structured temperament profiles in patients with mental disorders will be reviewed based on clinical studies. Compatibility of the proposed framework with leading temperament models and DSM-ICD classifications of mental disorders will be discussed. Learning Objectives:
- Explain the differences between concepts of temperament, abilities, personality, and psychopathology
- Discuss the functionality of neurochemical biomarkers of 12 universal functional aspects of behaviour (Functional Ensemble of Temperament framework, FET)
- Compare the main temperament and personality models in the presented 12-component neurochemical framework FET
- Illustrate the use of a compact screening temperament test that follows the FET structure in a screening of healthy and clinical samples
A Preconference on New INSIGHTS (1:00pm – 5:30pm)
Room : Cherry River
Sandee McClowry (New York University, USA)
New INSIGHTS into Children’s Temperament (INSIGHTS) is an evidence-based intervention with programs for young children and for elementary school educators and parents. The programs can be conducted separately or concurrently. INSIGHTS features four characters who depict typical school-age temperament profiles: Coretta the Cautious who is shy; Gregory the Grumpy who is high maintenance; Freddy the Friendly who is very social; and Hilary the Hard Worker who is industrious. Multiple large randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that INSIGHTS enhances children’s behavioral development and academic skills. The intervention also increases classroom management and parenting skills. With recent funding from the US Institute of Education Sciences, the programs’ materials have been updated, are technology-enhanced, and available remotely.
Both the educator and parenting programs include 6 self-paced hour-long lessons and 7 facilitated remote sessions that assist participants in applying the content to individual children. The children’s program consists of 10 lessons with classroom mitten puppets depicting each of the characters, videos, e-books, workbooks, and an electronic dilemma board.
Who is this preconference intended for?
- Clinicians and researchers who are interested in learning about the New INSIGHTS programs and their outcomes;
- Clinicians who are interested in becoming certified as a NEW INSIGHTS To be fully certified, clinicians would need to conduct the program(s) with the developer, Sandee McClowry. Once certified, facilitators can conduct the program in their own communities or for INSIGHTS Intervention, LLC.
Please note: The NEW INSIGHTS programs are only available through INSIGHTS Intervention, LLC. Facilitators will be paid by the company when they conduct the programs. To learn more about NEW INSIGHTS and to see some of the updated materials, check out our website: insightsintervention.com or contact Sandee McClowry (sandee.mcclowry@nyu.edu)
Speaking Up for the Quiet Ones: Shy Children at School (cancelled)
Robert J. Coplan (Carleton University, Canada)
The aims of this workshop are to: (1) provide an overview of the development and implications of shyness in childhood; (2) describe some of the unique challenges that shy children in the school context; and (3) consider ‘best practices’ for teachers to supporting shy students. Overall, childhood shyness is associated with peer difficulties (e.g., rejection, victimization), internalizing problems (e.g., anxiety, loneliness), and school challenges (e.g., academic under-achievement, school refusal). Yet, there is considerable variation in the outcomes of shyness at school. And of course, shy children also possess many unique and positive characteristics that help to enrich the classroom. The content of this workshop is drawn from more than 30 years of my previous research exploring the etiology of childhood shyness, risk and protective factors that serve to modulate developmental trajectories of shyness, as well as teachers’ beliefs and responses to shy students in the classroom.
The 24th edition of the OTC will include seven symposiums chaired by experts in the field.
Symposiums will be presented on Friday, October 6th 2023, and Saturday, October 7th.
Room : Champêtre
- Adversity, vulnerability, psychopathology, and temperament
Chairs: Kirby Deater-Deckard, University of Massachussetts Amherst, and Santiago Morales, University of Southern California - Neuroscience, biology, and temperament
Chair: Martha Ann Bell, Virginia Tech - Social relationships, parenting, and temperament
Chair: Tracy Spinrad, Arizona State University - Practical and clinical applications of temperament
Chair: Sean McDevitt, Behavioral-Developmental Initiatives - Temperament in the school context
Chair: Kathleen Rudasill, Virginia Commonwealth University - Development and measurement of temperament
Chair: Koraly Perez-Edgar, Pennsylvania State University - Culture, gender, and temperament
Chair: Samuel Putnam, Bowdoin College
Poster presentations
Posters will be presented on Friday, October 6th 2023, 4:00pm – 5:30pm.
Room : Cherry River
Preconference Workshops, Conference Program, and Submissions
Preconference workshops
Preconference workshops will be offered to registered participants on Thursday, October 5th 2023.
Latent Profile Analysis in Temperament Research (10:00am – 12:00pm)
Room : Cordial
Roy Martin (University of Georgia, USA)
The use of Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to isolate groups of individuals with similar personality or temperament profiles is becoming a progressively more popular research technique. Unfortunately, textbooks and other materials available often do not cover the advantages and problems in applying this technique to the kinds of variables temperament researchers are interested in. The workshop will address several issues that are critical to understand when using this technique including: (a) what are the best criteria for deciding on the optimal number of clusters (groups of children with similar profile); (b) what are the advantages and disadvantages of using factor scores versus scale scores and temperament indicators; (c) how many research participants do I need; (d) how many temperament indicators are optimal for a given sample size. These questions will be addressed based on recent research by the presenter. All examples of LPA analyses will use MPlus and specific instructions for setting up the analyses will be provided. The workshop will be relevant for those who wish to explore this type of analysis for the first time and for current users.
Caring for the Spirited Child (10:00am – 12:00pm)
Room : Cherry River
Sean McDevitt (Behavioral-Developmental Initiatives)
Practitioners in primary care, early intervention, education and behavioral health frequently encounter ‘spirited’ children during the course of their professional activities. This preconference will discuss how awareness of temperamental individuality can improve the quality and efficacy of professional care in dealing with these youngsters. The emphasis will be on uses of of temperament in applied settings.
Topics to be covered include:
- Conceptual model of the relationship between temperament, adjustment and psychopathology.
- Indications for clinical and psychometric temperament assessment;
- Levels of patient education about temperament;
- Goals for behavioral intervention/parenting techniques;
The presentation will also demonstrate how temperament can be a resource, or a complication, in providing care to spirited children and their families.
This session is intended primarily for individuals working directly with children and families. Interested researchers and scholars are also welcome to attend.
Hippocrates Revisited: Neurochemical Biomarkers of Temperament and Psychopathology (1:00pm – 3:00pm)
Room : Cordial
Irina Trofimova & William Sulis (McMaster University, Canada)
This workshop presents a condensed and comprehensive review of the neurochemical biomarkers underlying temperament traits in healthy people and symptoms of psychopathology. Participants will learn a 12-component framework (Functional Ensemble of Temperament, FET) that summarises functional specialisation within neurotransmitter systems. Examples of the FET-structured temperament profiles in patients with mental disorders will be reviewed based on clinical studies. Compatibility of the proposed framework with leading temperament models and DSM-ICD classifications of mental disorders will be discussed. Learning Objectives:
- Explain the differences between concepts of temperament, abilities, personality, and psychopathology
- Discuss the functionality of neurochemical biomarkers of 12 universal functional aspects of behaviour (Functional Ensemble of Temperament framework, FET)
- Compare the main temperament and personality models in the presented 12-component neurochemical framework FET
- Illustrate the use of a compact screening temperament test that follows the FET structure in a screening of healthy and clinical samples
A Preconference on New INSIGHTS (1:00pm – 5:30pm)
Room : Cherry River
Sandee McClowry (New York University, USA)
New INSIGHTS into Children’s Temperament (INSIGHTS) is an evidence-based intervention with programs for young children and for elementary school educators and parents. The programs can be conducted separately or concurrently. INSIGHTS features four characters who depict typical school-age temperament profiles: Coretta the Cautious who is shy; Gregory the Grumpy who is high maintenance; Freddy the Friendly who is very social; and Hilary the Hard Worker who is industrious. Multiple large randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that INSIGHTS enhances children’s behavioral development and academic skills. The intervention also increases classroom management and parenting skills. With recent funding from the US Institute of Education Sciences, the programs’ materials have been updated, are technology-enhanced, and available remotely.
Both the educator and parenting programs include 6 self-paced hour-long lessons and 7 facilitated remote sessions that assist participants in applying the content to individual children. The children’s program consists of 10 lessons with classroom mitten puppets depicting each of the characters, videos, e-books, workbooks, and an electronic dilemma board.
Who is this preconference intended for?
- Clinicians and researchers who are interested in learning about the New INSIGHTS programs and their outcomes;
- Clinicians who are interested in becoming certified as a NEW INSIGHTS To be fully certified, clinicians would need to conduct the program(s) with the developer, Sandee McClowry. Once certified, facilitators can conduct the program in their own communities or for INSIGHTS Intervention, LLC.
Please note: The NEW INSIGHTS programs are only available through INSIGHTS Intervention, LLC. Facilitators will be paid by the company when they conduct the programs. To learn more about NEW INSIGHTS and to see some of the updated materials, check out our website: insightsintervention.com or contact Sandee McClowry (sandee.mcclowry@nyu.edu)
Speaking Up for the Quiet Ones: Shy Children at School (cancelled)
Robert J. Coplan (Carleton University, Canada)
The aims of this workshop are to: (1) provide an overview of the development and implications of shyness in childhood; (2) describe some of the unique challenges that shy children in the school context; and (3) consider ‘best practices’ for teachers to supporting shy students. Overall, childhood shyness is associated with peer difficulties (e.g., rejection, victimization), internalizing problems (e.g., anxiety, loneliness), and school challenges (e.g., academic under-achievement, school refusal). Yet, there is considerable variation in the outcomes of shyness at school. And of course, shy children also possess many unique and positive characteristics that help to enrich the classroom. The content of this workshop is drawn from more than 30 years of my previous research exploring the etiology of childhood shyness, risk and protective factors that serve to modulate developmental trajectories of shyness, as well as teachers’ beliefs and responses to shy students in the classroom.
The 24th edition of the OTC will include seven symposiums chaired by experts in the field.
Symposiums will be presented on Friday, October 6th 2023, and Saturday, October 7th.
Room : Champêtre
- Adversity, vulnerability, psychopathology, and temperament
Chairs: Kirby Deater-Deckard, University of Massachussetts Amherst, and Santiago Morales, University of Southern California - Neuroscience, biology, and temperament
Chair: Martha Ann Bell, Virginia Tech - Social relationships, parenting, and temperament
Chair: Tracy Spinrad, Arizona State University - Practical and clinical applications of temperament
Chair: Sean McDevitt, Behavioral-Developmental Initiatives - Temperament in the school context
Chair: Kathleen Rudasill, Virginia Commonwealth University - Development and measurement of temperament
Chair: Koraly Perez-Edgar, Pennsylvania State University - Culture, gender, and temperament
Chair: Samuel Putnam, Bowdoin College
Poster presentations
Posters will be presented on Friday, October 6th 2023, 4:00pm – 5:30pm.
Room : Cherry River
Venue, Accomodation, Registration, and Transportation
Venue
The OTC will be held in an idyllic natural setting named the Manoir des Sables, in Orford, Québec, Canada.
Orford is situated just outside of the city of Sherbrooke, in a region called the Eastern Townships. Early October is right in the middle of the “Season of Colors” in the Eastern Townships, a part of the year characterized by the beauty of the outdoor nature and the autumn leaves.
Accommodation
The OTC will be hosted at the Manoir des Sables. Rooms are reserved for delegates until August 19th 2023. Participants are invited to book their accommodation before this date if they want to sleep on site.
Accommodation is not included in the registration rate and should be booked separately.
Rates are 184.30$CAN + taxes per person for single occupancy and 104.80$CAN + taxes per person for double occupancy. These include breakfast and gratuity. A supplement of 40$CAN + taxes is added for October 7th.
*Room availability might vary depending on the night. More rooms are available on October 5th and 6th. Make sure to verify room availability for each night.
Other hotels located at walking distance or at a short drive from the Manoir des Sables (from 2* to 4*):
- Hôtel Chéribourg : https://hotelcheribourg.com/
- Estrimont Suites & Spa : https://www.estrimont.ca/
- Espace 4 Saisons : https://espace4saisons.com/
- Auberge Comme chez soi : https://www.commechezsoi.ca/new-index#auberge
- Auberge de la Tour et Spa : https://www.auberge-de-la-tour.com/fr-ca
- Motel de la Montagne : https://motelmo.ca/
- Condo Hôtel Magog Orford : https://www.condohotelmagogorford.com/
- Destination Mont-Orford Appartements-Chalets : https://www.bonjourquebec.com/en-us/listing/lodging/destination-mont-orford-inc/1i48
Registration
| CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES | Early Bird Rate (Before July 30th) |
Regular Rate (Until September 15th) |
| Faculty | 395$CAN | 425$CAN |
| Students & postdocs | 195$CAN | 225$CAN |
| Spouse | 175$CAN |
For participants, registration fees include all coffee breaks, two lunches (October 6 & 7) and the Gala dinner (October 6). For spouses, registration fees include two lunches (October 6 & 7) and the Gala dinner (October 6).
Registration is now closed.
Getting there
The Manoir des Sables is accessible to participants travelling by air or by car or taxi.
By Air
Arrangements should be made in advance for people flying to Québec. Orford is approximately 1.5 hour drive from the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.
From the Montreal airport, using the services from Aéronavette is the easiest way to reach the conference location. The shuttle is available 24/7. Reservations can be made on the Aéronavette website once delegates have booked their flight. The fee is 152$CND + taxes for a round trip.
By Car
The Manoir des Sables is located at 90, avenue des Jardins, Orford, Québec, J1X 6M6. See the Map here.
Participants arriving from the USA: The U.S. Route 91 directly leads to the Orford Region. The Manoir des Sables is approximately 30 minutes from the border.
Free parking is available at the Manoir des Sables.
By Taxi
Taxi Magog Orford : 1-819-843-3377 or taximagogorford1@bellnet.ca
Note: We encourage you to book your trip in advance.
Sponsors
Département de psychologie
