Goodness Of Fit

Goodness of fit, as used in psychology and parenting, describes the compatibility of a person's temperament with the features of their particular social environment.

All environments, i.e. family, lifestyle, workplace, etc. have differing characteristics and demands. Goodness of fit is an important component in the emotional adjustment of an individual. Children with difficult temperaments, or temperaments that are at variance with their parents', and grow up with parents who are rejecting or inconsistent, have more difficulty with adjustment and development than children with supportive and consistent parents (for instance, a "geeky" kid growing up in a family that values athletic achievement will have problems if the family rejects that child's unique talents and interests.) For children with emotional challenges "goodness of fit" is an important component in how well they will adjust and adapt to different situations in the future.