Temperament can be best defined as:

The correct answer is Option (2) → Biologically based characteristic way of reacting

Option (1) Over-learnt mode of behaving — Incorrect. This is a habit: a way of behaving repeated so often that it has become over-learned.

Option (2) Biologically based characteristic way of reacting — Correct. Temperament is the biologically based characteristic way of reacting, a person’s inborn style of responding to situations.

Option (3) Stable, persistent and specific way of behaving — Incorrect. This defines a trait, such as honesty or sociability, which shows in a person’s behaviour across situations.

Option (4) The overall pattern of regularly occurring behaviour — Incorrect. This defines character, the whole pattern of behaviour that a person shows regularly.