The Science of PersonalityBy: Meagan Hopkins

The Biology and Chemistry of Personality

• Relatively new area of research

•Only strong correlational findings so far•Not causational

Two Main PersonalitiesTwo Main Personality types

Extroverts

Introverts

The Logic

• If neural systems determine behavior and personality influences behavior in certain environments, shouldn’t personality be influenced by neural systems?

If our behaviors determine which end of the personality spectrum we lie on, shouldn’t there be neurological differences between introverts and extroverted personalities?

Introverts tend to be thinkers

Extroverted qualities have a negative correlation with GABA

• GABA= Neurotransmitter associated with stimulus

Happiness?

NO VALID CORRELATION FOUND TO EXPLAIN HAPPINESS

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

After looking at all of these studies,

Which end of the personality spectrum is “better”?

• Neither end of the personality spectrum is necessary better

The End