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Biological basis of personalityFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The biological basis of personalityis the theory that personality is influenced by the biology of the brain.

Though closely related to personality psychology, the biological basis of personality focuses

on whyor howpersonality traits manifest through biology, in addition to identifying personality traits. This is

investigated by correlating personality traits with scientific data from experimental methods such as brain

imaging andmolecular genetics.

Much of the current understanding of personality from a neurobiological perspective places an emphasis on the

biochemistry of the behavioral systems of reward, motivation, and punishment. This has led to a few

biologically based personality theories such as ysenck!s three factor model of personality,

"rey!s reinforcement sensitivity theory#$%T&, and'loninger!s model of personality. The Big Five model of

personalityis not biologically based( yet some research in the differences in brain structures provided biological

support also for this model.

Contents

)hide*

+ efining -ersonality in Biological 'ontext

/istory of Biology0Based -ersonality $esearch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Biological_basis_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Lead_sectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Lead_sectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiabilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiabilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiabilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary.2C_secondary_and_tertiary_sourceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary.2C_secondary_and_tertiary_sourceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_geneticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_geneticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Eysenck#Model_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement_sensitivity_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloninger#Temperament_and_Character_Inventoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traitshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traitshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Defining_Personality_in_Biological_Contexthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Defining_Personality_in_Biological_Contexthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#History_of_Biology-Based_Personality_Researchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inside_my_head_cropped.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Inside_my_head_cropped.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Biological_basis_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Lead_sectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiabilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary.2C_secondary_and_tertiary_sourceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_geneticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Eysenck#Model_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement_sensitivity_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloninger#Temperament_and_Character_Inventoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traitshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traitshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Defining_Personality_in_Biological_Contexthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#History_of_Biology-Based_Personality_Researchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality


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1 xperimental Techni2ues

3 "enetic 4 Molecular 'orrelations to -ersonality

o 3.+ 5eurotransmitters

o 3. "enes

o 3.1 %ynaptic -lasticity

6 -ersonality Theories with Biological Basis

o 6.+ ysenck!s Three Factor Model of -ersonality

o 6. "ray!s $einforcement %ensitivity Theory #$%T&

o 6.1 'loninger Model of -ersonality

o 6.3 Five Factor Model of -ersonality

7 %ee also

8 $eferences

efining -ersonality in Biological 'ontext)edit*

-ersonalitycan be defined as a set of characteristics or traits that drive individual differences in human

behavior. From a biological perspective, these traits can be traced back to brain structures and neural

mechanisms. /owever, this definition and theory of biological basis is not universally accepted. There are

many conflicting theories of personality in the fields of psychology,psychiatry, philosophy, and neuroscience.9

few examples of this are the nature vs. nurturedebate and how the idea of a !soul! fits into biological theories of

personality.)+*

/istory of Biology0Based -ersonality $esearch)edit*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Experimental_Techniqueshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Genetic_.26_Molecular_Correlations_to_Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Neurotransmittershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Geneshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Synaptic_Plasticityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Personality_Theories_with_Biological_Basishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Eysenck.27s_Three_Factor_Model_of_Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Gray.27s_Reinforcement_Sensitivity_Theory_.28RST.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Cloninger_Model_of_Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Five_Factor_Model_of_Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurosciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurosciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_versus_nurturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_versus_nurturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux-1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Experimental_Techniqueshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Genetic_.26_Molecular_Correlations_to_Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Neurotransmittershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Geneshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Synaptic_Plasticityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Personality_Theories_with_Biological_Basishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Eysenck.27s_Three_Factor_Model_of_Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Gray.27s_Reinforcement_Sensitivity_Theory_.28RST.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Cloninger_Model_of_Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Five_Factor_Model_of_Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personalityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurosciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_versus_nurturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux-1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=2


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/ans ysenck

%ince the time of the 9ncient "reeks, humankind has attempted to explain personality through spiritual beliefs,philosophy, and psychology. /istorically, studies of personality have traditionally come from the social sciences

and humanities, but in the past two decades neuroscience has begun to be more influential in the

understanding of human personality.)*

/owever, the most cited and influential figures in publishing the first biology0based personality theories

are/ans ysenckand:effrey 9lan "ray. ysenck used both behavioral

andpsychophysiologicalmethodologies to test and develop his theories.)1*/e published a book in +;38

called Dimensions of Personality, describing the personality dimensions of xtraversion and 5euroticism. "ray,

a student of ysenck, studied personality traits as individual differences in sensitivity to rewarding and

punishing stimuli.)1*The significance of "ray!s work and theories was his use of biology to define behavior,

which stimulated a lot of subse2uent research.)3*

The idea of biology0based personality research is relatively new, but growing in interest and number of

publications.)6*


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2uestionnaires. /owever, personality 2uestionnaires may be biased because they are self0reported. 9s a

result, scientists emphasi?e using several different measures of personality, )8*)@*rather than solely self0reported

measures of personality. For example, another measure of personality traits is observation of behavior. Both

humans and animals have been observed to measure personality traits, but animals are particularly useful for

studying the long0term behavioral0biological relationship of personality. );*

Method Function Significance

Electroencephalography(EEG

)

This method measures electrical activity onthe surface of the brain through the scalp,

and has the high temporal resolution.[]

!efore the advent of brain imaging

technology, the only method to measure

brain activity "as

electroencephalography (EEG).[]

!rain #maging

The method allo"s for vie"ing the $%structure of the brain. &unctional brain

imaging allo"s for vie"ing $% brainactivity, sho"n as flo" of blood or

chemicals in the brain. 'pecific eamples of

machines are Positron Emission

Tomography(PET) andagnetic

*esonance #maging(*#), "hich both have

highspatial resolution.

The development of brain imagingtechnology has not only allo"ed for,

but has served as a catalyst to the

investigation of ho" the brain

contributes to personality.[$]

olecular Genetics

This method is used to analy+e a genetrait

lin-, by measuring the structure and function

of genes in the brain.[]

The use of molecular genetics in

biologybased personality research is

epected to gro".[]

olecular/ssays

This method is used to analy+e the amount

of psychoactive substances, such as

hormones and neurotransmitters.

Together, these t"o methods canspecifically 0uantify, define, and

manipulate the effects of brain

molecules on behavior and personality

traits. This has great clinical

significance for treatment ofpersonality

disorders.Pharmacological

anipulation

This method is used to alter the levels of

biochemicals, and observe the effects on

behavior.

"enetic 4 Molecular 'orrelations to -ersonality)edit*

Neurotransmitters)edit*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Zuckerman-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Mehta_and_Gosling-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroencephalographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporal_resolutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron_Emission_Tomographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron_Emission_Tomographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_Resonance_Imaginghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_Resonance_Imaginghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_Resonance_Imaginghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_Resonance_Imaginghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_resolutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_resolutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-CorrPerkins2006-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_Geneticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Canli5-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Canli5-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Zuckerman-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Mehta_and_Gosling-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroencephalographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporal_resolutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron_Emission_Tomographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron_Emission_Tomographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_Resonance_Imaginghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_Resonance_Imaginghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_resolutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-CorrPerkins2006-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_Geneticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Canli5-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=5


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opamine and %erotonin pathways

The biology0based personality theories #discussed below& are based on correlating personality traits with

behavioral systems related to motivation, reward, and punishment. An a broad level, this involves the

autonomic nervous system, fear0processing circuits in theamygdala, the reward pathway from theventral

tegmental area#T9& to the nucleus accumbensand prefrontal cortex. 9ll of these circuits heavily rely on

neurotransmitters and their precursors, but there has been the most research support for dopamine and

serotonin pathwaysC

opamineCopamine is a monoamine neurotransmitterthat has been found to promote exploratory

behavior.)+=*opaminergic pathways have been specifically correlated with the extraversion trait of the Five

Factor Model of -ersonality. )8*Themonoamine oxidase#M9A& en?yme has a preferential affinity for

dopamine, and is correlated with sensation seeking.)@*

%erotoninC %erotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter, and has been found to promote avoidance

behavior through inhibitory pathways.)+=*%pecifically, serotonin has been associated with 5euroticism,

9greeableness, and 'onscientiousness #traits defined by the Five Factor Model of -ersonality&.)8*

Genes)edit*

-revious studies show that genes account for at most 6= percent of a given trait. )+*/owever, it is widely

accepted that variance in gene se2uence affect behavior, and genes are a significant risk factor forpersonality

disorders.)++*With the growing interest in using molecular genetics in tracing the biological basis of personality,

)7*there may be more gene0trait links found in the future.

arying polymorphismsand se2uence repeats in the gene fordopamine receptor 3and serotonin transporter

gene 60/TTD-$,have both been found to influence the extraversion trait in adults. %pecifically, study

participants with at least one copy of the 80repeat variant of the dopamine receptor 3 gene had higher scores

of self0reported extraversion.)7*This suggests that dopamine and serotonin interact to regulate the conflicting

behavioral traits of careless exploration vs. cautious inhibition.)+=*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amygdalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_tegmental_areahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_tegmental_areahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_tegmental_areahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_tegmental_areahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleus_accumbenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopaminehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopaminehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_neurotransmitterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_neurotransmitterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_oxidasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_oxidasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_oxidasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Zuckerman-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotoninhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_neurotransmitterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disordershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disordershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disordershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Whittle-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Canli-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymorphism_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_receptor_D4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_receptor_D4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_receptor_D4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-HTTLPRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-HTTLPRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Canli-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dopamineseratonin.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dopamineseratonin.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amygdalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_tegmental_areahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_tegmental_areahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleus_accumbenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopaminehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_neurotransmitterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_oxidasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Zuckerman-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotoninhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_neurotransmitterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-DeYoung2010-7http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disordershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disordershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Whittle-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Canli-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymorphism_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_receptor_D4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-HTTLPRhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Canli-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-Ebstein-10


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Synaptic Plasticity)edit*

%ynaptic plasticityrefers to the ability of neurons to strengthen or weaken the connections between them.

9ccording to/ebbian theory, these connections are strengthened and maintained through repeated stimulation

between neurons. %pecifically, there is an emphasis onlong0term potentiation#DT-&, which is the prolonged

strengthening of synaptic connections that facilitate learning from experience.

An a larger scale, there are many pathways and brain regions that are interdependent and contribute to a

cohesive, stable personality. For example, the amygdala andhippocampusof the limbic systemmediate

emotional intensity and consolidate memory of these experiences. But the basic mechanism by which these

pathways and brain regions perform these functions, is synaptic plasticity. Eltimately, it boils down to this

feature of neurons that allows the brain to learn from repeated experiences, retain memories, and ultimately

maintain personality.)+*:oseph Deoux, an award0winning neuroscientist, asserts that although humans share

the same brain systems, it is the uni2ue wiring of neurons that is different in each person and makes their

personality.)+*

-ersonality Theories with Biological Basis)edit*

There are many theories of personality that on the identification of a set of traits that encompass human

personality. Few however, are biologically based. This section will describe some theories of personality that

have a biological basis. 9dditionally, it will present biological support for a popular non0biologically based

personality theory, the Five Factor Model.

Eysenck's Three Factor Model of Personality)edit*

ysenck!s Three0Factor Model of -ersonality was a causal theory of personality based on activation ofreticular

formationand limbic system. The reticular formation is a region in the brainstemthat is involved in mediating

arousal and consciousness. The limbic systemis involved in mediating emotion, behavior, motivation, and long0

term memory.

+. xtraversion #& 0 degree to which people are outgoing and are interactive with people, which is

mediated by the activation of the reticular formation.

. 5euroticism #5& 0 degree of emotional instability, which is associated with the limbic system.

1. -sychoticism #-& 0 degree of aggression and interpersonal hostility.

Gray's einforcement Sensiti!ity Theory "ST#)edit*

"ray!s $%T in based on the idea that there are three brain systems that all differently respond to rewarding and

punishing stimuli.)1*
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_plasticityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_plasticityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebbian_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebbian_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_potentiationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_potentiationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_potentiationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux2-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux2-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_E._LeDouxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux2-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux2-12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticular_formationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticular_formationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticular_formationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraversionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroticismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoticismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-CorrPerkins2006-3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_plasticityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebbian_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_potentiationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux2-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_E._LeDouxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-LeDoux2-12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticular_formationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticular_formationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraversionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroticismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoticismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_basis_of_personality&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_basis_of_personality#cite_note-CorrPerkins2006-3


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+. Fight0Flight0Free?e %ystem #FFF%& 0 mediates the emotion of fear #not anxiety& and active avoidance

of dangerous situations. The personality traits associated with this system is fear0proneness and

avoidance.

. Behavioral


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The Five Factor Modelis widely used personality assessment that describes five core traits that a person

possessesC

+. Apenness 0 degree to which people enoy experiencing new stimuli

. 'onscientiousness 0 degree to which people are dutiful and goal0oriented

1. xtraversion 0 degree to which people seek stimuli outside of themselves

3. 9greeableness 0 degree to which people aim to cooperate and please others

5. 5euroticism 0 degree to which people are emotionally unstable

Esing an M$


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1. H :ump up toCa bcd'orr, -hilip :.( -erkins, 9dam M. #==7&. IThe role of theory in the psychophysiology of

personalityC From


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+3. &ump up e>oung, '. ".( /irsh, :. B.( %hane, M. %.( -apademetris, L.( $aeevan, 5.( "ray, :. $.

#=+=&.ITesting -redictions From -ersonality 5euroscienceC Brain %tructure and the Big

FiveI.Psychological Science,$#7&C @=J@@.doiC+=.++88G=;678;87+=18=+6;.

'ategoriesC

-sychology

5euroscience

/ereditarianism

-sychological theories

B


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seating areas in a campus library, and asked them to fill out a study habits 2uestionnaire. Theirpredictions turned out to be correct. They also found that extraverts took more study breaks,looking and walking around the room, going out for coffee etc.

avies and -arasuraman #+;@& found that extraverts also make more errors than introverts onlong vigilance tasks. ysenck explained this finding by suggesting that extraverts generatereactive inhibition #fatigue& more 2uickly and at greater levels than introverts when they areperforming long tasks. espite evidence that appears to support ysenckNs theory, acomprehensive review by %telmack #+;;=& showed that introverts and extraverts show nodifference in brain0wave activity when at rest or asleep.


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parents and their adopted children. Thus both adoption studies and twin studies are consistentwith a genetic influence on personality. Anly identical twins have exactly the same combinationsof genes( di?ygotic twins, ust like ordinary siblings, will each inherit a different random samplingof half of each parentNs genes.

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