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Personality Theories-II

Final Assessment- Research Paper Summary

Group # 7

Members:

1. Iqra Ali Mirza

2. Fajar Aabid Niazi

3. Nabiha Naveed

4. Ayesha Faisal

5. Manal Shabbir

Instructor: Sir Ali Kazimi

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1. Introduction

Eysenck’s theory of introversion-extroversion and neuroticism-stability is based on cortical

arousal, measured through an EEG (Eysenck 1967, 1990), where extraverts have lower cortical

arousals. Gale (1983) confirmed these arousal differences and claimed the EEG measures

interactions of trait and state effects. Hagemann et al. (1999) found negative affect to

significantly activate the left part of the temporal cortex and established a correlation between

positive affect scores and extraversion.

Chances of inter-hemisphere inhibition of emotion suggest that increased negative affect

following left-sided damage (Gainottii,1969) may be due to a loss of left hemisphere inhibitory

control over right hemisphere expression of negative affect. The right hemisphere is considered

superior for emotional recognition.

The threshold for limbic system activation is lower in neurotics (Eysenck, 1967). It is likelier

for neurotics to experience and be more influenced by negative Affect (Eysenck & Eysenck,

1985, Rusting & Larsen, 1997).

The purpose of this study is to test mood induction during EEG measurements. The task was

selected through multiple EEG studies based on the specialization of hemispheres, brain damage,

and activity of specific brain sections stimulated by emotions.

2. Method

2.1 Participants

30 undergraduate female participants, aged 18-36, completed the Eysenck Personality

Inventory at the end of the experiment.

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2.2 Materials

Six male and six female participants aged 20-30 were shown pictures depicting various

emotional expressions and were then asked to portray either sad or happy expressions. 96

photographs were utilized and then rated by five judges for positive or negative affect.

Photographs were scanned and presented on a computer for 24s, with an 8s rest, during which

participants rated the previous photograph.

2.3 The EEG

The EEG electrodes were placed on homologous frontal, temporal, and occipital sites

with linked mastoids as ground and eye movement recording for artefact correction. Readings

were derived using the 10-20 international system. Resistance for inter-electrode was always

kept below 5 kohms. Fast Fourier analysis was used to yield integrated voltage outputs. The EEG

values were collapsed for data analysis to produce two scores for each photograph.

2.4 Procedure

The consent form included instructions for the experiment. Participants were asked to

view the screen and feel the expressions of the face shown. They were asked to identify with the

person on screen by recalling particular memories, similar to the expression shown. Then, they

were asked to rate their feelings. A rating of seven indicated extreme happiness, and one

indicated extreme unhappiness.

2.5 Data Analysis

For Extraversion-Introversion and Neuroticism-Stability, median splits were used,

leaving 28 participants in the analyses for Neuroticism-Stability and 30 for Extraversion-

Introversion. Pearson product-moment scores were calculated for the standard deviation of
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participants and the Extraversion-Introversion and Neuroticism-Stability scores. Four-way

ANOVA were calculated for the first 8-s and second 8-s for the EEG ratings. A three-way

ANOVA for hemisphere values was also computed. Positive and negative affect conditions were

analyzed separately.

3. Results

3.1 Ratings of the stimulus faces

Participants easily differentiated between positive and negative affect in stimulus faces. E

scores did not influence the ratings but N scores positively co-varied with the standard deviation

of the ratings. Additionally, participants with high N scores rated negative affect female faces

more negatively vis-à-vis negative affect male faces.

3.2 Main effects and correlations for the EEG

Extraversion-Introversion was a critical main effect in all electrode placements.

Extraverts exhibited higher amplitude voltages ( twice as large) than introverts, thereby

confirming that extraverts experience less cortical arousal.

No main effect was observed for Neuroticism-Stability. However, a higher N score correlated

with a lower ratio value between the two hemispheres (higher right hemisphere values)

3.2.1 Gender of the face

For Extraversion-Introversion and Neuroticism-Stability during the first 8s span, EEG in

the temporal region was sensitive towards the gender of stimulus face when the hemispheral ratio

was expressed. More considerable hemisphere differences were demonstrated by females when

viewing male faces.

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3.2.2 Hemisphere

In 16 ANOVAs, the left hemisphere had increased activation vis-a-vis the right

hemisphere. Fifteen of these were within the high alpha, although the temporal pattern differed.

Significant effects on frontal leads were recorded in EP1 only. The effects in the lower alpha

were negligible for temporal leads in both periods. A small occipital theta effect was also

observed. This suggests that the condition induced participants to think of similar past events.

3.2.3 Affect

Although there were no main absolute quality effects for affect, the frontal ratio analyses

yielded significant effects for both the E-analyses and the N-analyses. The distinction between

the hemispheres was more prominent during negative affect due to left hemisphere depression.

With neuroticism, this was due to comparative enhancement of the right hemisphere.

3.3 EEG interaction effects

Researchers used a cutoff of P<0.025 for significant interactions. Greater activation of right

hemispheres when extraverts experience negative affect was observed. Positive affect correlated

with greater EEG activation in the right hemisphere for stable participants. Female participants

distinguished between positive/negative affects of female faces in the right hemisphere, with

negative affect correlating with greater activation. Stable participants differentiated between

male and female positive affects in the right hemisphere only and more so for female faces.

4. Discussion

The main effects for E at lower frequencies in frontal lobes show extraverts are less cortically

aroused, a finding consistent with Eysenck’s idea. People with a high N score have a higher EEG
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amplitude rating. This is per Gale’s (1983) results but for N as the main effect. To further

explore extraversion-neuroticism interactions, large initial samples could prove helpful. The

obtained results for the left hemisphere operating for negative affect refute Davidson’s (1992)

notion that the left hemisphere specializes in positive affect.

The right hemisphere specializes in the differentiation of emotions, especially for the positive

affect in male and female faces. Effects of negative and positive Affect are displayed frontally;

negative affect yields a higher activation in the left hemisphere. Pictures of females were

empathized with more, inducing greater right hemisphere activation for negative affect.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, extraversion is correlated with a decline in EEG activation, neuroticism (less

activated right hemisphere), and negative affect (more activated left hemisphere) both are

associated with an increase in left/right ratio. The right hemisphere distinguishes between

positive and negative affect. However, male faces instigate higher hemisphere differences. These

findings are impervious to significant hemisphere distinctions in amplitude, the left hemisphere

being most activated, setting the groundwork for verbal reaction.

Word count: 1053

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References

Davidson, R. J. (1992). Anterior brain asymmetry and the nature of emotion. Brain and

Cognition, 20, 125±151

Eysenck, H. J. (1967). The biological basis of personality. Springfield, Ill: Thomas.

Eysenck, H. J. (1990). Biological dimensions of personality. In L. A. Pervin, Handbook of

personality: Theory and research (pp. 244±276). New York: Guilford.

Eysenck, H. J., & Eysenck, M. W. (1985). Personality and individual differences: A natural

science approach. New York: Plenum Press.

Gainottii, G. (1969). Reactions “catastrophiques” et manifestations d'indifference au cours des

atteintes cerebrales. Neuropsychologia, 7, 175±204.

Gale, A. (1983). Electroencephalographic studies of extraversion±introversion: A case study in

the psychophysiology of individual differences. Personality and Individual Differences,

4, 371±380.

Hagemann et. al (1999). EEG asymmetry, dispositional mood and personality. Personality and

Individual Differences, 27, 541±568

Rusting, C. L., & Larsen, R. J. (1997). Extraversion, neuroticism and susceptibility to positive

and negative affect: A test of two theoretical models. Personality and Individual

Differences, 22, 607±612.

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