Big Five and RST

Where does RST “fit” with the Big Five?

  • The Big Five was largely developed in the USA.

    • Advantages: Very well-developed measures.
    • Disadvantages: Primarily descriptive, only recently exploring the "causal" basis.

  • RST was largely developed in the UK.

    • Tends to be used mostly outside the USA.
    • Advantages: Looks to explain causal basis.
    • Disadvantages: Still developing good measures, but making strides.
    • There's some "coming together" of late between the Big Five and RST.

    The Big Five and the Brain

  • Recent research led by Colin DeYoung suggests:

    • Stability is associated with serotonin.
    • Plasticity is associated with dopamine.

    Metatrait

  • Stability:

    • Big Five Traits:
    • Emotional Stability (inverse of Neuroticism)
    • Agreeableness
    • Conscientiousness
    • Neurotransmitter: Serotonin
    • Hormones: Cortisol & Norepinephrine, Endorphins
    • Brain Structures:
    • Right frontal lobe (withdrawal)
    • Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
    • Middle frontal gyrus

  • Plasticity:

    • Big Five Traits:
    • Extraversion
    • Openness
    • Neurotransmitter: Dopamine
    • Brain Structures:
    • Medial orbito-frontal cortex
    • Left prefrontal cortex
    • Left frontal lobe (anger)

  • Brain structures associated with personality:

    • Right frontal lobe (withdrawal)
    • Amygdala
    • Insula
    • Anterior cingulate
    • Posterior cingulate cortex
    • Striatum
    • Superior temporal sulcus
    • Nucleus accumbens
    • Posterior medial prefrontal cortex

    Associations Found by Corr & Cooper (2016)

  • Neuroticism:

    • Withdrawal: BIS (.71)
    • Volatility: FFFS (.35)

  • Extraversion:

    • Reward Pursuit: BAS
    • Pleasure System: BAS (RI.23)

  • Openness to Experience:

    • Openness: BAS (RI.42; RR.36; Imp .45)
    • Intellect: BAS

    Corr et al. (2013) findings

  • Neuroticism:

    • Withdrawal: BIS
    • Volatility: FFFS

  • Extraversion:

    • Assertiveness: BAS (reward pursuit)
    • Enthusiasm: BAS (Pleasure system)

  • Openness to Experience: BAS

  • Conscientiousness: BAS (low)

    • Impulsiveness; (low) trait BIS; (high) state BIS

  • Agreeableness: BAS?

    Evaluating Biological Perspectives

  • Pros:

    • New, intriguing approaches.
    • Focus on causal mechanisms rather than just descriptors.

  • Cons:

    • No comprehensive biological theory.
    • Still determining specific neural underpinnings.

    Personality & Biology: Causes & Effects

  • Neurological research has guided the development of personality theory & assessment.

  • Personality research has helped to highlight brain functions.

  • Brains are always situated within bodies within environments.

  • Personality is the sum of the expression of that interaction.

    Summary

  • The Big Five and RST were developed from different views of how to understand consistency in people's behavior.

  • Both approaches have their strengths and limitations.

  • Recently, Big Five researchers have looked to determine the biological basis of their traits.

  • Corr, DeYoung, & McNaughton (2013) proposed links between the Big Five trait aspects and RST dimensions.

  • Remember that our brains are situated within our bodies within environments.

  • Personality is the sum of the expression of that interaction.