Associations Between Neuroticism and Executive Function Outcomes: Response Inhibition and Sustained Attention on a Continuous Performance Test

Abstract

There are known relationships between psychopathology, personality, and executive function (EF), though the association between personality and EF, independent of psychopathology, remains understudied. The present study investigated relationships between Five Factor Model personality traits and indices of response inhibition, sustained attention, and response variability on a continuous performance test (CPT) among 50 healthy adults (male = 27, female = 23; Mage = 19.9 years, range 18–24 years) of primarily Caucasian descent (58.0%). Participants performed an open-source CPT, the Psychology Experiment Building Language Battery Test of Attentional Vigilance (TOAV), and completed self-ratings of conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism on an inventory developed from the public-domain International Personality Item Pool. After controlling for the influences of age, gender, and other personality traits, neuroticism was significantly associated with faster error reaction time and a higher frequency of multiple responses. Neuroticism was also nominally predictive of more frequent commission errors and faster correct and mean reaction time. The present findings indicate that neuroticism is associated with error-prone behavioral performance on a CPT, suggesting that a propensity to experience negative emotions may manifest as impulsivity and hyperactivity on performance-based measures of EF.

Higher levels of neuroticism in older adults predict lower executive functioning across time: the mediating role of perceived stress

“…The first aim of this study was to determine the existence of a link between neuroticism and EF in older adults. Although certain of the previous studies reported negative cross-sectional links between neuroticism and EF in younger adults (Crow, 2019;Murdock et al, 2013;Purić and Pavlović, 2012;Schretlen et al, 2010), other cross-sectional studies reported inconsistent results in older adults (Bell et al, 2020;Booth et al, 2006;Boyle et al, 2010;Chapman et al, 2017;Denburg et al, 2009;Hill et al, 2015;Kim et al, 2021;Turunen et al, 2020;Williams et al, 2010). Importantly, the only longitudinal study so far did not find a longitudinal link between neuroticism and EF among older adults when assessed across a relatively short period of time (i.e., two years, Waggel et al, 2015).…”

“…According to the Big Five Model, neuroticism is characterized by irrationality of thoughts, low ability to manage impulsions and stress, emotional instability, and consequently, a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders (Costa and McCrae, 1992). However, while the negative relationship between neuroticism and EF seems well established in younger adults (Crow, 2019;Murdock et al, 2013;Purić and Pavlović, 2012;Schretlen et al, 2010), research on older adults is still inconsistent. Indeed, certain studies did not find a significant link between neuroticism and EF (Boyle et al, 2010;Hill et al, 2015;Turunen et al, 2020;Waggel et al, 2015), whereas others found that neuroticism was negatively associated with EF in older adults (Bell et al, 2020;Booth et al, 2006;Chapman et al, 2017;Denburg et al, 2009;Kim et al, 2021;Williams et al, 2010).…”

Cognitive and Executive Functions of Young Men regarding Sport Activity and Personality Traits

“…A higher frequency of multiple responses in action also appears. A high level of neuroticism seems to be associated with making mistakes [24]. However, there seems to be much more behind the relationship between neuroticism and cognitive performance.…”

“…Cognitive and executive functions appear to be associated with some personality traits. Nevertheless, the association between personality and cognitive and executive functions remains understudied [24].…”

The Situated Assessment Method (SAM²): Establishing Individual Differences in Habitual Behavior

“…In contrast, the positive relation between reward and habitualness decreased as neuroticism increased (Figure 15). One speculative possibility is that the strong emotional reactions associated with neuroticism deplete the regulatory resources available for monitoring reward and adapting behavior as reward changes (124). As a consequence, behavior becomes increasingly ballistic as poorly monitored behaviors become rigidly automated in response to situational cues.…”