Temperament and arousal systems: A new synthesis of differential psychology and functional neurochemistry

Abstract

This paper critically reviews the unidimensional construct of General Arousal as utilised by models of temperament in differential psychology for example, to underlie 'Extraversion'. Evidence suggests that specialization within monoamine neurotransmitter systems contrasts with the attribution of a "general arousal" of the Ascending Reticular Activating System. Experimental findings show specialized roles of noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin systems in hypothetically mediating three complementary forms of arousal that are similar to three functional blocks described in classical models of behaviour within kinesiology, clinical neuropsychology, psychophysiology and temperament research. In spite of functional diversity of monoamine receptors, we suggest that their functionality can be classified using three universal aspects of actions related to expansion, to selection-integration and to maintenance of chosen behavioural alternatives. Monoamine systems also differentially regulate analytic vs. routine aspects of activities at cortical and striatal neural levels. A convergence between main temperament models in terms of traits related to described functional aspects of behavioural arousal also supports the idea of differentiation between these aspects analysed here in a functional perspective.

A Study of the Coupling of FET Temperament Traits with Major Depression

“…The focus on temperament in the context of the analysis of the regulatory systems underlying mental illness is based the premise of a common etiology underlying temperament and mental disorders (i.e., neurochemical systems of behavioral regulation). In fact, multiple temperament traits (such as impulsivity, sensation seeking, neuroticism, endurance, plasticity, sociability, or extraversion) have been linked to brain neurotransmitters and hormonal systems, i.e., the very same systems implicated in mental disorders (Gray, 1982; Cloninger, 1986; Heath et al, 1994; Kagan, 1994; Depue and Morrone-Strupinsky, 2005; Rusalov and Trofimova, 2007; Zentner and Shiner, 2012; Trofimova, 2016a; Trofimova and Robbins, 2016). Thus temperament and mental illnesses appear to represent varying degrees along the same continuum of behavioral regulation (Clark et al, 1994; Heath et al, 1994; Mehrabian, 1995; Ball et al, 1999; Weinstock and Whisman, 2006; Brown, 2007; Weiss et al, 2009; Karam et al, 2010; Trofimova and Sulis, 2010).…”

“…The FET framework organizes temperament traits and symptoms of mental illness in a 3 × 4 matrix categorized by the functional aspects of human behavior (Trofimova, 2016, Trofimova, submitted; Trofimova and Robbins, 2016). The precursor of the FET model, the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire (STQ), was developed by Rusalov within an experimental tradition for studying properties of nervous systems.…”

A red queen model of personality

“…It may be added to this point that the concept of general arousal is of course a simplification: there may be a number of arousal processes associated with different neurotransmitters or functional circuitries in the nervous system, and these may vary between individuals in ways related to personality (Trofimova & Robbins, 2016). There are therefore a number of ways in which genetic variation could contribute to disruptive variations in the selective environment in which memes must adapt.…”

Phenomena of Functional Differentiation and Fractal Functionality

“…Thus, among amino acids such FD-3 functions can be seen in three main groups: Glu (O i−n ), ACh [36,37].…”

“…Therefore, these traits are involved in the ZPD of the upper part of the diagonal emergence in building performance of single individual. In this sense, the [36,37]. In summary, this article briefly described principles of the theory of diagonal evolution (Dievolution) that uses at least three operators that could be linked to the functionality of elements composing complex systems.…”