Personality Traits Are Linked To Differences In Brain Structure, Says Researchers (neurosciencenews.com)

New submitter baalcat quotes a report from Neuroscience News: Our personality may be shaped by how our brain works, but in fact the shape of our brain can itself provide surprising clues about how we behave -- and our risk of developing mental health disorders -- suggests a study published today. According to psychologists, the extraordinary variety of human personality can be broken down into the so-called 'Big Five' personality traits, namely neuroticism (how moody a person is), extraversion (how enthusiastic a person is), openness (how open-minded a person is), agreeableness (a measure of altruism), and conscientiousness (a measure of self-control). In a study published today in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, an international team of researchers from the UK, US, and Italy have analyzed a brain imaging dataset from over 500 individuals that has been made publicly available by the Human Connectome Project, a major US initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health. In particular, the researchers looked at differences in the brain cortical anatomy (the structure of the outer layer of the brain) as indexed by three measures -- the thickness, area, and amount of folding in the cortex -- and how these measures related to the Big Five personality traits. The study has been published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.

Comments

Actual study

[Anonymous Coward]

So it would be nice if the summary linked to the actual study instead of the splash page for the journal. Some of the results wouldn't hurt either.

Neuroticism was associated with thicker cortex and smaller area and folding in prefrontal–temporal regions. Extraversion was linked to thicker pre-cuneus and smaller superior temporal cortex area. Openness was linked to thinner cortex and greater area and folding in prefrontal–parietal regions. Agreeableness was correlated to thinner prefrontal cortex and smaller fusiform gyrus area. Conscientiousness was associated with thicker cortex and smaller area and folding in prefrontal regions. ... Cortical thickness and surface area/folding were inversely related each others as a function of different FFM traits (neuroticism, extraversion and consciousness vs openness), which may reflect brain maturational effects that predispose or protect against psychiatric disorders.

Re:Actual study

[rtb61]

So what this study actually does indicate is the areas of the brain that you exercise the most grow the biggest, whilst other areas shrink. It does not indicate why that change is originally trigged which is far more likely to be triggered in the cerebellum and temporal lobe, which will induce activity changes due to genetic biases (these thought preferences the cause certain parts of the brain to grow due to being repeatedly exercised). So a lack of an autonomic empathic response will cause many areas of the brain to shrink due to lack of activity whilst other areas grow, due to singular focus of the narcissist (those affected by a lack of an autonomic empathic response). Never forget diet and environment for also causing major cerebral differences and social biases ie lead poising in the majority of the US population, some worse than others, with a resulting high crime rate and a bias to anti-social politics (through use in fuels, lead water pipes and a love of firing lead at gun ranges).

Phrenology TNG

[toppromulan]

It's like peeling the phrenological onion

Extraversion

[Archtech]

I don't think that extraversion is usually defined as "how enthusiastic a person is". On the contrary, Wikipedia defines it thus:

"Extraversion is the state of primarily obtaining gratification from outside oneself.[4] Extraverts tend to enjoy human interactions and to be enthusiastic, talkative, assertive, and gregarious. Extraverts are energized and thrive off being around other people. They take pleasure in activities that involve large social gatherings, such as parties, community activities, public demonstrations, and business or political groups. They also tend to work well in groups.[5] An extraverted person is likely to enjoy time spent with people and find less reward in time spent alone. They tend to be energized when around other people, and they are more prone to boredom when they are by themselves". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

I imagine that Slashdotters, on average, have a much higher tendency to be introverted. It's not that extraverts can't be good at technical work - one could cite many examples to the contrary - just that it's easier to put a lot of time and effort into thinking if you don't have a lot of social commitments as well. But surely no one could claim that introverts necessarily lack enthusiasm. It just manifests in different ways.

Re:Extraversion

[zifn4b]

I imagine that Slashdotters, on average, have a much higher tendency to be introverted

And I believe you would be right but the difference between introverted and extroverted thinking models has nothing to do with outward interaction with people in the world. I'm a solid introvert (INTJ to be precise) and yet I have used my introverted thinking to reverse engineer many of the extroverted types thought process, so much in fact that when I interact with them, they can't tell I'm not one of them. What does that make me? I almost always get INTJ on the Myers Briggs, occasionally INTP but I can socialize much better than a lot of extroverts. I will admit, it does make me tired though. :)

Re:Extraversion

[avandesande]

The simple definition I've heard is that socializing drains introverts and energizes extroverts.

Better question

[zifn4b]

Which part of the brain is responsible for modifying the configuration of the brain. You know, the one that makes cognitive behavioral therapy work. In other words, where does meta thinking happen and what parts of the brain are responsible for that? That's an INFINITELY more interesting question.

Re:Let me guess...

[Opportunist]

Look, buddy, if you want to go to war, please do so, go ahead and get shot, nobody will hold you back.

In the meantime we'll stay here and find a way to coexist, ok? I guess that makes everyone happy.

See? We're open to your ideas. And we even support you!