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Original Articles and Reviews

The Conceptual Nervous System and Personality

From Pavlov to Neural Networks

Published Online:September 01, 2006https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040.2.2.139

Abstract

In this paper the conceptual nervous system approach to the study of personality is traced back to the ideas of Pavlov. The links between his ideas and two strands of modern European personality theory (Eysenck's, 1967 , arousal theory of extraversion; Gray's, 1970 , reinforcement sensitivity theory) are emphasized. Recent data concerning reinforcement sensitivity theory have revealed a diversity of relationships between personality trait measures and the behavioral responses to the signals of reinforcement present. In view of these data, a reappraisal of the basics of reinforcement sensitivity theory are then presented, using neural network techniques to explore the conceptual nervous system features fundamental to reinforcement sensitivity theory. Simulations using these techniques are also presented which provide possible explanations for the variations in the experimental data, thereby suggesting that reinforcement sensitivity theory should be revised, rather than abandoned. One revision proposes that the fundamental brain systems involved may produce their behavioral effects solely via the influences of their outputs on arousal levels, with arousal linked to aspects of performance in a manner resembling Pavlovian transmarginal inhibition.

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