Work

Neuroticism is associated with larger and more prolonged electrodermal responses to emotionally evocative pictures

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: Elevated neuroticism is associated with increased psychological reactivity to stressors. Research on individual differences and physiological reactivity (e.g., electrodermal activity), however, has focused on clinical samples and measures of basal activity (e.g., nonspecific skin conductance responses) or responses to nonaffective stimuli. Surprisingly, there is a dearth of work on physiological reactivity to emotional stimuli as a function of neuroticism. Thus, the authors sought to examine the relationship between neuroticism and skin conductance reactivity to emotionally evocative pictures in a nonclinical sample. Individuals higher in neuroticism exhibited both greater skin conductance reactivity to emotional (and particularly aversive) pictures as well as more extended reactivity than did emotionally stable individuals. Implications for health are discussed.

Source: Psychophysiology

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2007.00551.x

Authors: Catherine J. Norris, Jeff T. Larsen, John T. Cacioppo

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Texas Tech University, University of Chicago

Language: English

Topic: Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health