Abstract
Recent factor analytic studies have confirmed Eysenck’s broad P dimension of personality, as well as the long established supertraits of extraversion and neuroticism. The component narrower traits of P-ImpUSS are: autonomy, sensation seeking, impulsivity, aggression, and lack of socialization and responsibility. Biological markers related to at least one of these component traits include: augmenting of the cortical evoked potential (EP) , high levels of gonadal hormones, and low levels of the enzymes monoamine oxidase (MAO) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA, and norepinephrine (NE) and cortisol in the cerebrospinal fluid. The personality traits show evidence of moderate heritability, while some of the biological markers like MAO and DBH show very high genetic determination. Cortical arousal and conditionability may be low in persons high on impulsivity. Both human and animal studies suggest that low levels of serotonin and an EP augmenting pattern are related to the inability to restrain approach behavior in a conflict situation, deficiency in passive-avoidance learning, and inability to delay gratification. The psychopath (antisocial personality) is seen as the extreme case on this psychobiological dimension of personality.
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