Extraversion, neuroticism, and susceptibility to positive and negative affect: A test of two theoretical models

Abstract

Two different theoretical models have been used to explain relationships between the personality dimensions of extraversion and neuroticism and the affect dimensions of positive and negative mood. Eysenck's model predicts that extraversion should relate to positive affect, but not negative affect, and that neuroticism should relate to negative affect, but not positive affect. The model proposed by Gray and Newman asserts that there should be an interaction between extraversion and neuroticism in predicting positive and negative affect, such that the relationship between neuroticism and affect depends on one's position on the extraversion dimension. The purpose of the present study is to test these two theoretical models (Eysenck or Gray/Newman) in relation to positive and negative affect susceptibility. Results best fit predictions derived from Eysenck's model. Extraversion was positively related to positive affect following a pleasant mood induction, and neuroticism was positively related to negative affect following a negative mood induction. There was no evidence for an extraversion × neuroticism interaction in predicting emotional reactions, as would be expected from the Gray/Newman model.