engleski

Electrophysiological differences in Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic and Melancholic

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between latencies and amplitudes of evoked potentials (N1, P2, N2, P3 & Sw) and four temperament types defined on the basis of Eysenck's E and N dimensions: phlegmatic (E-N-), choleric (E+N+), melancholic (E-N+) and sanguine (E+N-). It was expected that choleric would be characterized by least inhibition, the lower arousability or the lowest EP-amplitudes, melancholic by most inhibition, the greater arousability or the highest EP-amplitudes, and sanguine and phlegmatic by an intermediate degree of inhibition. Furthermore, phlegmatic and melancholic types should have the longer EP-latencies, due to lower degree of extraversion. A sample consisted of N=54 female psychology students, within the age range 19-23 years, all right-handers. Evoked potentials were measured by using the standard visual oddball paradigm in two trials. All participants have completed EPQ/R and afterwards were divided in the four groups according to the median on Extraversion and Neuroticism subscales. The analysis of EP amplitudes mostly showed the opposite pattern than expected: the lowest amplitudes were found in phlegmatic and the highest in choleric, with the sanguine and melancholic in between. The longest N2-latencies were determined in phlegmatic, and the longest P2- and Sw-latencies in melancholic, what was expected considering their low position on the E dimension. The electrophysiological differences among the four temperament types were clearly demonstrated, but the direction of their relationship has been discussed according to the mediate role of the attention and habituation effect variables.

four Eysenck's temperament types; evoked potentials; students

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