Submission Date

4-23-2015

Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Department

Neuroscience

Adviser

Joel Bish

Committee Member

Joel Bish

Committee Member

Jennifer Stevenson

Committee Member

Peter Small

Department Chair

Joel Bish

Project Description

This study examined a potential relationship between extraversion-introversion and neuro-cortical activity measured through EEG, as well as the possibility that one’s own implicit personality could be manipulated on a subconscious level. Twenty-three undergraduate participants completed Campbell’s Self-Concept Clarity Scale and the Implicit Association Test before undergoing resting-state EEG for twenty minutes, alternating eyes opened/closed every two minutes. Participants with low self-concept clarity were given false personality feedback, while high-self-concept clarity participants were true feedback controls. Participants then completed a Go/No-Go distractor task before undergoing another round each of resting-state EEG and the Implicit Association Test, and finally completing the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire – Revised. Results indicated statistically-insignificant trends in behavioral data, which hinted at the possibility that extraverts could be subconsciously made to act introverted, and vice-versa. Electrical data showed that extraverts have significantly higher resting-state beta frequency (12-32 Hz) activity than introverts, with insignificant differences in alpha (8-12 Hz) and theta (4-8Hz) ranges. Finally, manipulated participants experienced significant beta-level changes towards their target conditions; extraverts made introverted would experience a significant decrease in beta activity, and vice-versa. These results not only demonstrate that implicit personality can be subconsciously manipulated, but also posit a direct link between cortical activity and personality. This study also shows that the implantation of false memories and/or beliefs may physiologically alter the brain in the short-term.

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