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The Big Five default brain: functional evidence

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Abstract

Recent neuroimaging studies have provided evidence that different dimensions of human personality may be associated with specific structural neuroanatomic correlates. Identifying brain correlates of a situation-independent personality structure would require evidence of a stable default mode of brain functioning. In this study, we investigated the correlates of the Big Five personality dimensions (Extraversion, Neuroticism, Openness/Intellect, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness) and the default mode network (DMN). Forty-nine healthy adults completed the NEO-Five Factor. The results showed that the Extraversion (E) and Agreeableness (A) were positively correlated with activity in the midline core of the DMN, whereas Neuroticism (N), Openness (O), and Conscientiousness (C) were correlated with the parietal cortex system. Activity of the anterior cingulate cortex was positively associated with A and negatively with C. Regions of the parietal lobe were differentially associated with each personality dimension. The present study not only confirms previous functional correlates regarding the Big Five personality dimensions, but it also expands our knowledge showing the association between different personality dimensions and specific patterns of brain activation at rest.

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Notes

  1. All variables but Conscientiousness followed a normal distribution sample with p < 0.05 in both tests (K–S and S-W) – here we included only S-W test.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by PIC/IC/83290/2007, which is supported by FEDER (POFC—COMPETE) and FCT. The authors acknowledge Jaime Rocha for his discussions on neuroimaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    Adriana Sampaio, Joana Coutinho & Óscar F. Gonçalves

  2. Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

    José Miguel Soares & Nuno Sousa

  3. ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal

    José Miguel Soares & Nuno Sousa

  4. Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA

    Óscar F. Gonçalves

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  1. Adriana Sampaio
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  2. José Miguel Soares
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  3. Joana Coutinho
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  4. Nuno Sousa
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  5. Óscar F. Gonçalves
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Correspondence to Adriana Sampaio.

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A. Sampaio and J. M. Soares share equal first authorship.

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Sampaio, A., Soares, J.M., Coutinho, J. et al. The Big Five default brain: functional evidence. Brain Struct Funct 219, 1913–1922 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-013-0610-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-013-0610-y

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