Abstract

Some literature suggests that individual temperament traits can modulate the startle reflex. There is evidence supporting Cloninger’s concept of Harm Avoidance as being predictive of individual differences in reactivity to aversive stimuli. (Corr, 1997). Since this finding, a new version Cloninger’s measure includes character subscales that like temperament, have been proposed to modify the meaning of experiences, changing emotional reactions. High scorers on the character variables are less susceptible to excessive anxiety and tend to have neurochemical profiles that are not consistent with anxiety disorders (Gillespie, 2003; Tse & Bond, 2001; Peirson et al., 1999). It was thus hypothesized that individuals scoring low on character scales would have higher startle magnitude to negative pictures. Method: 73 undergraduate students underwent a standard emotion modulated startle reflex paradigm (Lang, 1994) and completed the TCI. Results: A significant linear trend was found for the within subjects factor ‘valence’ F(1,82) = 4.2, p < .05, η2 = .049 indicating that blink magnitude increased from positive to negative picture condition. A manipulation check found that in the negative condition, pictures were rated similarly negative, more arousing (t = 4.60; p t = 5.77; p < .05) than the norm sample. The finding in the literature that suggests high levels of Harm Avoidance predicts an increase in the startle response to negative pictures was not supported. Implications for the TCI as being a better measure of personality in clinical populations is an issue for further research, as well as the effects of perceived control on self-reported Harm Avoidance.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Paul Haerich

Second Advisor

Leslie Martin

Third Advisor

Matt Riggs

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

2006

Date (Title Page)

9-2006

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Startle Reaction; Reflex -- psychology; Psychophysiology; Temperament -- physiology; Personality -- psychology; Character.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

x; 82

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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