Individual differences and personality correlates of navigational performance in the virtual route learning task

Individuals learn new skills at different rates. Given the involvement of corticostriatal pathways in some types of learning, variations in dopaminergic transmission may contribute to these individual differences. Genetic polymorphisms of the catechol- O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) genes partially determine cortical and striatal dopamine availability, respectively. Individuals who are homozygous for the COMT methionine ( met) allele show reduced cortical COMT enzymatic activity, resulting in increased dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex as opposed to individuals who are carriers of the valine ( val) allele. DRD2 G-allele homozygotes benefit from a higher striatal dopamine level compared with T-allele carriers. We hypothesized that individuals who are homozygous for COMT met and DRD2 G alleles would show higher rates of motor learning. Seventy-two young healthy females (20 ± 1.9 yr) performed a sensorimotor adaptation task and a motor sequence learning task. A nonparametric mixed model ANOVA revealed that the COMT val-val group demonstrated poorer performance in the sequence learning task compared with the met-met group and showed a learning deficit in the visuomotor adaptation task compared with both met-met and val-met groups. The DRD2 TT group showed poorer performance in the sequence learning task compared with the GT group, but there was no difference between DRD2 genotype groups in adaptation rate. Although these results did not entirely come out as one might predict based on the known contribution of corticostriatal pathways to motor sequence learning, they support the role of genetic polymorphisms of COMT val158met (rs4680) and DRD2 G>T (rs 1076560) in explaining individual differences in motor performance and motor learning, dependent on task type.

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A Measure of Individual Differences in Sex Stereotyping and Sex Discrimination: The “Macho” Scale

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1977.41.2.411 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 411-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Wayne J. Villemez ◽

John C. Touhey

Keyword(s):

Social Psychology ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Social Desirability ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Sex Role ◽

Sex Discrimination ◽

Role Orientation ◽

Sex Role Orientation ◽

Sex Role Stereotyping ◽

Personality Correlates

A personality measure of individual differences in sex-role stereotyping and sex discrimination was developed. The “Macho” scale fulfills satisfactory psychometric criteria of internal consistency and reliability, and the 28 items are controlled for social desirability. Personality correlates of macho include sex-role orientation among males, and authoritarianism, and the scale discriminates between criterion groups selected from different ethnic and educational subcultures. Research applications of the scale to experimental and correlational studies in personality, social psychology, and sociology are proposed.

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Discrete-Trial Motor Learning: Influence of Practice on Individual Differences and Intra-Individual Variability

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1969.28.3.827 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 827-831 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Albert V. Carron

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Motor Learning ◽

Learning Task ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Distributed Practice ◽

Discrete Trial ◽

College Males ◽

Differential Effects

300 college males were tested on a discrete-trial motor-learning task (the peg turn) to examine the effects of practice under massing and distribution of practice upon individual differences and intra-individual variability. Massed and distributed practice did not have differential effects on these sources of variability. With practice, individual differences decreased early and then remained unchanged while intra-individual variability was substantially unchanged.

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Individual differences and theory in a motor learning task.

The Psychological Monographs ◽

10.1037/h0093688 ◽

1955 ◽

Vol 69 (6) ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

David Zeaman ◽

Herbert Kaufman

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Motor Learning ◽

Learning Task

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Individual Differences in Route-Learning Strategy and Associated Working Memory Resources

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720809338187 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 368-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Carryl L. Baldwin ◽

Ian Reagan

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Learning Strategy ◽

Route Learning ◽

Memory Resources

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PERSONALITY CORRELATES OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN ELECTRODERMAL LABILITY

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.1995.23.1.93 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 93-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Maribel H. Cruz ◽

Randy J. Larsen

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Electrodermal Activity ◽

Broad Band ◽

Cognitive Correlates ◽

Personality Correlates ◽

Nervous System Activity ◽

Skin Conductance Responses ◽

Fluctuation Rate ◽

Specific Emotion ◽

The Subject

This study examined relationships between individual differences in the spontaneous fluctuation rate of electrodermal activity (EDA lability) and a battery of personality measures. In contrast to previous work, which emphasizes cognitive correlates of EDA lability, in this study a broad-band personality inventory and specific emotion-relevant personality dispositions were administered. A sample of 62 male and female undergraduates completed a battery of personality questionnaires and a laboratory session where spontaneous, nonspecific skin conductance responses were recorded while the subject was at rest in a sound attenuated and dimly lit room. The strongest personality correlate of resting EDA lability, consistent across sexes, was neuroticism (N), with a high N Ss exhibiting more spontaneous sympathetic nervous system activity than low N Ss. Beyond Neuroticism, other results reveal a different pattern of personality correlates of EDA lability in men and women. Discussion focuses on possible sources for this sex difference.

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