Eyeblinks, EP Augmenting / Reducing and Personality

Lee, S H; Haier, Richard J

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Eyeblinking varied depending on individual cognitive abilities or personality traits thought to related to brain mechanisms of sensory modulation. This study explored whether personality traits are related to the rate of eye blinks and how eyeblink and evoked potential augumenting-reducing(EPAR) interact.
METHODS
Forty four students were studied with EPAR topography to explore how eyeblinks, personality and EPAR interact. The Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale(SSS) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ) were used as personality measured by a stimulus response program during EP study.
RESULTS
Rate of blink increased as intensity of light increased. The General (GEN), Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS), Experience Seeking(ES) and Disinhibitions(DS) subscales in SSS and Extraversion-Introversion(E) subscale in EPQ showed significant negative correlations with number of eyeblinks in the hightest intensity of light, whereas Neuroticism(N) subscales in EPQ showed a positive correlation. Correlation between number of eyeblinks with the brightest light and EPAR slope varied topographically. The strongest positive correlation was noted in right posterior temporal area.
CONCLUSION
High sensation seekers blinked significantly fewer times than lower sensation seeker did. Higher personality correlations with eyeblink than with EP may imply that the eyeblink works as a primary filter since it is more directly related to cetral mechanisms of sensory modulation than EP. The right posterior temporal area may play an important role in modulation of visual stimuli.