Personality Dimensions Based on Arousal Theories

The idea to interpret individual differences in behavior, treated as temperamental traits, in terms of relatively stable differences in cortical excitation and inhibition was introduced by Pavlov in the first quarter of our century. Strength of excitation and inhibition, the balance between the strength of both processes, and mobility of nervous processes are the main nervous system traits on which the well-known four nervous system types, regarded as physiological correlates of the four ancient temperaments, were distinguished by Pavlov (1951–52).