Size of Certain Areas of the Brain Can Determine Personality

Years ago, a pseudoscience called phrenology was popular, especially in the early 1800's. Phrenology mapped out areas of the skull and then measured the size of the bumps in those areas.

Each bump corresponded to an area of the brain that controlled certain physical functions and personality traits. If there was a particularly large bump in a certain area, it could mean that person had criminal tendencies, for example.

Now we know that the shape or size of the bumps on a person's skull has nothing to do with whether that person is a criminal or prone to other anti-social traits. The current thinking is that environment, genetics, and chemical imbalances in the brain determine how we are in life.

But, according to recent research, phrenology wasn't very far off in one aspect. It seems that the size of the bumps on the person's brain, not the skull, can determine personality traits.

Anyone who has watched Dexter knows that a serial killer's brain is different from a normal person's brain. The area that controls emotions and feelings is much smaller in the serial killer's brain, making him have less feelings and concern for his fellow human beings.

According to LiveScience.com: "In a social situation, it's easy to tell the difference between a wallflower and the life of the party , but a new study suggests we can also spot differences in their brains."

An area called the cingulated cortex appears to be larger in people who are altruistic. That part of the brain is believed to control how we perceive other people's beliefs and position in life. According to the site, psychologists have grouped personality traits into five key areas: "extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness/intellect."

Using brain imaging, the scientists linked these personality traits to corresponding areas of the brain. Bigger areas meant that trait was more dominant. This worked in all areas of personality except one: intellect/open mindedness. I think that's because in these individuals, the whole brain is bigger. [sic]

But just because you have personality traits due to a certain area of your brain being bigger doesn't mean that you can't change your personality. Your personality is based on a lot of different factors, not just the one that is bulging out of your brain.

So, if the size of the area of the brain influences personality, then wouldn't that area of the skull be larger as well to accommodate it? Maybe phrenology deserves a closer look after all.

Source: http://www.livescience.com/8343-personality-predicted-size-brain-regions.html