Neurobiologically Determined Temperamental Dimensions as Predictors of Autonomy and Sociotropy

This study investigated relationships between neurobiologically determined temperament dimensions, as defined by Dr. Helen E. Fisher (Fisher Temperament Inventory, Fisher et al., 2015), and interpersonal orientations operationalized through autonomy and sociotropy (Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale, Beck et al., 1983). The main goal of the research was to expand our understanding of how neurobiological predispositions may manifest in distinct interpersonal and self-oriented psychological traits. We employed a cross-sectional non-experimental quantitative design. The final sample consisted of 161 full-time university students (80.7% female), with a mean age of 20.27 years (range: 18–24 years). Our findings revealed several significant relationships between the studied variables. The strongest relationship was found between the Negotiator temperament (estrogen-oxytocin) and Sociotropy, followed by Director (testosterone) and Sociotropy, Director and Autonomy, Explorer (dopamine) and Autonomy and Explorer. Director and Explorer temperaments collectively accounted for 13.3% of the variance in Autonomy, while the model incorporating Negotiator and Director (inverse) explained 27.1% of the variance in Sociotropy. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct clusters: the "Sociotropic Negotiator profile" and "Autonomous Director/Explorer profile." Additionally, women scored significantly higher in Sociotropy compared to men, with a large effect size. These findings align with previous empirical evidence on personality dimensions and their connection to Autonomy and Sociotropy. This investigation represents a preliminary attempt to explore these relationships through a neurobiological lens, specifically linking the testosterone-related dimension (Director) to Autonomy and the estrogen-oxytocin type (Negotiator) to Sociotropy.