Personality Psychology
“Systems Net Theory”
Josep M. Lluís-Font
Recent publications:
Lluís-Font, J.M. (2002), Personalidad: Esbozo de una teoría integradora. Psicothema, 4 (14), págs 693-701
Lluís-Font, J.M. (2003), Teoría de la Red de Sistemas. Barcelona, Actas del Congreso Nacional de la SEIDI
Lluís-Font, J.M. (2004), Mente y Personalidad: Un nuevo modelo integrador. Madrid: Biblioteca Nueva
Lluís-Font, J.M. (2005), Personality: Systems Net Theory. Individual Differences Research, 3,(4), 213-238
Lluís-Font, J.M. (2006), Mind and Personality: Systems Net Theory (submitting)
Systems Net Theory
(SNT)
• Teoría de la Personalidad y de las Inteligencias
Múltiples
. Theory
of Personality and Multiple Intelligences
theory
•. Biological
Teoría biológica
theory
•. Evolutionary
Teoría evolucionista
.• Integrative
theory de teorías y paradigmas
Teoría integradora
.• Theory
formulated en
in 25
Teoría formulada
25statements
enunciados
(Lluís-Font, 2004)
Hierarchic trait structure in classical models
Psychological nomenclature
EXTRAVERSION
Sociability
High selfesteem
Surgency
Reward
sensitivity
Activity
Positive
emotions
Hierarchic trait structure in classical models
Psychological and biological nomenclature
EXTRAVERSION
(Approach system)
Sociability
Surgency
Activity
(Social system)
(Behavioral system)
(Energetic system)
High selfesteem
Reward
sensitivity
Positive
emotions
(Self-concept system)
(Instinctive system)
(Emotional system)
Non-hierarchic trait structure in Systems Net Theory
Types of traits: General dimensions, specific dimensions and primary traits
y
x Specific systems
and dimensions
(vertical)
General and
functional systems
and dimensions
(horizontal)
1
2
A
3
4
6
Nature
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
Emotional
system
Emotionality
Rapid action
system
H
Hostility
Approach
system
Extraversion
E
Positive emotions
E6 (primary trait)
Self-regulation
system
C
Self-control
Cognitive
integration
system
Intellect
Function
I
8
9
10
11
12
13
Personality structure in Systems Net Theory: Organizing axes
y
x
Specific systems
and dimensions
(vertical)
Neurophy
siological
system
Somatic systems
Affective systems
Conative systems
Specific cognitive systems
Neurophy
siological
Morpho
logical
Physio
logical
Pycho
motor
Instinc
tive
Emotio
nal
Social
Volitive
Beha
vioral
Ethical
Selfpercep
tive
Strate
gic
Specia
lized
cogniti
ve
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
A
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
A8
A9
A10
A11
A12
A13
H
H1
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
H7
H8
H9
H10
H11
H12
H13
E
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
E6
E7
E8
E9
E10
E11
E12
E13
Self-regulation and
execution system
Self-control
C
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
C8
C9
C10
C11
C12
C13
I1
I2
I3
I4
I5
I6
I7
I8
I9
I10
I11
I12
I13
General and
functional systems
and dimensions
(horizontal)
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
TEMPERAMENT
Rapid action
system
Hostility
Approach
system
Extraversion
CHARACTER
INTELLECT
Cognitive
integration system
Intellect
I
Structural matrix of systems and factors in Systems Net Theory
y
x
Specific systems
and dimensions
(vertical)
Neurophy
siological
system
Somatic systems
Affective systems
Conative systems
Specific cognitive systems
Neurophy
siological
Morpho
logical
Physio
logical
Pycho
motor
Instinc
tive
Emotio
nal
Social
Volitive
Beha
vioral
Ethical
Selfpercep
tive
Strate
gic
Specia
lized
cogniti
ve
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Amygdala
Cortisol
Ecto
morphy
Rapid
metabo
lism
Psycho
motor
inhibi
tion
Avoidan
ce
Fligth
Negati
ve
emo
tions
Shy
ness
Abulia
Overcontrol
led
BIS
Super
ego
Obsessi
ve
Low
selfesteem
Analyti
cal style
Fluid
intelli
gence
Gf
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
A8
A9
A10
A11
A12
A13
Amygdala
Testostero
ne
MAO (-)
Meso
morphy
Frigth
Hyper
kinesis
Aggressi
veness
Emotio
nal
though
ness
Autho
ritaria
nism
Hiper
activity
Impulsi
veness
Ego
Antisocial
Narci
sism
Intuition
Spatial
intelli
gence
Gv
H1
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
H7
H8
H9
H10
H11
H12
H13
Amygdala
Dopamine
Endo
morphy
Slow
metabo
lism
Expansive
mobility
Nutrition
Sex
Positive
emo
tions
Sociabili
ty
Activity
Surgen
cy
Id
Bohe
mian
High
selfesteem
Holistic
style
Crystallized
intel.
Gc
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
E6
E7
E8
E9
E10
E11
E12
E13
Self-regulation and
execution system
Self-control
C
Neurophi
siological
control
Morphol
ogical
control
Phisiolo
gical
control
Psychomotor
control
Control
of
Social
control
Volitive
control
Beha
vioral
control
Moral
control
Control
of selfimage
Cognitive
strate
gies
control
Cognitive
control
impulses
Emotio
nal
control
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
C8
C9
C10
C11
C12
C13
Cognitive
integration system
Intellect
Neurophy
siological
intelligence
Perceptive
Functional
corporal
corporal
Instincti
ve
intelli
gence
Emotio
nal
intelli
gence
Social
intelli
gence
Executi
ve
intellige
nce
Adaptive
Strategic
intelli
gence
Moral
intelli
gence
Self-
intelli
gence
Kines
thetic
intelli
gence
perceptive
intelli
gence
General
intelli
gence
“g”
I1
I2
I3
I4
I5
I6
I7
I8
I9
I10
I11
I12
I13
General and
functional systems
and dimensions
(horizontal)
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
A
TEMPERAMENT
Rapid action
system
Hostility
H
Approach
system
Extraversion
E
CHARACTER
INTELLECT
I
intelli
gence
intelli
gence
Personality components in Systems Net Theory
.
general,
functional,
systems
• Five
Cinco
sistemas
generales,horizontal
funcionales,
horizontales
.
general
dimensions
originated
by thepor
reactivity
of thesede
• Five
Cinco
dimensiones
generales
originadas
la reactividad
systems
esos sistemas
.• Thirteen
specific, structural, pentafactorial systems
Trece sistemas específicos, estructurales, pentafactoriales
. Thirteen specific dimensions originated by the reactivity of
• these
Trecesystems
dimensiones específicas originadas por la reactividad de
esos sistemas
. Sixty five primary traits originated by the interaction of a
• general
Sesenta system
y cincoand
rasgos
primarios
an specific
oneoriginados por la activación
simultánea de un sistema general y otro específico
Illustration of an horizontal and a vertical system
y
x
Specific systems
and dimensions
(vertical)
General and
functional systems
and dimensions
(horizontal)
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
Somatic systems
Affective systems
Conative systems
Specific cognitive systems
Neurophy
siological
Morpho
logical
Physio
logical
Pycho
motor
Instinc
tive
Emotio
nal
Social
Volitive
Beha
vioral
Ethical
Selfpercep
tive
Strate
gic
Specia
lized
cogniti
ve
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Negati
ve
emo
tions
A
TEMPERAMENT
Rapid action
system
Hostility
H
Approach
system
Extraversion
Neurophy
siological
system
A6
Amygdala
Testostero
ne
MAO (-)
Meso
morphy
Frigth
Hyper
kinesis
Aggressi
veness
Emotio
nal
though
ness
Autho
ritaria
nism
Hiper
activity
Impulsi
veness
Ego
Antisocial
Narci
sism
Intuition
Spatial
intelli
gence
Gv
H1
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
H7
H8
H9
H10
H11
H12
H13
Positive
emo
tions
E
E6
CHARACTER
INTELLECT
Self-regulation and
execution system
Self-control
C
Emotio
nal
control
Cognitive
integration system
Intellect
Emotio
nal
intelli
gence
I
C6
I6
Components of an horizontal system (Authors)
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
Authors
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
complonents
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
Amygdala
(?)
Ectomorphy
Asthenic
Flight
Abulia
Low self-esteem
Serotonin
(?)
Rapid
metabolism
Negative
emotions
Overcontrolled
Selective
attention
Analytical style
Cortisol
(?)
Psychomotor
inhibition
Shyness
Guilt
Fluid
intelligence (Gf)
Eysenck
Cattell
Costa, McCrae
Norman
Caspi y Silva
Robins
York & John
Van Lieshout
Lluís-Font,
Kemler Nelson
& Smith, Cattell,
Mira, Gustafsson
Gray, Cloninger
Damasio, Dabbs
Knutson
Zuckerman
Sigaud
Kretschmer
Sheldon
Mira López
Multiple intelligences in Systems Net Theory
y
x
Specific systems
and dimensions
(vertical)
General and
functional systems
and dimensions
(horizontal)
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
Neurophy
siological
system
Somatic systems
Affective systems
Conative systems
Specific cognitive systems
Neurophy
siological
Morpho
logical
Physio
logical
Pycho
motor
Instinc
tive
Emotio
nal
Social
Volitive
Beha
vioral
Ethical
Selfpercep
tive
Strate
gic
Specia
lized
cogniti
ve
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Fluid
intelli
gence
Gf
A
A13
TEMPERAMENT
Spatial
intellige
nce
Gv
Rapid action
system
Hostility
H
Approach
system
Extraversion
H13
Crystalli
zed
intellig.
Gc
E
E13
CHARACTER
Cognitive
control
Self-regulation and
execution system
Self-control
C
INTELLECT
Cognitive
integration system
Intellect
I
C13
Neurophy
siological
intelligence
Perceptive
Functional
corporal
corporal
I1
I2
intelli
gence
Instincti
ve
intelli
gence
Emotio
nal
intelli
gence
Social
intelli
gence
Executi
ve
intellige
nce
Adaptive
Strategic
intelli
gence
Moral
intelli
gence
Self-
intelli
gence
Kines
thetic
intelli
gence
perceptive
intelli
gence
General
intelli
gence
“g”
I3
I4
I5
I6
I7
I8
I9
I10
I11
I12
I13
intelli
gence
Multiple intelligences and cognitive styles in Systems Net Theory
y
x
Specific systems
and dimensions
(vertical)
General and
functional systems
and dimensions
(horizontal)
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
Neurophy
siological
system
Somatic systems
Affective systems
Conative systems
Specific cognitive systems
TEMPERAMENT
Morpho
logical
Physio
logical
Pycho
motor
Instinc
tive
Emotio
nal
Social
Volitive
Beha
vioral
Ethical
Selfpercep
tive
Strate
gic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Analyti
cal style
Fluid
intelli
gence
Gf
A12
A13
Intuition
Nonstrategic
Spatial
intelli
gence
Gv
H12
H13
Holistic
style
Crystallized
intellig.
Gc
E12
E13
Cognitive
strate
gies
control
Cognitive
control
C12
C13
A
Rapid action
system
Hostility
H
Approach
system
Extraversion
CHARACTER
Neurophy
siological
Specia
lized
cogniti
ve
E
Self-regulation and
execution system
Self-control
C
INTELLECT
Cognitive
integration system
Intellect
I
Neurophy
siological
intelligence
Perceptive
Functional
corporal
corporal
I1
I2
intelli
gence
Instincti
ve
intelli
gence
Emotio
nal
intelli
gence
Social
intelli
gence
Executi
ve
intellige
nce
Adaptive
Strategic
intelli
gence
Moral
intelli
gence
Self-
intelli
gence
Kines
thetic
intelli
gence
perceptive
intelli
gence
General
intelli
gence
“g”
I3
I4
I5
I6
I7
I8
I9
I10
I11
I12
I13
intelli
gence
The components of the three temperamental systems in
different authors
-Neurophysiological: The three principal neurotransmitters
(Cloninger, 1986)
• Neurofisiológicos: Los tres principales neurotransmisores (Cloninger,
-Somatic:
1993)The three constitutional types
(Kretschmer,
1942)
• Somáticos: 1921;
Los tresSheldon,
tipos constitucionales
(Kretschmer, 1922,
Sheldon, 1942)
-Affective: The three temperamental dimensions
• Afectivos
: Las Chamove
tres dimensiones
(Eysenck, 1985)
(Eysenck,
1985;
et al. PEN
1972)
-Conative: The three behavioral types
(Block, 1971; York & John,1992; Van Lieshout & Haselager, 1994;
Caspi & Silva, 1995; Robins et al., 1996)
-Cognitive styles: The three cognitive styles
(Kemler Nelson & Smith, 1989)
-Cognitive intelligences: The three specialized intelligences
(Mira, 1947; Cattell, 1971; Gustafsson, 1988)
SystemsNet
NetTheory:
Theory: basic
Systems
basicideas
ideas
• Distinction between two types of biological systems
– General, functional, horizontal
– Specific, structural, pentafactorial, vertical
• Distinction between two types of general systems
– Three temperamental systems, oriented to survival (in humans and
animals)
– Two self-regulation and integration systems (exclusive to homo sapiens)
• Distinction between the nature and the function of traits
• Identification of traits from theoretical prediction
• Conceptualizing dimensions as a result of the reactivity of biological
systems
• Conceptualizing primary traits as a result of the interaction of a general
system and an specific one
Typology of the big general and functional systems
Three temperamental systems, oriented to survival, in humans and
animals (S-O-R systems):
. Inhibition or self-preservation system (ANXIETY)
. Rapid action system (HOSTILITY)
. Approach system (EXTRAVERSION)
Two human, self-regulatory and adaptive systems:
. Self-regulation and execution system (SELF-CONTROL)
. Cognitive integration system (INTELLECT)
Order of the Big Five, according to different authors
x
y
Factors
I
II
III
IV
V
Authors
Norman
(1963)
Costa &
McCrae
(1992)
John
(1990)
(Acronym)
Lluís-Font
(2002, 2004)
(3+2)
E
Surgency
A
Agreeableness
C
Conscientiousness
N
Emotional
stability
I
Intellect
N
Neuroticism
E
Extraversion
O
Openness
A
Agreeableness
C
Responsibility
O
Openness
C
Conscientiousness
E
Extraversion
A
Agreeableness
N
Neuroticism
A (N)
Anxiety
H (A)
Hostility
E
Extraversion
C
Self-control
I
Intellect
Structure and dynamics of the three archaic (independent)
temperamental systems in animals
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
S
R
Rapid action
system
Hostility
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
S
R
Approach
system
Extraversion
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
S
R
Neurological connection of the three archaic temperamental systems in homo sapiens
(Transition towards the five general systems)
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
Rapid action
system
Hostility
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
Approach
system
Extraversion
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
S
Origin of the specific or vertical systems in SNT
Regulating systems
Temperamental systems
Neurophysiological
system
Somatic
systems
Affective
systems
Conative
systems
Specific cognitive
systems
Inhibition system
Anxiety
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
Rapid action
system
Hostility
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
Approach system
Extraversion
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
Self-regulation
system
Self-control
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
R
Cognitive
integration system
Intellect
Neurophysiological
components
Somatic
components
Affective
components
Conative
components
Cognitive
components
O
S
Structure and dynamics of a general, functional and horizontal system
x
y
O
Specific
systems
General
system
Inhibition
System
ANXIETY
Neurophysiological
Somatic
Anatomical
(Amygdala)
Morphological
(Asthenic)
Biochemical
(Cortisol)
Electrical
(...)
Physiological
(Rapid
metabolism)
Psychomotor
(Psychomotor
inhibition)
Affective
Instinctive
(Flight)
Emotional
(Negative
emotions)
Social
(Shyness)
Conative
Specialized
cognitive
Volitive
(Abulia)
Selfconcept
(Low selfesteem)
Behavioral
(Overcontrolled,
BIS)
Ethical
(Guilt)
Strategic
(Selective
attention,
analytical
style)
Aptitudinal
(Fluid
intelligence)
S
R
Structure and dynamics of emotional system
x
y
Specific
systems
General
systems
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
1
A
Rapid action
system
H
Hostility
Approach
system
Extraversion
E
2
3
4
Emotional
system
Emotionality
6
9
10
11
12
13
Negative
emotions
A6
Emotional
toughness
H6
S
Positive
emotions
E6
Self-regulation
system
C
Self-control
Emotional
control
C6
Cognitive
integration
system
Intellect
Emotional
intelligence
I6
I
8
R
O
Structure and dynamics of psychomotor system
x
y
Specific
systems
General
systems
Psychomotor
system
Psychomotor
reactivity
4
A
Psychomotor
inhibition
A4
Rapid action
system
H
Hostility
Hyperkinesis
H4
Approach
system
E
Extraversion
Expansive
mobility
E4
Sel-regulation
system
C
Self-control
Psychomotor
control
C4
R
Kinesthetic
intelligence
I4
O
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
Cognitive
integration
system
Intellect
I
S
Structure and dynamics of specialized cognitive system
x
y
Specific
systems
General
systems
Specialized
cognitive system
Cognitive
reactivity
13
A
Fluid
intelligence
Gf
A13
Rapid action
system
H
Hostility
Spatial
intelligence
Gv
H13
Approach
system
Extraversion
Crystallized
intelligence
Gc
E13
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
E
Self-regulation
system
C
Self-control
Cognitive
integration
system
Intellect
I
Cognitive
control
C13
General
intelligence
“g”
I13
S
R
O
Structure and dynamics of personality in Systems Net Theory
x
y
Specific systems
and dimensions
(vertical)
General and
functional systems
and dimensions
(horizontal)
Inhibition
system
Anxiety
A
Neurophy
siological
system
Somatic systems
Affective systems
Conative systems
Specific cognitive systems
Neurophy
siological
Morpho
logical
Physio
logical
Psycho
motor
Instinc
tive
Emotio
nal
Social
Volitive
Beha
vioral
Ethical
Selfpercpti
ve
Strate
gic
Specia
lized
cognive
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
A8
A9
A10
A11
A12
A13
TEMPERAMENT
Symbolic
Rapid action
system
Hostility
Approach
system
Extraversion
S
Figurative
H
H1
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
H7
H8
H9
H10
H11
H12
H13
E
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
E6
E7
E8
E9
E10
E11
E12
E13
CHARACTER
Self-regulation
and execution
system
Self-control C
INTELLECT
Cognitive
integration
system
Intellect
I
Semantic
R
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
C8
C9
C10
C11
C12
C13
O
I1
I2
I3
I4
I5
I6
I7
I8
I9
I10
I11
I12
I13