Showing papers in "Journal of Individual Differences in 2017"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated how grit is related to the satisfaction of the basic needs and subjective well-being and found that grit is strongly related to both the autonomy and competence needs, and these needs mediated the effect of grit on subjective wellbeing.
Abstract: . In this study, we investigated how grit is related to the satisfaction of the basic needs and subjective well-being. Grit means dedication to long-term goals with enthusiasm, which is closely related to success in objective terms. Thus, we expected that grit would be positively related to satisfying the autonomy and competence needs, which would lead to greater subjective well-being (i.e., higher life satisfaction and lower depression). A survey of young adults (N = 455) revealed that grit is strongly related to both the autonomy and competence needs, and these needs mediated the effect of grit on subjective well-being. Grit, did not directly increase life satisfaction but weakly decreased depression. Further, the two basic needs played different roles in enhancing subjective well-being. Autonomy reduced depression, and competence increased life satisfaction.
86 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a sample of undergraduates from a traditionally individualistic and a traditionally collectivistic culture (Canada and China) completed measures of self-oriented perfectionism, personal standards, socially prescribed perfectionism and concern over mistakes, doubts about actions.
Abstract: Neuroticism overlaps substantially with several perfectionism dimensions, depression, anxiety, stress, and life satisfaction Accordingly, research testing whether perfectionism dimensions explain unique variance in these outcomes beyond neuroticism is needed Research on cultural differences in perfectionism is also scarce And it is especially unclear whether the link between perfectionism and psychological distress differs across individualistic and collectivistic cultures Our study addressed these important gaps in knowledge A sample of undergraduates from a traditionally individualistic culture (Canada; N = 449) and a traditionally collectivistic culture (China; N = 585) completed measures of self-oriented perfectionism, personal standards, socially prescribed perfectionism, concern over mistakes, doubts about actions, depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life To test the incremental validity of perfectionism dimensions beyond neuroticism, as well as to test potential moder
52 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, negative urgency is defined as the tendency to act rashly when faced with intense negative emotions and hostile attribution bias (HAB) which refers to the tendency of interpreting the intention of others as hostile when social context cues are ambiguous are two key psychological factors underlying reactive aggression.
Abstract: . Negative urgency defined as the tendency to act rashly when faced with intense negative emotions and hostile attribution bias (HAB) which refers to the tendency to interpret the intention of others as hostile when social context cues are ambiguous are two key psychological factors underlying reactive aggression. However, the specific associations between these factors in relation to reactive aggression have not been tested yet with competing models. The objective of the study was to test three putative models: (1) negative urgency moderates the association between HAB and reactive aggression; (2) HAB mediates the link between negative urgency and reactive aggression; (3) negative urgency mediates the relation between HAB and reactive aggression. One-hundred seventy-six participants were given self-report questionnaires to assess impulsivity, reactive aggression, as well as vignettes featuring a social situation measuring HAB in response to an ambiguous social provocation. The results showed that...
36 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated whether personality characteristics are associated with memory conformity and found that significant correlations between personality and memory conformity were found, with decreased openness, extraversion, and neuroticism related to increased reporting of post-event misinformation, increased agreeableness related to increasing reporting of accurate post event info.
Abstract: . When an individual’s memory for an event is altered by post-event information (PEI) provided by a co-witness, this is known as memory conformity (Wright, Self, & Justice, 2000). The aim of this study was to investigate whether personality characteristics are associated with memory conformity. Ninety-nine participants viewed a crime film and then completed the Ten-Item Personality Questionnaire (TIPI; Gosling, Rentfrow, & Swann, 2003), a measure of extraversion, openness, agreeableness, neuroticism, and conscientiousness. Participants then discussed the film with a co-witness who contributed 12 items of post-event information (6 correct, 6 incorrect). Finally, participants completed a film recall questionnaire individually. Significant correlations between personality and memory conformity were found, with decreased openness, extraversion, and neuroticism related to increased reporting of post-event misinformation, increased agreeableness related to increased reporting of accurate post-event info...
35 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a social desirability interpretation of the GFP was tested by comparing one-factor models of the HEXACO under standard versus fake-good instructions (N = 185 undergraduates).
Abstract: . A General Factor of Personality (GFP) can be derived by extracting one factor from a broad range of personality dimensions. Researchers are divided on whether the GFP represents social desirability or an evolved trait with survival value. The current paper tests a social desirability interpretation of the GFP by comparing one-factor models of the HEXACO under standard versus fake-good instructions (N = 185 undergraduates). Analyses include both principal components analyses (PCA) and a comparison of factorial invariance of a hierarchical one-factor model. Compared to standard instructions, fake-good instructions showed: (a) significantly higher correlations between domain scale scores for 10 of 15 cases; (b) significantly higher component loadings in the PCA; (c) significantly more variance explained by the GFP (in both principal components and invariance analyses); and (d) significantly higher correlations with a cognitive g factor derived from six indicators. Results support a social desirabil...
34 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined whether and how people use anxiety to motivate themselves and found that individuals who are clear about their feelings are more likely to thrive on anxiety and eustress and possibly use these to achieve their goals and find satisfaction at work.
Abstract: . Why do some people work best under pressure? In two studies, we examined whether and how people use anxiety to motivate themselves. As predicted, clarity of feelings moderated the relationship between trait anxiety and the tendency to use this emotion as a source of motivation (i.e., anxiety motivation). Furthermore, anxiety motivation mediated the relationship between trait anxiety and outcomes – including academic achievement (Study 1) as well as persistence and job satisfaction (Study 2). These findings suggest that individuals who are clear about their feelings are more likely to thrive on anxiety and eustress and possibly use these to achieve their goals and find satisfaction at work.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated to what extent mentally tough individuals use two emotion regulation strategies: cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, and explored whether individual differences in emotion regulation strategy use mediate the relationship between mental toughness and depressive symptoms.
Abstract: . Mental Toughness (MT) provides crucial psychological capacities for achievement in sports, education, and work settings. Previous research examined the role of MT in the domain of mental health and showed that MT is negatively associated with and predictive of fewer depressive symptoms in nonclinical populations. The present study aimed at (1) investigating to what extent mentally tough individuals use two emotion regulation strategies: cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression; (2) exploring whether individual differences in emotion regulation strategy use mediate the relationship between MT and depressive symptoms. Three hundred sixty-four participants (M = 24.31 years, SD = 9.16) provided self-reports of their levels of MT, depressive symptoms, and their habitual use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. The results showed a statistically significant correlation between MT and two commonly used measures of depressive symptoms. A small statistically significant positive c...
23 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue and test the proposition that relations between maximizing and future-oriented outcomes can be explained by futureoriented thinking and show that maximizers are more likely to consider the future consequences of their current actions and are less likely to engage in temporal discounting behaviors.
Abstract: Maximizing Tendency is a decision style characterized by holding a higher standard for one’s decision Initially, this style had been linked to negative life outcomes (eg, decision regret, life dissatisfaction, depression), but recent studies have begun to show the opposite In this study, we argue and test the proposition that relations between maximizing and future-oriented outcomes can be explained by future-oriented thinking Results show that maximizers are more likely to consider the future consequences of their current actions In turn, maximizers intend to save more, have more savings, show a greater concern for guiding the next generation, and are less likely to engage in temporal discounting behaviors The study concludes that maximizing can be a beneficial decision style due, in part, to its impact on future-oriented thinking, and adds to a growing literature suggesting that maximizing can, in fact, be a good thing
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors tested whether the personality profile constituting the resilient prototype is an artifact of self-deceptive enhancement in answering questionnaires and contrasted self-reports of resilients with objective data that they collected during an actual stressful event.
Abstract: . Typologies based on Big Five questionnaire data always include the resilient prototype, which is defined by low scores on neuroticism and above-average scores on extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. When measurement of the criterion domains is based on self-reports, this type evidences superior psychological adjustment and well-being in nearly all domains. In the present study, we tested whether the personality profile constituting the resilient prototype is an artifact of self-deceptive enhancement in answering questionnaires. Therefore, we contrasted self-reports of resilients with objective data that we collected during an actual stressful event. A total of 112 pupils (15–19 years) were examined via questionnaires and asked to complete a speech task in front of a video camera. Stress reactions were measured by self-reports as well as by nonverbal behavior, achievement, and physiological responding. Results showed that resilients differed from the other personality prototypes on...
15 citations
TL;DR: This article examined the relationship between RPM performance, visuospatial ability and fluid ability, and any sex differences in these relationships, and found that visuaspatial ability significantly contributes to performance on the RPM, over and above fluid ability.
Abstract: . Debate surrounding the role of visuospatial ability in performance on the Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM) has existed since their conception. This issue has yet to be adequately resolved, and may have implications regarding sex differences in scores. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between RPM performance, visuospatial ability and fluid ability, and any sex differences in these relationships. Data were obtained from three samples: two University samples completed the Advanced RPM and one population-based sample of men completed the Standard RPM. All samples additionally completed an alternative measure of fluid ability, and one or more measures of visuospatial ability. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between performance on the visuospatial and fluid ability tests and performance on the RPM. Visuospatial ability was found to significantly contribute to performance on the RPM, over and above fluid ability, supporting the contention that...
13 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored whether conceptual metaphors of this type can provide insights into the prosocial trait of agreeableness and into daily life prosociality and found that more agreeable people liked sweet foods to a greater extent.
Abstract: . Metaphors often characterize prosocial actions and people as sweet. Three studies sought to explore whether conceptual metaphors of this type can provide insights into the prosocial trait of agreeableness and into daily life prosociality. Study 1 (n = 698) examined relationships between agreeableness and food taste preferences. Studies 2 (n = 66) and 3 (n = 132) utilized daily diary protocols. In Study 1, more agreeable people liked sweet foods to a greater extent. In Study 2, greater sweet food preferences predicted a stronger positive relationship between daily prosocial behaviors and positive affect, a pattern consistent with prosocial motivation. Finally, Study 3 found that daily prosocial feelings and behaviors varied positively with sweet food consumption in a manner that could not be ascribed to positive affect or self-control. Altogether, the findings encourage further efforts to extend conceptual metaphor theory to the domain of personality processes, in part by building on balance-rela...
TL;DR: The authors investigated the effect of intelligence on the environmental efficiency of well-being (EWEB) using data from 101 countries and found that countries with high-IQ populations transform environmental consumption into wellbeing more efficiently.
Abstract: . Recent studies have conceptualized sustainability as the environmental efficiency of well-being (EWEB). This paper makes an attempt to investigate the effect of intelligence on EWEB using data from 101 countries. Our results show that countries with high-IQ populations transform environmental consumption into well-being more efficiently. Moreover, we find little evidence in support of an inverted-U curve between economic development and EWEB, and thus our findings shed new light on the economic development-EWEB nexus. These findings are robust to the inclusion of additional explanatory variables and the use of alternative measurements of intelligence.
TL;DR: Openness and intellect may differentially predict engagement for two possible reasons. as mentioned in this paper found that engagement with sensory experiences is associated with openness, whereas engagement with abstract information was associated with intellect, a distinction based on content.
Abstract: . Openness and intellect may differentially predict engagement for two possible reasons. First, engagement with sensory experiences is associated with openness, whereas engagement with abstract information is associated with intellect – a distinction based on content. Second, openness reflects affective, and intellect cognitive processing – a distinction based on affect. These two positions are contrasted through associations of both openness and intellect with interest in a broad range of stimuli. Participants (N = 191) viewed images of visual art, philosophical quotations, and scientific discoveries and rated them on interest, appraised novelty and understanding. Only openness predicted greater interest in all stimuli types. Appraised understanding mediated the openness-interest relationship for visual art and philosophy, while intellect was associated with greater appraised understanding of science and philosophy. Openness was associated with weaker understanding-interest relationships for visu...
TL;DR: This paper explored a series of proposed antecedent predictors of forgiveness, including grit, self-forgiveness, and the willingness to forgive others, and found that grit was the only significant predictor of both self- and other-Forgiveness.
Abstract: . The current study explored a series of proposed antecedent predictors of forgiveness. Grit, or an individual’s level of persistence toward long-term goals, was investigated along with personality as predictors of self- and other-forgiveness. A sample of 218 college students from the Midwestern United States completed three questionnaires and a demographics sheet. Consistent with theoretical predictions, correlations among grit, self-forgiveness, and the willingness to forgive others were all positive, as were correlations among a select set of personality factors and both forgiveness orientations. With regard to predictive relationships, grit was the only significant predictor of both self- and other-forgiveness. Among personality factors, neuroticism served as a significant, negative predictor of self-forgiveness while agreeableness was found to predict other-forgiveness. Discussion and implications of the findings are discussed.
TL;DR: The authors found that younger age was associated with less negative evaluations of narcissistic (vs. non-narcissistic) statements in general, and more positive evaluation of narcissistic statements conveying leadership/authority.
Abstract: . Young adult narcissism has been the focus of much discussion in the personality literature and popular press. Yet no previous studies have addressed whether there are age differences in the relative desirability of narcissistic and non-narcissistic self-descriptions, such as those presented as answer choices on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI; Raskin & Hall, 1979). In Study 1, younger age was associated with less negative evaluations of narcissistic (vs. non-narcissistic) statements in general, and more positive evaluations of narcissistic statements conveying leadership/authority. In Study 2, age was unrelated to perceiving a fictional target person as narcissistic, but younger age was associated with more positive connotations for targets described with narcissistic statements and less positive connotations for targets described with non-narcissistic statements, in terms of the inferences made about the target’s altruism, conscientiousness, social status, and self-esteem. In both s...
TL;DR: In this article, the cognitive ability of white children was found to be positively correlated with the UV Index rather than with other variables, such as temperature, geo-residential pattern of subpopulations, prevalence of infectious diseases, and UV radiation.
Abstract: . Temperature, geo-residential pattern of subpopulations, prevalence of infectious diseases, and UV radiation have been proposed to explain the declining cognitive ability observed with proximity to the equator in the USA. This study tested the cognitive effects of the four variables. The results reveal that the latitudinal decline of cognitive ability is strongly correlated with the UV Index rather than with the other variables among White children. The decline in measured cognitive ability from north to south is absent among African American and Hispanic children, plausibly because the high levels of skin melanin among these ethnic groups, by absorbing and dissipating light, prevent the occurrence of radiation’s cognitive effects among these populations at USA latitudes. The possible physiological mediators (oxidative stress, folate degradation, sexual hormones) suggest diet, family planning, and educational methods as mitigating strategies; however, specific studies measuring the mediating vari...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship among digit ratio, depression, and positive/negative affect and found no association between digit ratio and depression, although the current sample size of 355 could detect r = 0.2 at α ≤ 0.05, and β ≤ 1.2.
Abstract: . The digit ratio is a putative biomarker for evaluating the organizational effects of prenatal testosterone. This evaluation was performed by relating postnatal traits to digit ratio. We examined the relationship among digit ratio, depression, and positive/negative affect. A total of 335 university students who completed a set of questionnaires had both of their hands scanned, and the digit ratios were measured using a computer program. All the studied variables were insignificantly related to the right-hand digit ratio. The variables remained insignificant even when the data for males and females were analyzed separately. Furthermore, a meta-analysis, including a previous study combined with current data, showed no association between digit ratio and depression, although the current sample size of 355 could detect r = 0.2 at α = 0.05, and β = 0.2. The lack of association between digit ratio and depression was common, and the present results corroborated those of previous studies, which showed no...
TL;DR: This paper showed that knowledge helps people align their ideology with their personality, but that the Openness×Political Sophistication interaction is specific to one aspect of Openness - nuances that are overlooked in the literature.
Abstract: . Research demonstrates that the negative relationship between Openness to Experience and conservatism is heightened among the informed. We extend this literature using national survey data (Study 1; N = 13,203) and data from students (Study 2; N = 311). As predicted, education – a correlate of political sophistication – strengthened the negative relationship between Openness and conservatism (Study 1). Study 2 employed a knowledge-based measure of political sophistication to show that the Openness × Political Sophistication interaction was restricted to the Openness aspect of Openness. These studies demonstrate that knowledge helps people align their ideology with their personality, but that the Openness × Political Sophistication interaction is specific to one aspect of Openness – nuances that are overlooked in the literature.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined individual differences in the use of cognitive reappraisal predict the experience of more positive and less negative emotions prior to an evaluative task, as well as whether re-evaluation is associated with better performance.
Abstract: . In the present study, we examined whether individual differences in the use of cognitive reappraisal predict the experience of more positive and less negative emotions prior to an evaluative task, as well as whether reappraisal is associated with better performance. In a longitudinal design, 130 students were asked to report their spontaneous use of reappraisal as well as the emotions experienced at three time points prior to an academic exam. Results showed that the use of cognitive reappraisal measured when students began to study predicted less negative and more positive emotions in the following two weeks. Further, positive and negative affect were significant predictors of the grade achieved. Finally, cognitive reappraisal had a significant indirect effect on the grade students achieved. These findings suggest that cognitive reappraisal can be effective in regulating emotions while approaching evaluative stressors.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the role of the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality in academic performance and used this model as a reference point to test the incremental validity of two measures of Self-efficacy (Academic and Emotional) and an indicator of Absenteeism.
Abstract: . The study was developed in the context of Personality and Social Cognitive Theory with constructs that encapsulate non-intellective processes of academic achievement. The goal was to explore the role of the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality in academic performance and to use this model as a reference point to test the incremental validity of two measures of Self-efficacy (Academic and Emotional) and an indicator of Absenteeism. Participants (N = 120) were comprised of 17-year-old male (n = 47) and female (n = 73) opportunistically sampled secondary level college students. A cross-sectional design was used to examine the relationship between the independent variables (FFM, Academic Self-efficacy, Emotional Self-efficacy, and Absenteeism) and the outcome variable, Grade Points Average (GPA). Correlation analysis found that four FFM factors and the two Self-efficacy measures were associated with GPA. In a hierarchical regression analysis, the FFM explained 22% variance on performance and the t...
TL;DR: This work invited the parents of 327 children to complete a modified version of the MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire (HBQ-P), which has a subscale for relational aggression and used logistic regression models that predicted relational aggression after controlling for covariates.
Abstract: . Understanding the genetic influence on aggressive behavior in children is one way to understand pathways to the development of aggression in adults. While aggression is likely under some environmental influence, it is also likely under some genetic influence. Overt aggression associates with a variety of genes including dopaminergic and serotonergic genes. Dopaminergic and serotonergic genes are known to be associated with overt aggression. However, little is known regarding the genetic pathways associated with relational aggression. Detecting genetic associates of relational aggression is important to eventually understand pathways to socially aggressive behaviors in children. Therefore, we attempted to determine if relational aggression was also associated with dopaminergic and serotonergic genes. We invited the parents of 327 children to complete a modified version of the MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire (HBQ-P), which has a subscale for relational aggression. We used logistic regr...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the factor structure of the Iowa-Netherlands Social Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM) and explore the associations of its factors with the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality.
Abstract: . The aims of this study were, first, to reassess the factor structure of the Iowa-Netherlands Social Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM) and, second, to explore the associations of its factors with the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality. Data from 337 respondents were collected via online questionnaire. Structural equation models were used to assess the factor structure of the INCOM and test for relationships with RST traits. The results confirmed previous findings that the INCOM contains two factors: Ability, which relates to the comparison of performance, and Opinion, which relates to the comparison of thoughts and emotions. The two-factor model was found to be superior to the commonly used one-factor solution. The models further revealed significant relationships with RST factors: positive associations between the Ability factor and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Approach System (BAS) Reward Reactivity; positive associations between the Opinion fact...
TL;DR: The authors showed that news exposure is more strongly associated with political discussion for younger age groups than news exposure was associated with older age groups in a survey of N = 69,125 German respondents.
Abstract: . Using the theory of fluid-crystallized intelligence, we argue that with growing age, political discussion becomes less important as a complement to news exposure in political knowledge building. We applied moderated mediation analyses to the survey data of N = 69,125 German respondents. The data supported the hypothesis that news exposure influences political discussion, which in turn leverages political knowledge. As expected, we showed that news exposure is more strongly associated with political discussion for younger age groups. The results are discussed with regard to how to integrate a psychological lifespan perspective into further research on knowledge acquisition.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors expand the literature on impulsivity and Cluster B personality disorders by conceptualizing impulsivity in a multidimensional manner and find that impulsivity was indeed predictive of Cluster B dimensions and each PD scale exhibited a unique impulsivity profile.
Abstract: . The goal of the present investigation was to expand the literature on impulsivity and Cluster B personality disorders (PDs) by conceptualizing impulsivity in a multidimensional manner. Two separate undergraduate samples (n = 223; n = 204) completed measures of impulsivity and Cluster B dimensions. Impulsivity was indeed predictive of Cluster B dimensions and, importantly, each PD scale exhibited a unique impulsivity profile. Findings for borderline PD scores were highly consistent across samples and strongly and positively associated with urgency and lack of perseverance, as expected. Findings for the other PD dimensions also exhibited a fair amount of consistency. Implications of these findings for diagnostic classification and treatment are discussed.
TL;DR: This paper found that distress disclosure tendencies were not predictive of the subjective experience of emotion, but they were positively related to facial expressions of sadness and happiness, and that the benefits of talking with others about unpleasant emotions have been thoroughly investigated, but individual differences in distress disclosure tendency have not been adequately integrated within theoretical models of emotion.
Abstract: . The benefits of talking with others about unpleasant emotions have been thoroughly investigated, but individual differences in distress disclosure tendencies have not been adequately integrated within theoretical models of emotion. The purpose of this laboratory research was to determine whether distress disclosure tendencies stem from differences in emotional reactivity or differences in emotion regulation. After completing measures of distress disclosure tendencies, social desirability, and positive and negative affect, 84 participants (74% women) were video recorded while viewing a sadness-inducing film clip. Participants completed post-film measures of affect and were then interviewed about their reactions to the film; these interviews were audio recorded for later coding and computerized text analysis. Distress disclosure tendencies were not predictive of the subjective experience of emotion, but they were positively related to facial expressions of sadness and happiness. Distress disclosur...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the reliability and validity of Varimax rotated principal component scores (VRPCS) in terms of orthogonality, reliability, and criterion-related validity.
Abstract: . Varimax rotated principal component scores (VRPCS) have previously been offered as a possible solution to the non-orthogonality of scores for the Big Five factors. However, few researchers have examined the reliability and validity of VRPCS. To address this gap, we use a lab study and a field study to investigate whether using VRPCS increase orthogonality, reliability, and criterion-related validity. Compared to the traditional unit-weighting scoring method, the use of VRPCS enhanced the reliability and discriminant validity of the Big Five factors, although there was little improvement in criterion-related validity. Results are discussed in terms of the benefit of using VRPCS instead of traditional unit-weighted sum scores.
TL;DR: An association study between six ABCA1 polymorphisms and temperament scales measured by Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory on 253 young adults confirmed an independent association between rs4149264 and harm avoidance.
Abstract: . Even though cholesterol homeostasis and self-harm behaviors have shown to be associated, gene polymorphisms of the cholesterol system have not been studied yet in the context of self-harm related personality traits. Here we present an association study between six ABCA1 polymorphisms and temperament scales measured by Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory on 253 young adults. An association between ABCA1 rs4149264 and harm avoidance has been observed. This association remained significant after Bonferroni correction. Haplotype analysis confirmed an independent association between rs4149264 and harm avoidance. ABCA1, a cholesterol homeostasis gene, is a candidate gene for harm related personality traits.
TL;DR: The results showed that higher hypodopaminergic genetic risk score positively predicted higher Novelty Seeking score, which provides a mechanism for incorporating genetic predisposition into theory-driven multivariate etiological models of psychological constructs such as personality and mental illness.
Abstract: . Previous research is mixed regarding the relation between dopamine and Novelty Seeking. The goals of the current study were to support the hypotheses that Novelty Seeking is associated with dopamine genes and that modeling genetic risk score increases the utility of genetic information in hypothesis-driven research. The results showed that higher hypodopaminergic genetic risk score positively predicted higher Novelty Seeking score, F(1, 115) = 5.76, p < .01, R2 = 0.06. The findings support study hypotheses and, in combination with previous studies, show the utility of empirically validated system-based risk scores as a means of modeling genetic predisposition in neurobiological systems. This approach provides a mechanism for incorporating genetic predisposition into theory-driven multivariate etiological models of psychological constructs such as personality and mental illness.