Psychophysiology and individual differences: Theory, research procedures, and the interpretation of data

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Abstract
A number of critics have suggested that the psychophysiology of individual differences suffers from a poor quality of research endeavour. We examine the assumptions underlying biological approaches to individual differences and show how these assumptions, if properly interpreted, can lead to valuable research. Much of the existing research is confounded by a variety of errors including poor development of theory, inadequate psychometrics, weak physiological measurement, limited experimentation and an over‐interpretation of empirical findings. We suggest that the research can alter direction by investing in process oriented studies backed by multivariate parametric and programmatic research. Illustrative examples are offered of good and bad practice. However, we are forced to conclude that at this stage of development, there are few bodies of coherent data which may be described with any confidence. Because both psychophysiology and individual differences sample physiological, behavioural and experiential domains, a variety of logical and technical problems make research in this field extremely difficult. It may be that the psychophysiology of individual differences awaits the creation of general theories of behaviour before it can reach its true apotheosis.