Augmenting and Reducing: Individual Differences in Evoked Potentials

Individual differences in the perception of stimulation can be conceptualized as a function of sensory inhibition. The evoked potential measure of augmenting/ reducing supports this characterization on the basis of correlates with sensation-seeking behaviours, pain tolerance and vulnerability to psychopathology. Furthermore, demographic, genetic and reliability data indicate that evoked potential augmenting/reducing may be a trait-like feature, although the lack of cross modal correlations needs further clarification. Topographic mapping may help identify specific or general brain areas related to sensory inhibition. Whether or not sensory inhibition as measured by the evoked potential is a fundamental basis for personality or other complex behaviour awaits further research.