title: Toward a deeper characterization of the social phenotype of Williams syndrome: The association between personality and social drive.
abstract: Previous research has robustly established a Williams syndrome (WS) specific personality profile, predominantly characterized a gregarious, people-oriented, and tense predisposition. Extending this work, the aims of the current, cross-sectional study were two-fold: (1) to elucidate the stability of personality characteristics in individuals with WS and typically developing (TD) comparisons across development, and (2) to explore the personality attributes that may be related to the respective profiles of social functioning characterizing the two groups, which is currently poorly understood. The sample comprised of participants with WS and TD matched on chronological age. The test battery included the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Salk Institute Sociability Questionnaire (SISQ), an index of real-life social behavior. The main results showed that compared to the TD individuals, the WS group were consistently rated higher in Social Closeness, and this trait remained stable across development. Interpersonal behaviors were best predicted by Social Closeness in WS and by Social Potency in TD. Regression analysis highlighted that while a central motive underlying the increased drive toward social interaction in individuals with WS pertains to a desire to form affectionate relationships, TD individuals by contrast are motivated by a desire to exert social influence over others (leadership, social-dominance) and Well-Being (positive emotional disposition). In conclusion, these findings provide novel insight into social motivational factors underpinning the WS social behavior in real life, and contribute toward a deeper characterization of the WS affiliative drive. We suggest potential areas for behavioral intervention targeting improved social adjustment in individuals with WS.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037-1002, USA; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Institute of Child Development, 51 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Rowena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037-1002, USA. Electronic address: pasley@salk.edu.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Järvinen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037-1002, USA.
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bellugi
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010551:Personality; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D066107:Social Skills; D018980:Williams Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Personality; Social behavior; Social functioning; Social motivation; Williams syndrome