Post-Soviet Psychology and Individual Differences in Cognition: A Psychophysiological Perspective

Abstract

In spite of propaganda promoting collectivism and human equality in Soviet times, the study of individual differences was developed due to Pavlov’s great contributions to understanding the physio­logical basis of individual differences. Pavlov made a priority of studying the properties of the higher nervous system, leading to the development of psychophysiological approaches to individual differences by his followers. A key idea developed by Pavlov and his followers was that individual differences in conditioning reflexes support different styles of behavioral regulation and temperament. This insight has led to a distinctive Soviet perspective on individual differences in executive control. Therefore, before going to the main topic of this chapter, I would like to introduce the most important psychophysiological contributions that have influenced the development of the psychology of individual differences.