General Personality Science

Neurodivergence

Natural variation in brain function affecting how people think, learn, and process information. Includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurological differences.

Neurodivergence (coined by Judy Singer, 1998) is the umbrella term for brain-based differences that fall outside the "typical" range. The neurodiversity paradigm views these as natural human variation — not defects to be cured.

Common forms: ADHD (attention regulation), Autism/ASC (social processing, sensory sensitivity), Dyslexia (reading/language processing), Dyspraxia/DCD (motor coordination), Dyscalculia (number processing), and Tourette Syndrome.

Neurodivergent people make up an estimated 15-20% of the population. The neurodiversity movement advocates for accommodation rather than cure — recognizing that many "disabilities" are actually mismatches between neurology and environment.

Related Terms

Introversion

A personality preference for lower stimulation environments. Introverts recharge through solitude and deep focus, prefer small groups over large parties, and think before speaking.

Personality Trait

A relatively stable pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that distinguishes one person from another. Traits are continuous dimensions (not categories) measured on a spectrum.

Ambivert

A person who falls near the middle of the introversion-extraversion spectrum, displaying both introverted and extroverted behaviors depending on context. Most people (60-70%) are ambiverts.

Dark Triad

Three socially aversive personality traits: Narcissism (grandiosity, entitlement), Machiavellianism (manipulation, cynicism), and Psychopathy (callousness, impulsivity). Present to varying degrees in the general population.

Five Factor Model (FFM)

The scientific framework behind the Big Five personality test. Developed through decades of factor analysis, identifying five broad dimensions that account for most of the variance in human personality.

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