INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SOURCES OF DESTABILIZATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF STIMULATION CONTROL

Drawing on Transactional Model of Temperament proposed by Eliasz, the present paper addresses the issue of temporal and transsituational changes in temperament and their consequences for behavior and well-being. Temporal changes relate to biological bases of temperament that determines the average level of behavior dynamics. Initially, temporal changes are instrumental in coping with aversive stimulation: sensitization occurs under weak stimulation, whereas desensitization occurs under strong stimulation. Both sensitization and desensitization are considered as active regulatory mechanisms. However, when these two regulatory mechanisms are no longer sufficient, they would be replaced by passive regulation of stimulation. When not seconded by changes on other levels of the system for stimulation control, passive changes in temperament become destructive. Transsituational changes of temperament involve deviations form the individual average level of behavior dynamics and reflect the impact of environment on temperament. With repetitive occurrences of changes within the environment these deviations become stabilized and their profile may be compared to the notion of 'behavioral signature of the individual' introduced by Shoda. Biological foundations of temperament characterize people from the earliest stages of their life and have an impact on the development of other mechanisms of stimulation control. Regulatory mechanisms appearing later in life are shaped by social environment and often are at variance with individual capacity determined by temperament. They constitute internal 'sore points' and become a permanent source of destabilization within the system of stimulation control.