The role of personality in dyadic interaction: A psychophysiological study

•Psychophysiological activity was recorded during performance review discussions.•Effects of personality on physiological activity were studied using dyadic analyses.•Similarity in Extraversion led to increased cheek and periocular muscle activities.•High conscientiousness led to more positive ratings of emotional valence.

Psychophysiological activity was recorded during development discussions of 44 manager-subordinate pairs to examine the effects of the Big Five personality traits Extraversion and Conscientiousness, and personality similarity during dyadic social interaction. Facial electromyography and frontal electroencephalography (EEG) asymmetry were collected continuously during the 30-min discussions. Different actor and partner effects and Actor × Partner interactions were observed. Matching levels of Extraversion led to higher periocular muscle activity, indicating positive valence emotional expressions. The results are discussed considering similarity attraction theories.