Decoding of Human Behaviour and Personality

Introduction

Human behaviour and personality or constitutional typology, which includes body-constitution (Sharirik Prakriti), psychological constitution (Mansik Prakriti) and role of doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). ¹ It has a diverse application in the field of medicine. Being an important component of evidence-based decision-making in research and clinical settings, behaviour and personality examination method require serious concern.^1–4 Conventional methods used for this examination in medical research and clinical practice have limitations, making them questionable.^{1, 3} Behaviour and personality are linked to specific psychosomatic, genetic and metabolic signatures, including distinct neurophysiological and brain activity patterns. ⁵ These signatures represent how different constitutions process information, manage emotions and react to stimuli. ⁵ Research indicates that different prakriti types exhibit distinct cognitive and affective patterns that correlate with neural activity that include vata-type is associated with high-speed, flexible, but sometimes unstable neuronal firing, often linked to a ‘fight-or-flight’ tendency, quick grasping but poor retention; pitta-type is associated with high activity in areas related to focused attention, logic, decisive action and moderate grasping and retention; kapha-type is associated with slower, steadier neuronal processing, slow grasping but good retention (Tables 1 and 2).^5–11

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Table 1.

Validated Prakriti Brain Types. ¹⁵

Brain System	Vata Brain Type	Pitta Brain Type	Kapha Brain Type
Prefrontal executive circuits	Easily overstimulated Acts quickly Learns quickly and forgets quickly Likes to multi-task	Strong reaction to challenges Purposeful learning Tenacious Goal oriented	Methodical thinking and action Learns slowly with high level of retention Prefers routine
Reticular activating system	Is alert but inconsistent Can lead to nervousness Hard to fall asleep and stay asleep	Strong dynamic responses to every situation Goal oriented behaviour Can see involved behaviour	Needs stimulation to get going Not easily provoked Easy going Easily falls asleep and stays asleep
Autonomic nervous system	The fight-or-flight response is frequently and easily triggered Limbs are generally cold and have poor circulation Sensitive to pain and cold	The fight-or-flight response turns on strongly to reach a goal, and then turns off Does not like heat Good peripheral circulation	The fight-or-flight response is not easily evoked High parasympathetic response Sensitive to cold and dampness
Enteric nervous system	Irregular appetite Irregular bowel movements and frequent gas	Always hungry Irritable if miss a meal Loose and frequent bowels	Can easily miss a meal Regular daily bowel movements
Limbic system	Moods change quickly Fear and phobias can occur when in excess	Strong emotions Competitive and dynamic nature Irritable and angry when in excess	Calm and happy Rarely gets angry Shy and depressed when in excess
Hypothalamic control	Irregular appetite Bursts in activity Frequent snacking and drinking	Always hungry Strong response Higher metabolism Prefers cool foods and water	Can easily miss a meal Low and steady response Lower metabolism Tendency to gain weight

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Table 2.

Validated Final Version of Brief-Prakriti Inventory 21: Item-wise Response Options. ⁶

BPI Item	Option 1: Vata	Option 2: Pitta	Option 3: Kapha
(1) Skin texture	My skin is generally dry, or rough, especially in areas like the forearm, elbows and knuckles. Lotions and oils absorb very quickly and the skin dries up.	My skin is generally soft and supple, warm to the touch. I tend to develop pigmentation, dark spots, pimples or moles easily.	My skin feels oily and clear. Lotions and oils take a while to absorb.
(2) Hair	My hair tends to be dry, brittle, rough and may have split ends.	I have medium-density hair that’s naturally straight to slightly wavy. It can be prone to premature greying and thinning.	My hair is dense and smooth. It may be straight, wavy or curly. My scalp tends to be oily.
(3) Body movements	I often move around a lot in my seat, play with my hands or feet when seated, change my position frequently, and find it hard to sit still for long periods.	I am naturally coordinated and agile.	I generally prefer a calm and slow pace in my daily activities.
(4) Physical endurance	I tend to have bursts of energy but tire easily. I may find it challenging to sustain physical activity for long periods.	I have a strong drive and enjoy intense physical activity. I tend to be competitive and push myself to my limits.	I have good stamina and can sustain moderate physical activity for extended periods. I enjoy activities like long walks, but prefer a more relaxed and rhythmic pace.
(5) Resistance to infections	When I get sick, my symptoms can fluctuate quickly. I may feel quite unwell at one point, but then start to feel better soon after.	When I get sick, I often have a strong reaction, like a high fever or inflammation. I usually recover quickly once the illness passes.	I generally do not get sick very often. But when I do, it takes me a while to fully recover, and I might have a lot of congestion or mucus.
(6) Hunger/appetite	My hunger fluctuates; it varies from meal to meal. I’m sometimes very hungry and sometimes not hungry at all.	I usually have a strong appetite. I get irritable if I have to wait too long to eat.	I have a good appetite and I can easily skip a meal without feeling overly hungry.
(7) Amount of food consumed in a meal	I might eat a large amount in one meal and very little in the next. I often prefer smaller portions and feel full quickly.	I have a strong digestive capacity, my food digests fast and I can handle larger quantities of food.	I have a good digestive capacity, my digestive system processes food at a slow and comfortable pace.
(8) Thirst	My thirst is a bit unpredictable. I can go for quite a while without feeling thirsty, then suddenly I feel dry and thirsty. I tend to drink in spurts and generally prefer warm drinks.	I often feel thirsty and prefer cool drinks. I can get uncomfortable if I do not drink regularly.	I generally do not feel very thirsty and can go long periods without drinking. I prefer warm drinks.
(9) Body sweat	I sweat less, and even during exercise, I do not sweat much. My sweat is generally odourless.	I sweat during exercise. My sweat sometimes has a more noticeable odour.	I do not sweat much, and when I do, it usually occurs during intense exercise. My sweat is generally odourless.
(10) Memory	I grasp new information quickly but tend to forget it easily. My mind jumps between ideas, and I may struggle to recall things from the distant past.	I grasp new information quickly, and I have a strong memory for details. However, I might struggle to remember things if I am feeling emotional. I can be prone to holding onto past hurts.	I learn and retain information slowly but thoroughly. Once I understand something, I tend to remember it for a long time. I tend to hold onto memories, both positive and negative.
(11) Sleep	I generally tend to have a light, restless sleep and wake up easily. My mind often races at night, making it hard to quiet down.	I generally fall asleep easily and have sound sleep. But I can also easily forego sleep if I am engrossed in a project.	I generally tend to sleep deeply and for long periods. It is hard for me to give up sleep unless absolutely necessary. I sometimes wake up with a stuffy nose.
(12) Temperature sensitivity	I prefer warm environments. I feel okay in moderately hot, humid weather but get uncomfortable in cold temperatures and often need extra layers to stay warm in cold climates.	I prefer cooler environments over warmth and dislike excessive heat or humidity.	I prefer warmth slightly more over cooler environments and can tolerate cold fairly well. I dislike excessive heat or humidity.
(13) Initiative to start any work	I have bursts of enthusiasm for new projects, but my motivation can fluctuate, and I might lose interest if things get challenging or monotonous. I enjoy starting new things and thrive on variety. However, I can get bored easily and may struggle to complete tasks that require sustained effort.	I am highly driven and goal oriented. I take initiative readily and enjoy taking charge. I can be competitive and focused on results. I can get frustrated if things do not progress as expected.	I have a slow and steady approach to work. I need time to gather momentum, but once I start, I am persistent and dislike being rushed.
(14) How easily do you get emotionally aroused?	My emotions tend to fluctuate, and I get emotionally aroused easily. I am sensitive to the emotions of others and my surroundings.	I have strong and intense emotions. I can be passionate and driven, but also prone to anger or frustration when things do not go my way. I might express my emotions openly and directly.	I tend to have calm and stable emotions. I am generally peaceful, content and forgiving. I might not express my emotions openly, but I can hold onto them for a long time.
(15) Which of the following best describes your typical speech patterns?	I tend to speak quickly and jump between ideas. I can be a lively and engaging speaker, but also get distracted easily. I am a quick listener, but my mind can wander, and I might miss details.	I speak clearly and directly, with a sharp and focused tone. I can be persuasive and articulate. I am an attentive listener, but I might get impatient or interrupt when I have something to say.	I tend to speak slowly and calmly, with a soothing tone. I am a good listener and choose my words carefully.
(16) How do you feel about competitive situations?	Dislike and find them stressful	Enjoy competing and perform well under pressure, but find it mentally and physically exhausting	Handle competitive stress with ease and remain calm under pressure.
(17) Bowel movements	My bowel movements tend to be irregular. I often experience constipation, gas, or bloating. My stools are often hard, dry, or small.	My bowel movements are usually regular and frequent. I occasionally have loose stools or a tendency towards diarrhoea if I eat spicy or oily foods.	My bowel movements are generally slow and easy. I might experience stools that are heavy and sticky. My stools are often well-formed.
(18) Tendency to lose weight	I tend to lose weight easily, even when I am not trying to. This can happen if I overexert myself, like pushing myself too hard and taking on too many tasks at once.	I find it relatively easy to lose weight when I actively focus on diet and exercise.	I need to put in consistent effort to lose weight. It might take me longer to see results compared to others.
(19) How would you describe your mental state?	Restless and easily distracted, with a lot of mental activity and energy	Focused and sharp, but can be easily agitated	Relaxed and unhurried, without feeling rushed or pressured.
(20) How would you describe your emotional temperament?	Anxious, sensitive and unpredictable	Quick to anger, easily agitated, Intense and passionate	Calm, slow to anger but find it difficult to detach emotionally from situations or people
(21) Taste preference	I enjoy a variety of tastes including sweet, sour and salty flavours. I like foods with spices and might dislike bitter tastes. I tend to prefer hot, salty or sour drinks.	I enjoy strong, intense flavours and often crave sour, salty and spicy tastes. I might like bitter tastes and dislike too sweet or oily foods. I tend to prefer cool or refreshing drinks.	I enjoy sweet, salty, and calorie-rich tastes that provide long-lasting energy and satisfaction. I might dislike too spicy or bitter flavours. I tend to prefer warm and sweet drinks.

On the other hand, numerous studies have been conducted to assess personality using different questionnaires to assess human behaviour subjectively.^{5, 8, 12, 13} The studies have also shown that brain mapping and neural decoding are advanced fields in neuroscience that use modern technology to understand brain function without surgery, including functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, near-infrared spectroscopy and positron emission tomography, in association with personality correlation. ¹⁴ There is currently no scientific evidence to quantify the human prakriti-tri-doshas objectively in an integrated approach to obtain the human behaviour signatures non-invasively in order to decode the neural activity among Indian healthcare professionals.^{6, 10} The decoding of human behaviour non-invasively will help in studying cognitive neuroscience functions, and it is related to specific disease susceptibilities (e.g., Kapha in cardiovascular disease) and metabolic responses among healthcare professionals.

Methods

Statistical Analysis

The data were analysed using SPSS software Version 29.0 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA, October 2020). The normality of the data was analysed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The data are presented as the mean (standard deviation) for parametric variables and interquartile range for non-parametric variables. The gender differences for different prakriti tri-doshas were analysed using the Mann–Whitney test for non-parametric variables. The statistical differences between different types of prakriti tri-doshas were analysed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The sub-domains features of tri-doshic prakriti profile were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis H test. Stacked-bar graphs were used to illustrate the relative percentage distribution of the subdomains. Sociodemographic variables were summarised as frequency and percentages. The p-value < 0.05 was considered statistical significance.

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Table 3.

Personality (Prakriti-tri-doshas) Analysis Along with Gender Differences Among Healthcare Professionals.

Tri-doshas	Vata	Pitta	Kapha	p1 Value
Prakriti doshas	31.70 ± 16.30	33.71 ± 11.37	34.57 ± 17.27	.69
Gender
Female	33.30 (0.00–66.70)	28.60 (14.30–62.00)	33.30 (9.50–71.50)	.17
Male	28.60 (9.50–71.40)	33.30 (9.50–52.40)	33.30 (0.00–57.20)	.62
p2 value	.82	.33	.56	–

Note: Data are presented in mean (Std) for parametric variables; median (interquartile range) for non-parametric variables. p₁ Value for prakriti tri-doshas differences were assessed using one-way ANOVA and gender difference among tri-doshas using the Kruskal–Wallis H test. p₂ Value for between gender among prakriti tri-doshas using Mann–Whitney test for non-parametric variables.

Results

The age range of 38 (n = 38) healthcare professionals was 32.29 ± 11.53 years [female, n = 21; age, 26.0 (21.0–57) years; male, n = 17; age, 32.0 (18.0–52.0) years]. The education levels of the participants include undergraduate MBBS [n = 5; 13.15%] and postgraduate MD and above [n = 20; 86.84%]. The present study found that the percentage of all tri-doshas, which include vata, 31.70% ± 16.30%; pitta, 33.71% ± 11.37%; and kapha, 34.57% ± 17.37%, among the participants was not statistically significant (p = .86) and indicates a nearly equal distribution of the prakriti tri-doshic constitution (prakriti) (Table 3 and Figure 1).

OPEN IN VIEWER Figure 1.

Total Prakriti-tri-doshas Relative Frequency (%) Among All the Healthcare Professionals.

Further, in-depth analysis, for the sub-domains analysis that include physical, physiological and psychological features, the authors observed the variation in the physical features—for skin and hair type, pitta (48%) was found to be dominant; for body movement, vata (47%) was found to be dominant; for physical endurance and sweat, kapha (49%) was found to be dominant (Figure 2a–2e). For physiological and psychological features, all the sub-domains (relative percentage, %) were found to be balanced among healthcare practitioners (Figure 3a and 3b).

OPEN IN VIEWER Figure 2.

Prakriti-sub-physical Features (a–e) of Tri-doshas Relative Frequency (%) Among All the Healthcare Participants.

OPEN IN VIEWER Figure 3.

Prakriti-sub-physiological (a) and Psychological (b) Features of Tri-doshas Cumulative Frequency (%) Among All the Healthcare Participants.

Further, the authors have correlated the above findings with the prakriti brain types (Tables 1 and 2). From the present findings, the balanced prakriti tri-doshas can now be correlated with the balanced psychosomatic regulations of brain and behavioural functions among healthcare professionals, as shown in Tables 1 and 2. The physical features are more variant because of the heterogeneity of human constitution, which is influenced by environmental, hereditary and lifestyle factors. Personality (prakriti) is not a static category; rather, it is characterised by continuous evolution and transformation.

Interestingly, the authors highlighted that the brain behavioural signatures involved in balanced prakriti tri-doshas among healthcare practitioners signify that there are balanced prakriti brain types that include prefrontal executive circuits, reticular activating system, autonomic nervous system, enteric nervous system, limbic system and hypothalamic control among healthcare participants (Table 2).

Discussion

The present pilot study is being conducted from India for the first time and has observed a predominance of balanced prakriti (tri-doshic constitution) among healthcare professionals. In Ayurvedic concept-based theory, balanced tri-doshas reflect harmony in physiological movement, metabolism and structural integrity, respectively. Such tri-doshic balance has traditionally been associated with optimal health, high stability and a strong, resilient mind–body constitution, concepts that may parallel emerging understandings of neuroplasticity and adaptive stress regulation.^{15, 9} The balanced prakriti requires a consistent mindful approach to diet and lifestyle practices that support equilibrium across all three doshas. ⁹ The present findings are in line with previous research studies suggesting that human prakriti significantly impacts positive health by dictating an individual’s physical, mental and emotional predispositions ⁷ and support evolving integrative frameworks linking Ayurvedic constitutional types with contemporary models of brain function and cognition.^{4, 8, 9, 11}

Further sub-features analysis showed the physical features of prakriti tri-doshas were found to be variant in terms of skin type, hair type, body movements, physical endurance and sweat pattern. This variation in physical features may be due to the heterogeneity of human constitution, which is influenced by environmental, hereditary and lifestyle factors, because human behaviour and personality (prakriti) are not to be considered in a static category and every participant has their different phenotype and genotype-representation. ⁹ The authors did not find any statistically significant gender differences for different doshas in understanding prakriti in detail, which may be due to the small sample size.

On the other hand, the authors have elaborated the integration of prakriti assessment with validated prakriti brain types framework ¹⁵ shown in Table 1. The predominance of balanced tri-doshas scores among healthcare professionals may signify an optimal prakriti-brain profile characterised by psychological resilience, adaptive capacity and cognitive clarity. ⁹ This observation may support an integrative framework of combined Ayurvedic-based theory with contemporary neuroscientific perspectives to better understand cognitive and behavioural health. Further, present findings will assist clinicians to know an individual’s prakriti profile as a complementary health assessment tool to understand behavioural status in day-to-day lives.^{6, 7, 16} Furthermore, education may contribute to increased awareness about lifestyle choices, including the type and intensity of physical movement, to align with Ayurvedic principles and maintain a healthy, balanced constitution. In the present study, all the healthcare professionals’ education levels were undergraduate, postgraduate and above and demonstrated generally calm and coordinated behavioural patterns in their daily activities.

Although the present study was conducted with conceptual analysis, it has a few limitations. First, the findings of this study, based on gender for different prakriti doshas, were not statistically significant due to the small data sets and need to be corroborated with larger data sets. Second, the present study did not evaluate the prakriti brain types for gender-based analysis due to the small sample size. In spite of these limitations, the present findings have provided technical indications among healthcare participants to be vigilant of their psychosomatic status; this will provide direction to undergo lifestyle amendment programmes. However, the present study results provide appreciable perceptions into the elaborate prakriti analysis, along with its prakriti brain types among healthcare professionals. Further, prakriti sub-domain analysis with respect to different gender- and education-based was not analysed in the present study and will be enclosed in a future research article.

Conclusion

The present study supports the feasibility of measurable prakriti assessment using PAI among healthcare professionals. This simple, cost-effective PAI provides a non-invasive objective evaluation of the constitutional profile, which may have possible utility in the future development of prakriti-based biomarkers for considerate individual health characteristics, behavioural tendencies and cognitive attributes.