Psychological traits are commonly inferred from covariation in sets of
behavioral measures that otherwise appear to have little in common. E
motionality in mice is such a trait, defined here by covariation in ac
tivity and defecation in a novel environment and emergence into the op
en arms of an elevated plus maze. Behavioral and quantitative trait an
alyses were conducted on four measures obtained from 879 mice from an
F-2 intercross. Three loci, on murine chromosomes 1, 12, and 15, were
mapped that influence emotionality. This trait, inferred from studies
of strain, sex, and individual differences in rodents, may be related
to human susceptibility to anxiety or neuroticism.