30 Questions
What is the main problem for physiological theories of personality according to the text?
The challenge in studying individual differences in brain functioning
What role do genes play in influencing behavior according to the text?
Indirectly affect behavior through brain processes
How do indirect approaches study brain functioning in relation to personality?
By examining peripheral physiological measures
What does an increase in skin conductance (sweaty hands) typically reveal according to the text?
Biological differences in anxiety
What is necessary for genes to have an effect on behavior, as mentioned in the text?
Influence biological processes underlying information processing in the brain
Why is it difficult to study individual differences in the functioning of the brain for physiological theories of personality?
Especially when interested in stable dispositions
Which brain regions showed robust effects of erotic stimuli compared to neutral control stimuli in the meta-analysis?
Insula and amygdala
What did the authors find regarding gender differences in response to visual sexual stimuli?
There were no functional differences between men and women
In the study mentioned, which brain regions showed sex differences according to a different group of researchers?
Hypothalamus and cingulate cortex
What does the disagreement about sex differences in brain activation between studies highlight?
The complexity of individual variation in brain responses
What is a key consideration when interpreting brain data from fMRI studies?
Brain measures have to meet criteria of reliability and validity like other measures
What method is described as older and cheaper to measure brain activity compared to fMRI?
Electroencephalography (EEG)
What is the main conclusion regarding serotonin's involvement in mood regulation?
It affects both negative and positive mood states.
How do illegal drugs like amphetamines and cocaine affect dopamine levels according to the text?
They release dopamine into the synaptic cleft.
Which theory links dopamine to extraversion according to the text?
Dopamine is connected to extraversion.
What is the main reason for the difficulty in finding studies that use legal drugs to alter dopamine levels according to the text?
Ethical concerns surrounding using legal drugs in research.
What is the relationship between effective treatment of mood disorders and personality changes according to the text?
Mood disorders produce changes in personality.
What have some studies suggested about the reward centers of extraverts?
Extraverts have larger reward centers.
What was the initial simplistic idea about oxytocin?
People with higher oxytocin levels are more loving and affectionate.
What did subsequent studies reveal about the claim that oxytocin increases trust?
They refuted the claim.
What is necessary when considering findings in the oxytocin literature?
Being skeptical due to inconsistent replication of results.
Why has it been challenging to link individual differences in hormone levels to specific personality traits?
Because most research focuses on hormone level changes in response to situations.
Which aspect is highlighted as a challenge in biological research with humans?
The large sample sizes needed for conclusive evidence.
What is a common misconception regarding oxytocin found in the text?
Individuals with higher oxytocin levels are always more loving and affectionate.
What is the main concern with using dopamine agonists in treating acute psychosis?
They trigger psychotic episodes
Which type of drug is more commonly used to treat acute psychosis?
Dopamine antagonists
What did one study find about the effect of a low dose of haloperidol on behavior?
It lowered positive affect
Which biological correlate shows the clearest relationship with Neuroticism?
Resting frontal EEG asymmetry
What was a potential source of disappointment mentioned by the author related to studying biological correlates of personality traits?
Inconclusive results
What was the author's personal experience that led to potential projection of disappointment onto readers?
Reading many abstracts and articles without robust findings
Explore the effects of erotic stimuli on various brain regions such as insula, amygdala, and fusiform gyrus, as well as the absence of consistent gender differences in brain activation. Challenge common beliefs and previous findings through a meta-analysis.
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