Psychology Chapter on Behaviorism and Individual Differences

Questions and Answers

Differences in individuals' brain activity, hormone levels, and heart-rate responsiveness do not translate into differences in behavior.

False

What did behaviorism say about the source of individual differences in personality?

Behaviorism says that the source of individual differences in personality is biological differences.

List Eysenck's description of the structure (hierarchy) of personality.

Specific response level - consists of specific behaviors. 2. Habitual response level - shows the behavior of the person and how much they participate in activities. 3. Trait level - holds certain traits that are part of larger dimensions of personality (supertraits). 4. Supertrait level - includes extraversion-introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.

List and define Eysenck's three supertraits.

<ol> <li>Extraversion: outgoing, impulsive, and uninhibited. 2. Neuroticism: tendency to respond emotionally. 3. Psychoticism: egocentric, aggressive, and lacking in empathy.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What was Eysenck's original physiological explanation of the differences between the brains of extraverted and introverted people?

Eysenck originally proposed that extraverts have lower levels of cerebral cortex arousal than introverts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the current explanation of the physiological difference between extraverts and introverts?

Introverts are more sensitive to stimulation and are more quickly and strongly aroused when exposed to it. Signup and view all the answers

Spell out and describe what BAS and BIS observations stand for.

BAS stands for Behavioral Approach System, and BIS stands for Behavioral Inhibition System. Signup and view all the answers

What were the three lines of evidence presented by Eysenck to support the idea of the biological basis of personality?

<ol> <li>Consistency of extraversion-introversion scores. 2. Common dimensions found across cultures. 3. Genetic influence in determining personality aspects.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Define temperament.

Temperaments are general behavioral dispositions that could develop into different personality traits depending on experiences. Signup and view all the answers

List and define the Buss and Plomin model of temperament.

The model identifies three dimensions: emotionality (intensity of emotional reactions), activity (general energy level), and sociability (tendency to interact with others). Signup and view all the answers

List and define gender-based differences related to temperament.

Girls are more likely to exhibit effortful control temperament, while boys are identified with a surgency temperament. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the three temperaments reported by Caspi et al. in their longitudinal study of children's temperament.

<ol> <li>Well-adjusted children: self-control and confidence. 2. Undercontrolled children: impulsive and restless. 3. Inhibited children: fearful and uneasy around strangers.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Describe how temperamental dispositions in childhood set the direction for adult personality.

Childhood temperament influences experiences, expectations, and the type of environments children inhabit, shaping adult personality. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how and when inhibited children experience anxiety.

Inhibited children are vulnerable to anxiety, especially concerning novelty, almost from the moment of birth. Signup and view all the answers

What are the physiological factors that distinguish the inhibited from non-inhibited children?

They differ in body build, allergy susceptibility, and brain stem responses to stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the connection of evolutionary personality psychology and natural selection.

Natural selection explains how physical features evolve to aid survival and reproduction, influencing personality traits. Signup and view all the answers

How is anxiety a universal human phenomenon and what fear does it reflect?

Anxiety, reflecting fear of social rejection, is universal as social inclusion is crucial to survival. Signup and view all the answers

Some children's temperaments may not be compatible with the formal requirements of the classroom. What are some reasons for this?

Children who are attentive, adaptable, and persistent tend to do better in school compared to those who struggle with attention and adaptability. Signup and view all the answers

The goodness of fit model: what is it and why is it important?

The model explains a child's school success as a function of the match between their temperament and the learning environment. Signup and view all the answers

Cerebral asymmetry: historically speaking, what emotions are processed in the left and right hemispheres?

The left hemisphere is associated with positive moods, while the right hemisphere is linked to negative moods. Signup and view all the answers

What is the connection for depression and cerebral asymmetry?

Higher right hemisphere activity is linked to sadness; depressed individuals show more activation in this area. Signup and view all the answers

Cerebral asymmetry: what is the current view in relation to emotion?

Cerebral asymmetry can predict susceptibility to certain disorders based on long-term emotional patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What are the strengths and criticisms of the biological approach?

Strengths include bridging personality study and biology; criticisms focus on limitations in testing and comparing theories. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'human characteristics are polygenic'?

It means many human traits result from multiple genes or a combination of genes. Signup and view all the answers

The nature vs nurture: what is the relative contribution of genetic vs environmental factors in determining human traits?

Genetic factors contribute significantly, but environmental influences shape the expression of these traits. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how twin studies separate environmental from genetic influences and note any issues and assumptions related.

Twin studies compare similarities between MZ and DZ twins to infer genetic influences, but assumptions about environment similarity can lead to complications. Signup and view all the answers

What are the results of studies of the heritability of extraversion?

Studies consistently find a genetic component in extraversion, with MZ twins showing closer similarities than DZ twins. Signup and view all the answers

Describe extraversion, preferred arousal level, and the library study.

Extraverts prefer noisy, social environments for studying while introverts prefer quiet spaces. Signup and view all the answers

Who is happier - extraverts or introverts? Why?

Extraverts are generally happier due to more social interactions and stronger social support. Signup and view all the answers

Describe evolutionary psychology and mate selection: what do men and women look for in a potential mate?

Women prefer older, financially secure partners, while men prefer younger, physically attractive partners. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Brain Activity and Behavior

Individual differences in brain activity, hormones, and heart-rate responsiveness lead to distinct behavioral differences.

Behaviorism and Personality

Behaviorism attributes individual differences in personality to biological variations.

Eysenck's Personality Structure

Bottom to top hierarchy:
- Specific response level: specific behaviors exhibited by individuals
- Habitual response level: reflects behavior patterns and activity engagement
- Trait level: includes traits within broader personality dimensions (supertraits)
- Supertrait level: encompasses major traits like extraversion-introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.

Eysenck's Supertraits

Extraversion: characterized by outgoing, impulsive behaviors and social participation.
Introversion: features quiet, introspective individuals who prefer solitude or close friends.
Neuroticism: indicates emotional instability, with high scorers being more emotionally reactive.
Psychoticism: high scorers are egocentric, aggressive, and lack empathy.

Eysenck's Physiological Explanations

Initially suggested extraverts have lower cortical arousal during rest compared to introverts, though studies did not confirm this.
Current understanding indicates introverts are more sensitive and reactive to external stimulation.

BAS and BIS

BAS (Behavioral Approach System): Individuals with active BAS seek pleasurable goals and enjoy anticipating rewards.
BIS (Behavioral Inhibition System): Individuals with active BIS are cautious, watching for potential dangers and retreating from threats.

Biological Basis of Personality Evidence

Consistency in extraversion-introversion scores across studies.
Cross-cultural research supports three personality dimensions globally.
Genetics contribute significantly to personality, with about two-thirds of variance attributed to biological factors.

Temperament Definition

Temperaments are innate behavioral tendencies, forming the foundation for developing personality traits.

Buss and Plomin Model of Temperament

Identifies three dimensions:
- Emotionality: intensity of emotional responses.
- Activity: overall energy levels.
- Sociability: tendency to engage socially with others.

Gender Differences in Temperament

Girls often exhibit effortful control, focusing attention and regulating impulses.
Boys tend to display surgency, characterized by high activity and sociability.

Childhood Temperament Study Findings

Three temperamental types identified:
- Well-adjusted: self-controlled and confident.
- Undercontrolled: impulsive and restless.
- Inhibited: fearful and reluctant to engage with new stimuli.

Influence of Childhood Temperament on Adult Personality

Children's temperamental characteristics shape adult personalities and interactions with their environments, influencing their social skills and responses.

Inhibited Children and Anxiety

Inhibited children are predisposed to anxiety, especially in novel situations, starting from birth.

Physiological Distinctions in Children

Inhibited vs. uninhibited children show differences in body structure, allergies, and brain responses to stimuli, particularly with amygdala activation.

Evolutionary Personality Psychology

Personality traits can be understood in the context of natural selection, as they facilitate survival and reproduction in evolving species.

Anxiety as a Universal Phenomenon

Anxiety relates to a fundamental fear of social rejection, crucial for human survival and inclusion.

Compatibility of Temperaments with Classroom Environment

Children with adaptable temperaments succeed more academically, while those with attention issues may struggle to keep up in traditional learning settings.

Goodness of Fit Model

The model emphasizes the importance of aligning a child's temperament with the learning environment for better academic performance.

Cerebral Asymmetry in Emotion

Left hemisphere: associated with positive emotions; right hemisphere: linked to negative emotions.

Depression and Cerebral Asymmetry

Increased activity in the right hemisphere correlates with feelings of sadness and is associated with depression.

Current Perspectives on Cerebral Asymmetry

EEG patterns are used to forecast potential emotional disorders by analyzing cerebral asymmetry.

Biological Approach Strengths and Criticisms

Strengths: bridges psychology and biology, empirical support for hypotheses.
Criticisms: challenges in testing evolutionary theories and the clarity of temperament definitions across studies.

Polygenic Human Characteristics

Many human traits are influenced by multiple genes or interactions between genes.

Nature vs. Nurture in Personality Development

Genetic predispositions interact with environmental factors to shape personality traits, with twin studies revealing significant heritability.

Twin Studies: Environmental vs. Genetic Influences

Biological families show more personality resemblance than adopted families. Assumptions about twin environments can complicate findings.

Heritability of Extraversion

Evidence supports a genetic basis for extraversion, with identical twins showing higher similarity in personality traits than fraternal twins.

Extraversion, Arousal Preferences, and Study Behavior

Extraverts prefer more stimulating environments, like noisier library areas for studying, while introverts favor quieter spaces.

Happiness in Extraverts vs. Introverts

Extraverts report higher happiness levels due to more social interactions, providing greater emotional support and resilience against stress.

Evolutionary Psychology and Mate Selection

Women typically seek older, financially stable partners, while men prefer younger, physically attractive mates. These preferences reflect survival strategies and reproductive success.

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Description

Explore how differences in brain activity, hormone levels, and heart-rate responsiveness influence behavior according to behaviorism. This quiz also evaluates the sources of individual differences in personality from a behavioral perspective.