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.
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What was Eysenck's original physiological explanation of the differences between the brains of extraverted and introverted people?
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What is the current explanation of the physiological difference between extraverts and introverts?
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Spell out and describe what BAS and BIS observations stand for.
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What were the three lines of evidence presented by Eysenck to support the idea of the biological basis of personality?
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Define temperament.
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List and define the Buss and Plomin model of temperament.
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List and define gender-based differences related to temperament.
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Describe the three temperaments reported by Caspi et al. in their longitudinal study of children's temperament.
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Describe how temperamental dispositions in childhood set the direction for adult personality.
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Describe how and when inhibited children experience anxiety.
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What are the physiological factors that distinguish the inhibited from non-inhibited children?
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Describe the connection of evolutionary personality psychology and natural selection.
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How is anxiety a universal human phenomenon and what fear does it reflect?
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Some children's temperaments may not be compatible with the formal requirements of the classroom. What are some reasons for this?
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The goodness of fit model: what is it and why is it important?
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Cerebral asymmetry: historically speaking, what emotions are processed in the left and right hemispheres?
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What is the connection for depression and cerebral asymmetry?
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Cerebral asymmetry: what is the current view in relation to emotion?
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What are the strengths and criticisms of the biological approach?
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What is meant by 'human characteristics are polygenic'?
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The nature vs nurture: what is the relative contribution of genetic vs environmental factors in determining human traits?
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Describe how twin studies separate environmental from genetic influences and note any issues and assumptions related.
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What are the results of studies of the heritability of extraversion?
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Describe extraversion, preferred arousal level, and the library study.
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Who is happier - extraverts or introverts? Why?
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Describe evolutionary psychology and mate selection: what do men and women look for in a potential mate?
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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.