Psyc Personality, Chapter 4

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Questions and Answers

What effect does unraveling chromatin have on gene expression?

Completely silences genes

Turns genes on (correct)

Has no effect on gene expression

Turns genes off

Which brain structure is particularly associated with high agreeableness?

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Frontal Lobe (correct)

Amygdala

Ventral Striatum

How can a healthy maternal diet affect the Agouti gene in offspring?

Activates the gene for obesity

Causes immediate gene mutation

Has no impact on gene expression

Deactivates the gene for obesity (correct)

What is the role of the amygdala in personality traits according to the content?

Detecting discrepancies and responses to rewards (D) Signup and view all the answers

What lifestyle choices can positively affect epigenetic markers for future generations?

Diet and stress reduction (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is linked to both low conscientiousness and high openness?

Dopamine (A) Signup and view all the answers

What connects low conscientiousness with activity in the brain?

Increased activity in the ventral striatum (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do genes that produce more dopamine influence behavior?

Promote risk-taking behaviors (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the association between openness to experience and the right posterior middle temporal gyrus?

Thicker cortex is linked to greater openness (A) Signup and view all the answers

What potential benefit does reversing epigenetic changes have for treating diseases?

It could alter gene expression and treat diseases like cancer (D) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of personality differences is generally attributed to environmental factors according to twin studies?

50% (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which personality trait is significantly influenced by shared environmental factors?

Honesty-Humility (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do gene-environment interactions affect personality traits?

They combine to influence traits. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the heritability estimate for Openness in the Big Five Personality Traits?

About 61% (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role do epigenetic marks play in gene expression?

They activate certain genes based on environmental factors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the non-shared environment influence personality traits such as Neuroticism?

By shaping perceptions of the family environment. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized in the HEXACO model regarding the genetic influence on personality traits?

Certain traits have distinct levels of genetic influence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which trait within the Big Five has approximately 41% genetic influence?

Neuroticism (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of personality traits, what does the term 'phenotype' refer to?

Observable traits influenced by both genes and environment. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the alteration of genetic expression as per the study of epigenetics?

External environmental factors such as stress and diet. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What can be concluded about serotonin levels and their effects on impulsivity?

Higher serotonin levels lower impulsivity. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which personality characteristic is more likely found in morning people?

Higher conscientiousness. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What changes are observed in personality type with age?

Young adults are more likely to be evening people. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does evolution influence human psychology according to the content?

Desires and preferences originate from hunter-gatherer history. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a challenge to evolutionary explanations of personality?

Cultural influences shape personality in significant ways. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a universal human motive mentioned in the context?

The need to belong. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about social pain is accurate?

Acetaminophen can alleviate emotional pain similar to physical pain. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What might indicate increased hostility according to the need to belong?

Experiencing chronic isolation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which claim about neurotransmitter levels in the brain is true?

Neurotransmitter levels vary significantly across brain regions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What can be an explanation for certain traits persisting in humans over generations?

Traits have persisted due to aiding survival and reproduction. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nature vs. Nurture

Genetics (nature) is only a small part of personality development.
Nurture (environment) impacts personality after birth.
Shared environment factors are common to individuals in the same family.
Non-shared experiences differentiate individuals.
Biology influences personality beyond genetics.

Heritability of Personality

Monozygotic (identical) twins are ideal for studying genetic influence.
Heritability estimates (50%) show how much genetic factors affect personality differences within a group, not individuals.

Heritability Estimates - Big Five Personality Traits

Neuroticism: 41% genetic influence.
Openness: 61% genetic influence.
Non-shared environmental effects range from 39% to 59%.
HEXACO Model shows significant genetic influence on openness (63%) and honesty-humility (46%).
Honesty-humility is most impacted by shared environment (37%).

Gene-Environment Interactions

Genes and environment work interactively.
Gene expression is influenced by environmental factors.
Epigenetics study how external factors modify gene expression (e.g., stress, diet).
Example: Child's difficulty being soothed creates a stressful environment which affects both caregiver and child.
Stress and childhood trauma can alter genetic expression, influencing personality traits.
Observable traits (phenotype) are shaped by both genes and environment.

Epigenetics

Epigenetic marks (chemical modifications on chromatin) turn genes on or off.
Example: Unravelling chromatin activates genes and ravelling deactivates genes.

Brain Structures and Personality

Frontal lobe associated with agreeableness.
Involved in decision-making and social information processing.
Amygdala plays role in discrepancy detection; affects neuroticism and extraversion.
Ventral striatum linked to reward, motivation, and habitual behaviors.

Biology of Personality: Neurotransmitters

Dopamine linked to conscientiousness and openness.
Higher dopamine levels associated with risk-taking behaviors.
Parkinson's disease involves dopamine therapy.
Openness to experience linked to higher dopamine, but stress can affect this.
Higher serotonin levels correlate with lower impulsivity.

The Biology of Personality: Circadian Rhythm

Morning people tend to be higher in conscientiousness and agreeableness (more introverted).
Evening people tend to be higher in extraversion, neuroticism, and openness (outgoing).
Age and life circumstances influence circadian rhythms.

Evolution and Personality

Evolution shapes human psychology.
Humans evolve in response to environments (e.g., hunter-gatherer societies).
Survival and reproduction are key evolutionary drivers.
Certain traits have persisted because they aided early human survival.
Issues with evolutionary explanations include ignoring cultural influence and justifying violence/aggression.
Belonging is a universal human need and social pain is linked to physical pain.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the nature vs. nurture debate in personality development. This quiz covers genetic influences, environmental impacts, and heritability estimates of the Big Five personality traits. Understand how genes and environment interact to shape personality.