3 Genetics and Physiology

Question 1

What was the role of the Dalai Lama in affective neuroscience?

Answer 1

Supported meditation research showing left-brain activation (Affective Neuroscience)

Question 2

How does cardiac reactivity relate to personality?

Answer 2

Linked to Type A personality and risk of heart disease

Question 3

What was the main finding in the Geen study (1984)?

Answer 3

Introverts/extraverts perform best at self-chosen stimulation levels

Question 4

What was unique about Patient K.C.?

Answer 4

Severe memory loss; personality became subdued

Question 5

What is the function of monoamine oxidase (MAO)?

Answer 5

Low MAO = High sensation seeking

Question 6

What is Zuckerman’s theory of sensation seeking based on?

Answer 6

Sensation seeking linked to low MAO

Question 7

What is behavioural inhibition system (BIS) sensitivity associated with?

Answer 7

Anxiety; punishment sensitivity

Question 8

What is associated with in Cloninger’s model?

Answer 8

Reward dependence.

Question 9

What is the main tool used in brain imaging studies of personality?

Answer 9

fMRI – measures brain activity during cognitive or emotional tasks.

Question 10

What neurotransmitter is most strongly linked to pleasure and approach behaviour?

Answer 10

Dopamine

Question 11

How is extraversion linked to brain structure according to fMRI studies?

Answer 11

Associated with increased volume of medial orbitofrontal cortex, linked to reward processing.

Question 12

How is impulsivity explained in Gray’s theory?

Answer 12

Linked to a highly sensitive BAS and poor punishment learning.

Question 13

What hormone is assessed in saliva and linked to stress?

Answer 13

Cortisol.

Question 14

How does reward and punishment sensitivity predict learning performance?

Answer 14

High BAS improves performance under reward; high BIS improves under punishment.

Question 15

How does cortisol relate to shy children?

Answer 15

Stress hormone; higher in shy children

Question 16

What is the digit ratio (2D:4D) thought to indicate?

Answer 16

Low ratio = High prenatal testosterone and risk-taking

Question 17

What does high frontal brain asymmetry suggest about emotion?

Answer 17

Greater left activity = positive affect; greater right = negative affect.

Question 18

How does Jeffrey Gray’s Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory explain personality differences?

Answer 18

Through the Behavioural Activation System (BAS) for rewards and the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) for punishment.

Question 19

How does brain injury affect personality?

Answer 19

Can impair impulse control and emotional regulation (e.g., Phineas Gage).

Question 20

How is anxiety explained in Gray’s theory?

Answer 20

Linked to a highly sensitive BIS and greater sensitivity to punishment.

Question 21

What kind of stimuli can evoke electrodermal activity?

Answer 21

Sudden noises, emotional images, mental effort, and stress.

Question 22

How does serotonin influence personality traits?

Answer 22

Low serotonin is linked to anxiety and depression; SSRIs increase serotonin and reduce negative affect.

Question 23

What does EEG measure and how is it used in personality research?

Answer 23

Measures brain wave activity

Question 24

What physiological measure assesses sympathetic nervous system activity by skin conductance?

Answer 24

Electrodermal activity.

Question 25

What personality trait is most associated with low levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO)?

Answer 25

Low MAO = High sensation seeking

Question 26

What type of people adjust better to late shifts?

Answer 26

Evening types; more flexible to altered circadian patterns.

Question 27

What is evoked potential technique?

Answer 27

EEG response to specific stimuli to assess brain responsiveness.

Question 28

What is the main criticism of brain size correlates with personality?

Answer 28

Brain size does not necessarily predict function; structural studies may oversimplify.

Question 29

What do temporal isolation studies reveal about circadian rhythms?

Answer 29

People have biological rhythms of varying lengths (not always 24 hours).

Question 30

What task demonstrated introverts’ heightened physiological reactivity?

Answer 30

Lemon juice test: introverts salivate more, showing stronger reactivity.

Question 31

How does personality neuroscience relate to the Big Five?

Answer 31

Brain structure and activity patterns correlate with traits like extraversion and neuroticism.

Question 32

What are the four subtraits in Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking Scale?

Answer 32

Thrill, Experience, Disinhibition, Boredom

Question 33

How does the BIS function in Gray’s theory?

Answer 33

Anxiety; punishment sensitivity

Question 34

How does the BAS function in Gray’s theory?

Answer 34

Impulsivity; reward sensitivity

Question 35

What is the role of the Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS) in Eysenck’s theory?

Answer 35

Controls cortical arousal

Question 36

What does the ‘morningness–eveningness’ scale assess?

Answer 36

Chronotype preference (biological rhythm)

Question 37

Which neurotransmitter is involved in the fight-or-flight response?

Answer 37

Norepinephrine.

Question 38

Describe the ‘optimal level of arousal’ theory by Hebb.

Answer 38

Moderate arousal improves performance

Question 39

How does dopamine affect reward-seeking?

Answer 39

Linked to pleasure and reward