Ch. 8: Anatomy & Physiology of Personality

Question 1

Interneurons

Answer 1

short/no axons, regulate transmissions btw nerve cells

Question 2

3 main methods to study the brain

Answer 2

brain damage, brain stimulation, brain imaging

Question 3

Brain area that can stimulate depression

Answer 3

substantia nigra

Question 4

Describe transcranial magnetic stimulation & what it’s used for

Answer 4

• rapidly changing magnetic fields to temporarily turn off areas of brain activity
• virtual lesion, psychological task

Question 5

EEG vs MEG & purpose of both

Answer 5

• electrodes pick up electric signals of brain activity
• sensors detect magnetic activity

-when brain is active (not good at where)

Question 6

Describe PET scans

Answer 6

• maps brain via radioactive tracer injection

- follows blood flow of brain activity

Question 7

Describe fMRI

Answer 7

• activity mapped by monitoring magnetic pulses from oxygen in blood
• measures differences in brain activation

Question 8

Amygdala fxns (6)

Answer 8

• perceptions abt things w emotional meaning
• determine threat/reward
• ANX, fear, sociability, sexuality

Question 9

Left frontal lobe fxns (4)

Answer 9

• approach smt pleasant
• inhibit responses to unpleasant stim
• very active: emotional stability
• propensity to get angry

Question 10

Right frontal lobe fxns

Answer 10

• withdraw from unpleasant/frightening stim

- very active: neuroticism

Question 11

Consequences of right frontal lobe damage (Gage, Elliott)

Answer 11

• less excitable & emotional
• inability to understand others’ emotions & regulation own impulses & feelings
• inability to make good decisions

Question 12

Damasio’s Somatic Marker Hypothesis

Answer 12

emotions allow ppl to make decisions that maximize food outcomes/minimize bad ones & focus on what’s imp

Question 13

Capgras Syndrome

Answer 13

• right FL injury
• believe family = imposters

-lose ability for positive emotional response when recognizing loved one

Question 14

Where is the cingulate?

Answer 14

in cortex on top of corpus callosum

Question 15

Posterior cingulate fxns (2)

Answer 15

• processing info abt time & space

- reacting fast to threatening situations

Question 16

Anterior cingulate fxns (4)

Answer 16

• experience of normal emotion
• projects inhib circuits to amygdala
• mismatch btw expected vs actual stim
• overactive = neuroticism

Question 17

Fxn of circuit: cingulate, FL, amygdala/lower brain (2)

Answer 17

control emo responses & impulsive beh

Question 18

Fxn of frontal lobes (2)

Answer 18

• cognitive ctrl

- emotional forethought

Question 19

Hypothalamus (3)

Answer 19

production of hormones, mood, motivation

Question 20

Adrenal cortex

Answer 20

• outer layer of adrenal gland

- secretes behavior hormones

Question 21

Cortisol

Answer 21

• glucocorticoid hormones

- released by adrenal cortex as resp to phys/psyc stress

Question 22

NT related to extraversion

Answer 22

dopamine

Question 23

SSRI effect

Answer 23

reduce neurotic overrxns to negative events

Question 24

Excess vs shortage of cortisal

Answer 24

a) chronic ANX, brain damage

b) dangerously impulsive beh

Question 25

Plasticity is assoc with which Big 5 traits & which NT?

Answer 25

- extraversion & openness | - dopamine

Question 26

Stability is assoc with which Big 5 traits & which NT?

Answer 26

- low neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness | - serotonin