Intro to personality and bio approaches

Question 1

define personality

Answer 1

An individual’s unique and relatively consistent pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving

Question 2

another term for personality

Answer 2

Individual differences

Question 3

Name the approaches to personality

Answer 3

Biological
Behavioural
Social
Humanistic
Psychoanalytic
Trait theory

Question 4

Name Eysenck 2 primary personality traits

Answer 4

extraversion/introversion
neuroticism

Question 5

typical extraverts

Answer 5

outgoing, impulsive and sociable

Question 6

typical introverts

Answer 6

quiet, reserved and distant

Question 7

high neuroticism

Answer 7

unstable or highly emotional, easily upset and angered

Question 8

low neuroticism

Answer 8

less prone to mood wings

Question 9

evidence of biology influencing personality

Answer 9

consistency of extraversion and introversion over time
similar personality versions in cross cultural studies
genetics playing vital role

Question 10

Five factor model personality dimensions

Answer 10

• Openness
  
  • Conscientiousness
  • Extraversion
  • Agreeableness
  • Neuroticism

Question 11

explain twins and personalities

Answer 11

Fraternal twins ≈50% shared genetics
Dissimilar personalities

Identical twins = 100% shared genetics
Similar personalities

Question 12

example of personality trait that may have more genetic influence

Answer 12

neuroticism

Question 13

define genotype

Answer 13

• Genetic makeup of an individual
• Contained in 23 pairs of chromosomes
  Made up of pairs of alleles (e.g., gene variants) provided by parents

Question 14

define epigenetics

Answer 14

• Influence of environment on gene expression
  Alters structure of DNA
  interactions between genes

Question 15

phenotype

Answer 15

• Observable expression of genetics
  E.g., height, eye colour, blood type, personality

Question 16

Critique of Eysenck (Jeffrey Alan Gray)

Answer 16

• Introverts and extraverts differ in how they respond to emotional stimuli
  Introverts are quickly aroused when exposed to external stimulation

Question 17

What is reinforcement sensitivity theory

Answer 17

The human brain has 2 behavioural systems underlying individual differences in sensitivity to reward, punishment, and motivation

Question 18

Behavioural approach system (BAS)

Answer 18

Seek out impulsive, rewarding behaviour
Engage in emotionally intense situations

Question 19

Behavioural inhibition system (BIS)- (withdrawal motivation)

Answer 19

Avoid emotionally intense situations
Anxiety

Question 20

What brain area is measured for personality

Answer 20

frontal lobe

Question 21

what happened to Phineas gage

Answer 21

Railroad foreman- Explosion sent iron rod through skull
Damaged frontal lobe of brain -Survived
Changes in personality

Question 22

what changes in personality did Phineas Gage experience

Answer 22

• Planning behaviour
  
  • Emotional control
  • Behavioural inhibition

Question 23

explain an EEG

Answer 23

Measures electrical activity of brain’s surface
Brain activity useful in identifying personality

Question 24

benefits of EEG

Answer 24

No social desirability
Non-invasive

Question 25

describe differences in sensitivity related to reinforcement sensitivity

Answer 25

Higher activation in left = Higher BAS Higher activation in right = Higher BIS

Question 26

what is left frontal cortex associated with

Answer 26

Depression (inactivation) Bipolar (sporadic activation)

Question 27

what is right frontal cortex related to

Answer 27

Anxiety disorders (activation)

Question 28

what is the Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)

Answer 28

- Essential part of personality - Processes emotional information - Decision making Assigns value to decisions e.g. this will/ won't work

Question 29

strengths of biological approach to personality

Answer 29

Provides genetic account as source of individual variability Empirically supported neural indicators of personality

Question 30

limitations of biological approach to personality

Answer 30

Assumption that biology is primary driver of personality