Personality and Physical Health

Question 1

Direct causation as an explanation for an association between personality and health?

Answer 1

Personality trait —> Health

• There is a direct link between personality and health

Question 2

Correlation as an explanation for an association between personality and health?

Answer 2

‘Factor x’ —> health and personality

• A different factor is causing both the health outcome and personality traits.

Question 3

Causal train as an explanation for an association between personality and health?

Answer 3

Personality trait —> behaviour -> health

• The personality trait is linked with behavioural patterns which lead to health outcomes

Question 4

Somatogenic as an explanation for an association between personality and health?

Answer 4

Health —> Personality trait

• Aspects of our health cause changes to personality

Question 5

What two personality types did Freidman & Rosenman (1959) propose which are associated with risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)?

Answer 5

• Type A personality: High rate of CVD: competitive, ambitious, aggressive.
• Type B personality: Low rate of CVD: takes life as it comes, uninterested im power and achievement.

Question 6

Maltby et al. (2017) conducted a study to validate ‘type A’ personality and CVD risk, what was found?

Answer 6

In a longitudinal, epidemiological study an inconsistent relationship was found between type a personality and CVD risk.

Question 7

How did Glass (1977) provide an explanation for the inconsistent results found by Maltby et al

Answer 7

Type A personality can be broken down into 3 components, with ‘hostility’ being the toxic component related to CVD risk.

Question 8

Effects of Neuroticism on health?

Answer 8

Evidence suggests facet specific links which has differing effects:

• Depression and anxiety –> negative health outcomes.
• Self consciousness –> engagement of preventative behaviours –> positive health outcomes

Question 9

What is the mechanism that links conscientiousness and longevity?

Answer 9

A causal chain mechanism

Concientiousness –> regular exercise –> longevity

Question 10

What cognitive mechanisms could also explain the link between conscientiousness and longevity?

Answer 10

Better coping mechanisms

Question 11

Chapman et al., (2011) suggested that the links between extraversion were facet specific… how so?

Answer 11

• Excitement seeking linked with addictive behaviours
• Pro-social and positive emotions linked with social support as buffer for stress.

Question 12

What did Weiss et al (2012) work show?

Answer 12

Extraverted Gorillas had higher survival rates.

Question 13

What is the suggestion about the mechanisms behind openness to experience and longevity?

Answer 13

linked to ‘cognitive reserve’ which reflects a resilience to neural diesease and injury.

Question 14

What did Jokel et al. (2014) conclude about the effects of health on personality

Answer 14

• Effects were both dose and disease specific.

Greatest change for stroke
More change if more disease

Question 15

According to Waxman et al. (2013), individuals with a low birth weight exhibited what narrow personality trait?

Answer 15

Cautiousness.