U4B1P1 Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is heritability in personality psychology?
It’s the proportion of phenotypic variance in a population attributable to genetic variance. It does not apply to individuals, only groups.
What is the average heritability estimate across human traits?
Around 49%, meaning nearly half of trait variability is due to genetics.
Do all traits have a genetic component?
Yes. No trait shows zero heritability.
Which personality traits have heritability estimates between .40 and .60?
Traits like extraversion and neuroticism.
What behaviors are influenced by genetics besides personality traits?
Drinking, smoking, marriage tendencies, and life satisfaction.
Are attitudes and preferences influenced by genetics?
Yes, e.g., traditionalism (\~.59) and conservative attitudes (.30–.60).
Are religious beliefs and racial attitudes heritable?
No evidence for heritability in beliefs in God, religious involvement, or racial integration attitudes (historical data).
What’s more influential in personality: shared or nonshared environment?
Nonshared environments often have more impact.
What is genotype–environment interaction?
When individuals with different genotypes respond differently to the same environment.
What is genotype–environment correlation?
When a person’s genes influence the environment they’re exposed to (positively or negatively).
What does molecular genetics study?
Specific genes linked to personality traits (e.g., DRD4 gene and novelty seeking).
What’s a limitation of molecular genetics studies?
Many findings are not consistently replicated; the field now focuses more on gene-environment interactions.
Why is physiology important in personality psychology?
Because physiological differences contribute to or reflect psychological traits.
What does the theoretical bridge in personality research explain?
How environmental conditions interact with traits to produce physiological responses.
What is electrodermal activity, and what does it measure?
Skin conductance due to sweat, reflects sympathetic nervous system activity.
What triggers electrodermal responses?
Sudden noises, mental effort, anxiety, fear, guilt, etc.
What is cardiovascular activity in personality research?
Measures like blood pressure and heart rate indicating arousal or stress.
What brain functions are measured in personality studies?
Activation of areas via fMRI or PET, especially in response to emotions or tasks.
What are brain structure correlations with personality?
Extraversion ↔ medial orbitofrontal cortex
Neuroticism ↔ threat/punishment areas
Conscientiousness ↔ thicker cortex
What is studied under brain connectivity in personality?
Communication between brain regions (e.g., openness linked to default network activity).
What does brain electrical activity measure?
Reactivity to stimuli via EEG, used to assess traits like sensation seeking.
What biological substances are measured in personality studies?
Hormones like testosterone, cortisol, dopamine, MAO, etc.
What is Eysenck’s theory on extraversion–introversion?
Introverts** have higher cortical arousability; they prefer lower stimulation
What are the two systems in Gray’s Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory?
BAS (Behavioral Activation System): Responds to rewards
BIS (Behavioral Inhibition System): Responds to punishment
