Unit 4 Part 1 And 2

Question 1

What is heritability?

Answer 1

The proportion of observed variation in a trait among individuals that can be attributed to genetic differences.

Question 2

Can you say an individual’s trait is X% inherited?

Answer 2

No, heritability applies to populations, not individuals.

Question 3

What traits have a heritability of around 0.4–0.6?

Answer 3

Extraversion and neuroticism.

Question 4

What is the heritability of activity level?

Answer 4

Approximately 0.50.

Question 5

What is the heritability of shyness?

Answer 5

Around 0.44.

Question 6

What is the heritability estimate for the propensity to marry?

Answer 6

68%.

Question 7

What is shared environment?

Answer 7

Environmental influences that make siblings more alike (e.g., parental values, home conditions).

Question 8

What is non-shared environment?

Answer 8

Influences unique to each individual (e.g., different peer groups).

Question 9

What is genotype–environment interaction?

Answer 9

When individuals with different genotypes respond differently to the same environment.

Question 10

What is genotype–environment correlation?

Answer 10

When individuals with certain genotypes are more likely to be exposed to particular environments.

Question 11

What is the DRD4 gene associated with?

Answer 11

Novelty seeking and risky behavior.

Question 12

What neurotransmitter does DRD4 influence?

Answer 12

Dopamine.

Question 13

What does the 5-HTT gene influence?

Answer 13

Susceptibility to depression after stressful life events.

Question 14

What does electrodermal activity measure?

Answer 14

Skin conductance related to sympathetic nervous system activity.

Question 15

What physiological states increase electrodermal activity?

Answer 15

Anxiety, fear, startle response, guilt.

Question 16

What cardiovascular measures are used in personality research?

Answer 16

Blood pressure and heart rate (BPM).

Question 17

What can an increased heart rate indicate?

Answer 17

Anxiety, fear, or cognitive effort.

Question 18

What does EEG measure?

Answer 18

Brain’s electrical activity.

Question 19

What brain imaging tools are used in personality research?

Answer 19

PET and fMRI.

Question 20

Which brain region correlates with extraversion?

Answer 20

Medial orbitofrontal cortex.

Question 21

Which neurotransmitter is associated with novelty seeking?

Answer 21

Dopamine.

Question 22

What is the role of serotonin in personality?

Answer 22

Associated with emotional stability and regulation.

Question 23

What is the function of norepinephrine?

Answer 23

Activates the fight-or-flight response.

Question 24

What does Eysenck’s ARAS theory propose?

Answer 24

Introverts have higher baseline cortical arousal than extraverts.

Question 25

What is the Behavioral Activation System (BAS)?

Answer 25

Regulates approach behavior in response to rewards.

Question 26

What is the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)?

Answer 26

Regulates avoidance behavior in response to punishment.

Question 27

Which system is linked to extraversion?

Answer 27

BAS.

Question 28

Which system is linked to anxiety and neuroticism?

Answer 28

BIS.

Question 29

What is sensation seeking?

Answer 29

The need for varied, novel, and intense experiences.

Question 30

Which enzyme regulates neurotransmitter levels?

Answer 30

MAO (monoamine oxidase).

Question 31

What is domain specificity in evolutionary psychology?

Answer 31

Adaptations evolved to solve specific adaptive problems.

Question 32

What is numerousness in this context?

Answer 32

The mind has many mechanisms adapted to different tasks.

Question 33

What does functionality mean in evolutionary psychology?

Answer 33

Psychological traits evolved to solve specific functions.

Question 34

What is the 'human nature' level of analysis?

Answer 34

Traits shared by all humans (e.g., need to belong, emotions).

Question 35

What explains sex differences in jealousy from an evolutionary perspective?

Answer 35

Different adaptive reproductive challenges.

Question 36

What are environmental triggers of individual differences?

Answer 36

Different environments activating species-typical traits.

Question 37

What is frequency-dependent selection?

Answer 37

A trait’s advantage depends on how common it is.

Question 38

How does food scarcity affect personality evolution?

Answer 38

Favors risk-taking traits during scarcity; caution during abundance.

Question 39

How is neuroticism adaptive?

Answer 39

Increases vigilance to social danger.

Question 40

How does conscientiousness relate to evolutionary success?

Answer 40

Promotes long-term planning and resource provision.

Question 41

What is the evolutionary function of openness?

Answer 41

Seeking new information and strategic problem solving.