Biological Approach Flashcards
What was Eysenck’s hierarchical organization of personality?
1st level: specific response level, where specific behaviors can be observed in specific context
2nd level: habitual response, where consistent behaviors can be observed over a longer period of time
3rd level: trait, specific trait that someone has, but still part of a larger category of trait
4th level: supertrait or type, largest trait of the three dimenions
What are supertraits?
Eysenck initially believed there were 2 supertraits: neuroticism (emotional stability) and extraversion, and then he added psychoticism (aggression, egocentrism and impersonality)
What are two evidences for biological basis according to Eysenck?
- Consistent extraversion across cultures and over time
- Genetics plays an important role in determining placement along the three continuum
What was Eysenck’s first (and wrong) theory of physiological differences in extraversion?
Different cortical level of activation = different extraversion patterns
Extraverts = low level of cortical activity = seek out stimulation
Introverts = high level of cortical activity = seek out peace
Modern research does not support this
What is the reinforcement sensitivty theory of Eysenck?
Presence of behavioral approach system (BAS) or behavioral inhibition system (BIS) defines extraversion
Extraverts = high BAS = seek out pleasure
Introverts = high BIS = apprehensive
What is temperament according to the biological approach?
General behavioral disposition influenced by genes and environment
What are the three dimensions of temperament?
- Emotionality
- Activity
- Sociability
In terms of temperament, what is the difference between boys and girls?
Girls have more effortful control (emotional regulation)
Boys have more surgency (activity and sociability)
What are inhibited children?
Controlled and gentle children, however, are fearful of strangers and have novelty anxiety. They often become well-adjusted adults but do have a higher chance of having depression
What are uninhibited children?
Excited, rough, demanding, and reckless children that readily explore their environment. They can have more problems as adults, with employment, the law, or romantic relationships.
What causes this difference?
It seems to be caused by the fact that inhibited children have social anxiety and fear of novelty. Also results in multiple physical differences such as eye color, sleep patterns, chronic constipation, etc. which does reflect the genetic component of this difference.
According to evolutionary personality psychology, what causes better survival?
Inherited tendency to become upset or nervous around certain situations
According to evolutionary personality psychology, what are psychological mechanisms?
Human function that allows us to deal with common human problem in a way to increase survival
What causes anxiety according to evolutionary personality psychology?
Fear of exclusion motivates us to be included otherwise creating great distress.
