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Biological Bases of Personality Flashcards

Neurotransmitters Brain structures Hormones

1
Q

Early ideas: The Four “Humours” and Personality

A

Sanguine
Melancholic
Choleric
Phlegmatic

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2
Q

Ancient Greek thinkers: Hippocrates and Galen

  • Personality patterns or temperament is dependant on various fluids in one’s body
A

four main humors

  1. Blood: very cheerful = sanguine
  2. Black bile: depressive = melancholic
  3. Yellow bile: angry = choleric
  4. Phlegm: calm = phlegmatic

no empirical evidence

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3
Q

Idea remained influential

e.g. Ivan Pavlov (famous Russian psychologist)

A
  1. Weak: anxious = melancholic
  2. strong unbalanced = irritable / choleric
  3. strong balanced slow = calm / phlegmatic
  4. strong balanced mobile = lively / sanguine
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4
Q

Neurotransmitters and Cloninger’s theory

A

Dopamine & Novelty Seeking

Serotonin & Harm Avoidance

Norepinephrine & Reward Dependence

Empirical tests of Cloninger’s theory

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5
Q

Neurotransmitters and Cloninger’s theory

A

Firing of neurons: basis of emotions, thoughts, behaviours

Neurotransmitters are biochemical substances involved in the communication among neurons

Level of neurotransmitters might influence one’s personality

Focus is on three neurotransmitters active in the brain and spinal chord (the central nervous system)

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6
Q

How neurotransmitters work?

A

End of axon stops adjacent to the dendrite

Gap is called synapse

This is the location of communication between nerve cells

Axon terminal releases chemicals that affect the dendrites on other side of synapse

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7
Q

Dopamine and Novelty Seeking

A

Transmission of signals of reward, in response to things that feel pleasurable and exciting

Cloninger: personality characteristics related to one’s response to PLEASURE and EXCITEMENT

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8
Q

Underactivated dopamine system…

A

Parkinson’s disease: Extremely inactive

  • Lack of interest in new or fun activities
  • Uncoordinated movements
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9
Q

Overactivated dopamine system

A

Cocaine: increases dopamine activity

  • Extremely aroused
  • Increase in novelty seeking behaviour
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10
Q

Serotonin and Harm Avoidance

A

Inhibits the transmission of signals of punishment,

Preventing neurons to send message in response to things that feel harmful or unpleasant

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11
Q

Cloninger: personality characteristics related to pain and anxiety

A

Low levels of serotonin = high in “Harm Avoidance”

  • Worry/pessimism
  • Fear of uncertainty
  • Shyness with strangers
  • Fatigability
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12
Q

Antidepressant drugs such as
Prozac
Paxil

-> keep the serotonin system active

A

Inhibition of transmitting punishment signals

Reduction of negative emotions such as anxiety and depression

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13
Q

Norepinephrine and Reward Dependence

A

Inhibits the transmission of signals of responding to stimuli that in the past have been associated with reward

Signals of conditioned reward

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14
Q

Cloninger: personality characteristics related to people and things that have been associated with pleasure

A

Low levels of norepinephrine = high in “Reward Dependence”

  • Sentimentality
  • Warm communication
  • Dependence
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15
Q

Very inactive norepinephrine system

A

The tendency to develop strong sentimental attachment

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16
Q

Empirical test of Cloninger’s theory

A

Identify people who have different alleles of a gene that affects neurotransmitters

Compare people who have a different allele to see if there are any differences in the assumed personality traits

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17
Q

Comings et al. (2000): Investigation of the role of 59 genes in personality traits including:
7 related to dopamine
12 related to serotonin
9 related to norepinephrine

A

Each set of genes tended to be related to more than one of Cloninger’s personality dimensions

  • Reward Dependence was more strongly related to norepinephrine genes than to the other genes
  • Less clear support for the unique relations between Harm avoidance and serotonin genes and between Novelty seeking and Dopamine genes
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18
Q

Brain Structures

A

Gray’s theory

Eysenck’s theory

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19
Q

Gray’s Theory: Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST)

A

Brain regions work together as systems that underlie personality

  1. The Behavioural Activation System (BAS)
  2. The Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS)
  3. The Fight-or-Flight System (FFS)
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20
Q

The Behavioural Activation System (BAS)

A

Brain regions responsible for receiving signals from the nervous system which indicates that REWARDS are being experienced

Go-system

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21
Q

Go-system

A

Encourage pursuit of rewards

Communicating the pleasurable and exciting nature of rewards

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22
Q

People differ in the sensitivity of their BAS system

A

Stronger or more sensitive system = stronger pursuit of reward

Impulsivity, seeking pleasure and excitement

Cloninger’s Novelty Seeking dimension

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23
Q

The Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS)

A

Brain regions responsible for receiving signals from the nervous system which indicate that PUNISHMENTS are being experienced

Stop-system

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24
Q

Stop-system

A

Encourage avoidance of punishments, communicating the painful and frightening nature of punishments

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25
People differ in the sensitivity of their BIS system:
Stronger or more sensitive system = stronger avoidance of punishments Anxious, avoid pain and danger Cloninger’s Harm Avoidance dimension
26
The Fight-or-Flight System (FFS)
In response to extremely threatening situations
27
People differ in the sensitivity of their Fight-Flight system:
Stronger or more sensitive system = more ready to fight or to flee in case of emergency Showing extreme reactions: aggressive response, leaving hurriedly
28
Some researchers suggest that there might be a negative link with Cloninger’s Reward Dependence dimension
but there is not yet empirical evidence showing such association
29
Eysenck’s Theory
Strict standards for scientific pursuits - Conceptual clarity - Precise measurement - Factor analysis
30
Early theory: two superfactors EN Theory of personality
Extraversion - Introversion Neuroticism – Stability
31
Later theory: three superfactors PEN Theory of personality
Extraversion - Introversion Neuroticism – Emotional Stability Psychoticism
32
Extraversion
People differ in the strength of their reactions to stimulations of their senses - arousability of their brains Preference for high versus low level stimulation
33
Extraverted people
- Seek stimulation and sensation - Sociable - Lively - Active - Assertive - Enjoy loud music - Meetings - Parties
34
Introverted people
- Avoid stimulation - Prefer quieter surroundings - Avoid large crowds
35
Individual differences in Extraversion are governed by the...
Ascending reticular activating system (ARAS)
36
ARAS is located in the brain stem, where the spinal cord meets the brain
Nervous system receives stimulation from the environment ARAS regulates the amount of stimulation that is admitted to the brain from the nervous system
37
If one’s ARAS allows little stimulation, one feels UNDERAROUSED and thus SEEKS STIMULATION
Extraverted personality
38
If one’s ARAS allows admits a lot of stimulation, one feels OVERAROUSED and thus AVOIDS stimulation
Introverted personality
39
Neuroticism
People differ in the strength of their reactions to stressful stimuli Very sensitive vs. much less sensitive to stress
40
Very neurotic people
Feel a great deal of worry and nervousness, anxioux
41
Emotionally stable people
Feel little stress
42
Individual differences in Neuroticism are governed by the
Limbic system
43
The limbic system consists of several connected structures
Regulate stress responses Manage stressful stimuli, more emotionally stable Overwhelmed by stressful stimuli, tend to be more neurotic
44
Psychoticism
High levels in psychoticism -> higher levels of testosterone and low levels of the enzyme mono-amine oxidase (MAO)*
45
MAO
Involved in the inactivation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine
46
Very psychotic people
Aggressive, cold, egocentric, impersonal, impulsive, tough-minded, antisocial
47
High levels of psychoticism
Associated with criminal behaviour, mental illnesses, but also with creativity
48
Gray’s and Eysenck’s dimensions: Empirical evidence Lemon juice test (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1967)
The stimulation produced by the lemon juice is perceived more strongly by introverts than by extraverts Introverts produced more saliva than extraverts
49
Geen (1984): Effects on arousal and performance
Participants: introverts and extroverts had to complete a learning task while being exposed to noises Measures: levels of arousal indicated by heart rates and levels of skin conductance
50
Geen (1984): Findings
Choice condition: extraverts and introverts show comparable arousal levels (similar heart rates and skin conductance) because they have chosen their optimal/preferred levels of noise Assigned-same condition condition (matches their personality): Introverts in the quiet condition and extraverts in the loud condition show similar results as participants in the choice condition Assigned-different condition: Introverts in the loud condition -> show higher arousal levels (overstimulated) Extraverts in the quiet condition -> show lower levels of arousal (understimulated).
51
Conclusion: Geen (1984)
Introverts prefer lower levels of stimulation than extraverts Introverts are more aroused/react more strongly than extraverts under equal levels of stimulation
52
Introverts performed better than extraverts under quiet noise condition Extraverts performed better than introverts under loud noise condition
Results of these laboratory experiments are broadly consistent with Eysenck’s theory of the biological bases of Extraversion
53
More research is needed to understand the brain structures that underlie personality
Some studies produced more complex patterns of results that are only partly consistent with Eysenck’s theory
54
Zuckerman and his colleagues found evidence for three personality factors consistent with Eysenck’s dimensions but also obtained evidence for five factors (not Big Five)
Unlike Eysenck’s ideas, Zuckerman suggested that each personality dimension is influenced by complex interactions between several brain structures, neurotransmitters, and hormones, rather than by a single brain structure, neurotransmitter, or hormone
55
Hormones
Testosterone Cortisol Oxytocin
56
Hormones
Biological chemicals produced in glands of body parts then transmitted to other body parts Affect neuron activity and may therefore influence personality
57
Testosterone
Responsible for many physical characteristics of men Development of male reproductive organs Development of secondary sex characteristics Levels are at least 10 times higher in men than in women
58
Testosterone levels vary between individuals but also influenced by events and situations
Experiences of winning and losing, e.g. basketball fans
59
Experiences of winning and losing (Bernhardt, Dabbs, Fielden, & Lutter, 1998) e.g. World Cup Soccer
Brazil won on penalties after extra time Italian fans dropped out of participation more than Brazilian fans
60
Levels of testosterone during early periods of development may influence behaviour later in life
Girls exposed prenatally (in womb) to high testosterone levels tended to prefer toys that are usually more preferred by boys than by girls
61
How do testosterone levels relate to behaviour and personality? Studies of Dabbs and colleagues: sample of 240 members of fraternities
Fraternities with higher average levels: rude, wilder, unruly, rambunctious Fraternities with lower average levels: kind, more socially responsible, better academic achievement, more friendly
62
Studies of Dabbs and colleagues: Sample of 692 prison inmates
Higher testosterone levels: - Crimes of a violent/sexual nature - Less with drug offences, theft, or burglary - More rule breaking in prisons
63
Men versus women
Great difference in testosterone levels Much smaller differences and considerable overlap in distribution of personality traits -> Testosterone is clearly not the only factor influencing personality
64
Cortisol
Hormone released by the adrenal cortex Which triggered by stress to prepare the body for action Increase in blood pressure and blood sugar Suppression of the immune system
65
Loney et al. (2006): Emotional reactivity - levels of “callous-unemotional” traits
Among boys but not among girls -> higher levels of callous-unemotional traits were associated with low cortisol levels Little cortisol = more emotionally insensitive
66
Rosenblitt et al. (2001): Sample of 143 college students Investigated the associations between Testosterone, Cortisol and sensation seeking scores
No significant associations among women No significant associations for testosterone in sensation seeking High sensation seeking men had significantly lower cortisol levels
67
Oxytocin (the love hormone)
Hormone produced in the hypothalamus Released by the pituitary gland
68
In women and female mammals, oxytocin is released when giving birth, breastfeeding, experiencing orgasm
Also men have oxytocin, facilitating a man’s emotional attachments with his partner and children
69
Zak, Kurzban, and Matzner (2005): Students playing a trust game involving money
Students with higher (versus lower) levels of oxytocin trusted other students more in how to divide some money More trustworthy students (dividing the money equally) had higher levels of oxytocin -> Oxytocin plays a role in cooperative relationships and interpersonal attachment

Personality (9 decks)

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