Ch 7 Physiological Approaches (class 9-10) Flashcards
What does physiology mean
Functionning of organs within the body
Pros
Studying personality by looking at physiology
Many diff systems / approaches
Reliable tools
Quantifiable
Cons Studying personality by looking at physiology
Can be stressful
Expensive equipment
6 Main brain parts / lobes
Frontal Parietal Occipital Temporal Spinal cord Cerebellum
Frontal lobe is responsible for
Motor control Concentration planning Problem solving Speech Smell
Temporal lobe is responsible for
Hearing
Facial recognition
Temporal lobe is responsible for
Hearing
Facial recognition
Reading in part
Occipital lobe is responsible for
Vision
Parietal lobe is responsible for
Touch and pressure Taste Body awareness
Language in part
Two ways of looking at the brain
Structually
Functionally
Why look at brain structure
See Damage
See volume size differences
Why look at brain structure
See Damage (brain injury studies diff before after)
See volume size differences
How looking at brain structure can go wrong
Phrenology
What is Broca’s Aphasia
brain injury studies
Damage to Broca’s area
Unable to articulate what we think
Phones Gage
brain injury studies
Damage frontal lobe
Changes personality, short temper, less agreeable etc.
Patient KC
brain injury studies
Motorcycle accident head trauma
Amnesia / Personality changes less risk taking
Concept diffuse damage
How to look at brain structure
CT (Computed Tomography)
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Looking at brain structure What is CT
CT (Computed Tomography)
bunch of XRays 3D-image see fluid etc
Looking at brain structure what is MRI
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Magnet water molecule, radio wave pick up signal molecules.
Can see bleeding tumors etc
Why look at brain function
what part of brain involved in what task
How are different areas connected.
How can we look at brain function
EEG fMRI PET DTI fNIRS
What is EEG
Electroencephalography
Use of Evoked Potentials (EPs)
Watching brain response to stimuli
Measures through scalp skin conductance
What is fMRI
functional Magnetic resonance imaging
Shows areas of the brain that are working during a task
Follows the tracking of blood flow
What is PET
Positron emission Tomography
Requires use of radioactive material injection
Traces the path of materials through the brain (marked by radioative materials) Blood flow Oxygen Glucose metabolism Drug uses
(fluo flu brain)
What Is DTI
Diffusion tensor imaging
fluo cool lines in brain
What is fNIRS
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy
Cap infrared activity …
What is the central N.S
Brain & spinal cord
Messages between body - brain through nerves.
In the C.N.S
What is the peripheral N.S
Connects central nervous system to the rest of body via nerves
In the C.N.S
In the P.N.S
What are the 2 branches of the peripheral N.S
Somatic N.S (voluntary mvmt)
Autonomic N.S (Uncons mvmt)
In the C.N.S
In the P.N.S
In the S.N.S
What are the 2 branches of the Somatic N.S
Sensory Input
5 senses
Motor Output
Fine & Gross motor skills
In the C.N.S
In the P.N.S
What are the 2 branches of the Autonomic N.S
Sympathetic
stress fight flight
Parasympathetic
Rest digest
How can we measure stress response
Reactivity to stimuli
Physiological measures
Cardiovascular activity
Heart rate blood pressure
Physiological measures
Respiration
breathing rate
Combination with cardiovascular
Physiological measures
Skin Conductance
electrodermal activity
Measure of the autonomic system
Fight or flight response
Measure sweat in the skin
Scare, emotions anxiety fear guilt
Physiological measures Hormones
Cortisol - stress response
Testosterone - Agression, competiviness.
Psysiological measures
Neurotransmitters
Tested through blood
Dopamine - pleasure
Seratonin - mood stabilizer
Norepinephrine - stress resp
Physiological measures
Eye tracking
Follow eye movement
See interest attention
Reactivity -
How we respond to stimuli - environment around us
Reward punishment
Sensation seeking
Beyond Reactivity -
Circathian rythmas
Brain asymmetry
Eysenck & Activation (take 1)
Thought there was a
Key neurosystem: Ascending reticular activating systems (ARAS)
Resting arousal level
Introverts Higher levels in ARAS External stimuli = overwhelming Extroverts Lower levels in ARAS External stimuli = helpful
Optimal level of arousal
Useful vs stressful
Motivation vs overload
Is the arousal level the same in Extroverts and Introverts?
Yes at rest
BUT
React differently to stimuli
Eysenck & Arousability (take 2)
Arousal response
Introverts
Need less stimulation to reach optimal level
Over-arousal is a risk
Extroverts
Need more stimulation to reach optimal level
Under-arousal is a risk
Reward & Punishment - Reactivity
Reinforcement Sensitivity theory
Gray
Based on (hypothetical) biological system
Behavioural activation system (BAS) :)
Behavioural inhibition system (BIS) :(
Reward & Punishment - Reactivity
(Reinforcement Sensitivity theory)
What is BAS :)
Behavioural activation system (BAS)
Approach drive
Responsive to incentive stimuli
Rewards
New experiences
New people
Reward & Punishment - Reactivity
(Reinforcement Sensitivity theory)
What is BIS :(
Behavioural inhibition system (BIS)
Withdrawl drive
Responsive to punishment stimuli
Fear of consequences
Fear of the unfamiliar
Fear of judgement
Extraversion
Emotional stability. Neurotic
Introversion
BIS (Up left)
BAS (Up right)
BAS BIS links to personality
impulsivity - Anxiety
Impulsivity
High BAS sensitive to reward seek + emotions stimuli
Anxious
High BIS, sensitive to cues punishment, stress, novelty, risk - emotions anxiety, fear, sadness.
BAS BIS life outcomes
impulsivity - Anxiety
Impulsivity
Don’t learn well from punishment
More likely to engage in risky (potentially illegal) behaviours
Anxiety
Don’t trust rewards
Less likely to engage in novel or potentially risky situations
More likely to be closed off and self-limiting
In the middle BAS BIS
Consider shyness Not outgoing Not introverted Still want to be engaged in social world But fearful
What prompts strenuous activity (beyond optimal level of arousal)
Sensation seeking - Gambling
Sensation Seeking and Gambling
Winning is an excellent positive emotion/sensation and motivator
High sensation seekers love the rush of winning
At risk for gambling behaviours
Sensation seeking and video games
describe study overwatch
Are videogame microtransactions similar to traditional slot-machine gambling?
Does rarity of certain rewards heighten arousal?
Does this increase chances of continuing to pay for rewards?
Sensation seeking and video games
results study overwatch
Rarity = greater arousal, more positive emotions, and more urge-inducing
Obtaining reward items gave similar arousal to earning money via slot-machines
Increased urge to find and open (and pay for) more boxes
Gambling behaviour
Parts of a neurones
Axon
Nucleus
Dendrites info in
Axon terminals info out
What is MAO
Monoamine Oxidase
Enzime
Monitors levels of neurotransmitters
What happens when high MAO
Monoamine Oxidase
Not enough neurotransmitter = less nerve transmission
Dulled sensation, lethargy
What happens when low MAO
Monoamine Oxidase
Too much neurotransmitter = too much nerve transmission
Lots of sensory information, jitteriness
MAO and personality
Monoamine Oxidase
Personality
Not based on base reactivity level
Based on MAO levels
Low sensation seeking, more risk averse
High MAO
High sensation seeking, less risk averse
Low MAO
3 important neurotransmitters in personality
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Pleasure
‘Feel good’ neurotransmitter
High dopamine
Competitiveness, aggression, low impulse control ADHD
Low dopamine
Low motivation, low concentration
Anxiety, (also) ADHD
Serotonin
Mood stabilizer
High serotonin
Too much regulation
Low arousal
Low serotonin
Not enough regulation
Anxiety, depression
Norepinephrine
Stress
Fight or flight system
High norepinephrine Worry, anxiety Insomnia Irritability Anxiety, mania
Low norepinephrine
Low arousal and motivation
Fatigue
Depression, ADHD
Difference Personality Psychopathology
Personality - Who we are as an individual
Psychopathology - How our traits may make our quality of life poorer
Tridemensional personality theory
Cloninger
3 personality traits 3 Neurotransmitters
Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 scale)
Trait = Novelty seeking
Brain system = Behavioural activation
Neurotransmitter = Dopamine
Behaviour = Exploratory, avoidance of punishment boredom, motivation to seek potential rewards.
= Dopamine
When it’s low = we seek external replacement
Novelty excitement.
Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 scale)
Trait = Harm avoidance
Brain System = Behavioural inhibition
Neurotransmitter = Serotonin
Behaviours = Avoid punish + novelty.
Not necessarily just serotonin levels = serotonin regulation
Low harm avoidance
Energetic, outgoing, optimistic
High harm avoidance
Cautious, inhibited, shy
Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 scale)
Trait = Reward dependence
Brain system = Behavioural maintenance
Neurotransmitter = Norepinephrine
Behaviours= work towards reward or avoid punishment
High in reward dependence trait = low norepinephrine
Persistent
Goal motivated
Antisocial personality disorder
Rate on 3 traits according to Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 / low to high scale)
Novelty seeking = High
Harm avoidance = Low
Reward dependence = Low
Histrionic personality disorder
Rate on 3 traits according to Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 / low to high scale)
Novelty seeking = High
Harm avoidance = Low
Reward dependence = High
Passive agressive personality disorder
Rate on 3 traits according to Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 / low to high scale)
Novelty seeking = High
Harm avoidance = High
Reward dependence = High
Obsessional personality disorder
Rate on 3 traits according to Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 / low to high scale)
Novelty seeking = Low
Harm avoidance = High
Reward dependence = Low
Schizoid personality disorder
Rate on 3 traits according to Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 / low to high scale)
Novelty seeking = Low
Harm avoidance = Low
Reward dependence = Low
Tridemensional personality theory (on a +3 to -3 / low to high scale)
Life outcomes
Addiction
High novelty seeking = alcohol to supplement low dopamine
High harm avoidance = alcohol to relieve stress
Violent offense
High novelty seeking, high harm avoidance, low reward dependence
Difference Reactive & Non Reactive physiology
Reactive – outside world triggers the personality
Non-reactive – baseline settings
Even before reactive
Brain Asymmetry
Measured via EEG
Differences in alpha waves – sleepy wave
Less alpha wave = more reactivity
In general:
Left side activation: pleasant emotions
Right side activation: unpleasant emotions
What are the brain waves
Beta Alpha Delta Theta Gamma
Right side asymmetry links to personality
Greater reactivity and processing of negative stimuli
More susceptible to stress, anxiety, depression
Left sided asymmetry
Greater reactivity and processing of positive stimuli
Generally happy
More susceptible to mania
Sleep wake cycles
Circadian Rythms
Biological process 24-25h’s cycle
Body temperature
Endocrine system
Short biorhythm =
Early birds
+- 22 hour rhythm
Peak temperatures and alertness early in the day
Energy early in the day
Sleepy earlier
Long biorhythm =
Night owls.
+- 26 hour rhythm
Peak temperature and alertness later in the day
Harder to wake up
Later to go to sleep
Life outcomes biorhythms
9-5 work week = best for short biorhythm
Personal relationships
Mismatch between rhythms can lead to
interpersonal difficulties
Caffeine consumption
Long biorhythm = caffeine early in the day
Short biorhythm = caffeine late at night
