Ch. 8: Anatomy & Physiology of Personality Flashcards
Interneurons
short/no axons, regulate transmissions btw nerve cells
3 main methods to study the brain
brain damage, brain stimulation, brain imaging
Brain area that can stimulate depression
substantia nigra
Describe transcranial magnetic stimulation & what it’s used for
- rapidly changing magnetic fields to temporarily turn off areas of brain activity
- virtual lesion, psychological task
EEG vs MEG & purpose of both
- electrodes pick up electric signals of brain activity
- sensors detect magnetic activity
-when brain is active (not good at where)
Describe PET scans
- maps brain via radioactive tracer injection
- follows blood flow of brain activity
Describe fMRI
- activity mapped by monitoring magnetic pulses from oxygen in blood
- measures differences in brain activation
Amygdala fxns (6)
- perceptions abt things w emotional meaning
- determine threat/reward
- ANX, fear, sociability, sexuality
Left frontal lobe fxns (4)
- approach smt pleasant
- inhibit responses to unpleasant stim
- very active: emotional stability
- propensity to get angry
Right frontal lobe fxns
- withdraw from unpleasant/frightening stim
- very active: neuroticism
Consequences of right frontal lobe damage (Gage, Elliott)
- less excitable & emotional
- inability to understand others’ emotions & regulation own impulses & feelings
- inability to make good decisions
Damasio’s Somatic Marker Hypothesis
emotions allow ppl to make decisions that maximize food outcomes/minimize bad ones & focus on what’s imp
Capgras Syndrome
- right FL injury
- believe family = imposters
-lose ability for positive emotional response when recognizing loved one
Where is the cingulate?
in cortex on top of corpus callosum
Posterior cingulate fxns (2)
- processing info abt time & space
- reacting fast to threatening situations
Anterior cingulate fxns (4)
- experience of normal emotion
- projects inhib circuits to amygdala
- mismatch btw expected vs actual stim
- overactive = neuroticism
Fxn of circuit: cingulate, FL, amygdala/lower brain (2)
control emo responses & impulsive beh
Fxn of frontal lobes (2)
- cognitive ctrl
- emotional forethought
Hypothalamus (3)
production of hormones, mood, motivation
Adrenal cortex
- outer layer of adrenal gland
- secretes behavior hormones
Cortisol
- glucocorticoid hormones
- released by adrenal cortex as resp to phys/psyc stress
NT related to extraversion
dopamine
SSRI effect
reduce neurotic overrxns to negative events
Excess vs shortage of cortisal
a) chronic ANX, brain damage
b) dangerously impulsive beh
Plasticity is assoc with which Big 5 traits & which NT?
- extraversion & openness
- dopamine
Stability is assoc with which Big 5 traits & which NT?
- low neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness
- serotonin