Chapter 5: Biological Perspective (Biological Processes and Personality) Flashcards
Genetics vs. Biology
Genetics: genetic make-up, unique DNA structure, inherited genes or traits
Biology: referring to the physiological processes or characteristics of the body (nervous system, endocrine system)
Biological Mechanism of Personality
- systems within the CNS and Endocrine systems that control activation and arousal (ARAS; BAS; BIS)
- other biological factors: neurotransmitters, hormones
ARAS
- Ascending Reticular Activation System
- activates and deactivates cerebral cortex
- responsible for: alertness, concentration, controlling sleep cycle
Extroversion/Introversion and ARAS
- Eysenck’s Arousal Theory
- introverts have higher resting ARAS levels than extroverts (more alert at rest)
- introverts are easily overstimulates by social interaction
- extroverts seek out more simulation to raise ARAS levels
Neuroticism and Biology
- high neuroticism have higher levels of arousal in emotion centers of the brain (lymbic system and hypothalamus)
- are more emotional all the time
- learn or are conditioned more easily
- may explain why certain people are more prone to depression and anxiety
BAS: what it is
- Behavioral Activation System
- made up of different cortical structures in the brain that regulate pursuit of food, sex, warmth etc.
- levels of activation = sensitivity to reward
BAS Theory
- responsible for incentive seeking behavior
- for positive emotions related to incentives: responds to positive rewards
- people with reactive activation system are more sensitive to rewards - show more excitement
BIS
- Behavioral Inhibition System
- avoidance or withdrawal system
- sensitivity to punishment, linked to conditioning of negative outcomes
- responsible for adaptive and maladaptive anxiety
- predisposition toward negative emotionality
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers of the brain
Dopamine
implicated in approach behavior
Serotonin
implicated in avoidance behavior
Endocrine System
regulates hormone levels in body
Testosterone and Oxytocin
linked to behavior and personality
Hormone exposure, behavior, and personality
- exposure to hormones during pregnancy linked to traits such as: aggression, withdrawal, boldness, sexual orientation, gender identity
- abnormal testosterone exposure during pregnancy: higher levels of physical aggression
Testosterone
- sex hormone
- related to aggression, dominance, antisocial behavior, relationship satisfaction
- link to personality: relation to impulsivity, dominance, sensation-seeking
Cortisol
- stress hormone
- fight or flight response
- increase hart rate, blood flow, skin constriction, increased blood sugar
- androgens are involved in activation of SNS
Stress and Personality
- stress responses depend on personality (extroversion, neuroticism)
- ongoing studies: mostly done with males
“Tend and Befriend”
- stems from evolutionary pressure to care for offspring, cooperate with social unit to promote survival (oxytocin related)
Oxytocin
- relaxing hormone
- inhibits the SNS
- intensified by estrogen
- implicated in social bonding activity
- may be related to personality traits such as: extroversion, conscientiousness, affiliation, etc.
The 3rd System
Sensation Seeking
High Sensation Seeking Personality
- seeks thrills
- disorderly
- unpredictable
- intolerant of structure
- spend on impulse
- varied interests
- easily bored
- high energy
- leader
Low Sensation Seeking Personality
- seeks predictability
- orderly
- cautious
- enjoy simple pleasures
- reliable, dependable
- easily entertained
- prefer routine
- calm, reserved
- decisions based on values
Impulsive Unsocialized Sensation Seeking
- Zuckerman
- high in IUSS cannot inhibit behavior in order to adapt to social rules and pressures
- opposite of constraint
- positively correlated with aggression, psychoticism
- inversely correlated with sociability and conscientiousness
Evolutionary Basis for High Sensation Seeking
- access to new potential food resources and mates
- exploration and hunting behavior
- danger
Evolutionary Basis for Low Sensation Seeking
safety of familiar terrain, foods
Genetic Basis of Sensation Seeking
approx. 60% of variability in SS is genetic
Stathmin Gene
- Fear factor Gene
- mice without that gene showed no fear for open areas, mice with did fear open areas
- mice without the gene failed to learn from electric shocks
Physiological Basis of Sensation Seeking
- neurotransmitters are implicated in SS
- hormones: testosterone high SS
- cortisol: negatively related to SS
- lower SS: higher cortisol levels
- higher SS: lower cortisol levels
Sensation Seeking Scales
- thrill and adventure seeking
- experience seeking
- dis-inhibition
- boredom susceptibility
Age and Sex differences in Sensation Seeking
- men score higher than women
- increase during childhood
- peak in late teens
- decrease with age
Early Sensation Seeking
- in children as young as 2 years
- quicker react to new toys
- chose more intense toys
- more likely to explore
- more likely to take physical risks
Risky Behavior and Sensation Seeking
high in SS: more accidents, financial risks, promiscuity, drugs and alcohol
Relationships and Sensation Seeking
- similar SS scores: more compatibility (best both low SS)
- high SS: love as a game,get bored after a while, high divorce rates
- low SS: long-term potential
