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Personality Theory > Chapter 5: Biological Perspective (Biological Processes and Personality) > Flashcards

Chapter 5: Biological Perspective (Biological Processes and Personality) Flashcards

1
Q

Genetics vs. Biology

A

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)

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2
Q

Biological Mechanism of Personality

A
  • systems within the CNS and Endocrine systems that control activation and arousal (ARAS; BAS; BIS)
  • other biological factors: neurotransmitters, hormones
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3
Q

ARAS

A
  • Ascending Reticular Activation System
  • activates and deactivates cerebral cortex
  • responsible for: alertness, concentration, controlling sleep cycle
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4
Q

Extroversion/Introversion and ARAS

A
  • 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
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5
Q

Neuroticism and Biology

A
  • 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
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6
Q

BAS: what it is

A
  • 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
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7
Q

BAS Theory

A
  • 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
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8
Q

BIS

A
  • 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
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9
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

chemical messengers of the brain

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10
Q

Dopamine

A

implicated in approach behavior

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11
Q

Serotonin

A

implicated in avoidance behavior

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12
Q

Endocrine System

A

regulates hormone levels in body

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13
Q

Testosterone and Oxytocin

A

linked to behavior and personality

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14
Q

Hormone exposure, behavior, and personality

A
  • 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
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15
Q

Testosterone

A
  • sex hormone
  • related to aggression, dominance, antisocial behavior, relationship satisfaction
  • link to personality: relation to impulsivity, dominance, sensation-seeking
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16
Q

Cortisol

A
  • stress hormone
  • fight or flight response
  • increase hart rate, blood flow, skin constriction, increased blood sugar
  • androgens are involved in activation of SNS
17
Q

Stress and Personality

A
  • stress responses depend on personality (extroversion, neuroticism)
  • ongoing studies: mostly done with males
18
Q

“Tend and Befriend”

A
  • stems from evolutionary pressure to care for offspring, cooperate with social unit to promote survival (oxytocin related)
19
Q

Oxytocin

A
  • 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.
20
Q

The 3rd System

A

Sensation Seeking

21
Q

High Sensation Seeking Personality

A
  • seeks thrills
  • disorderly
  • unpredictable
  • intolerant of structure
  • spend on impulse
  • varied interests
  • easily bored
  • high energy
  • leader
22
Q

Low Sensation Seeking Personality

A
  • seeks predictability
  • orderly
  • cautious
  • enjoy simple pleasures
  • reliable, dependable
  • easily entertained
  • prefer routine
  • calm, reserved
  • decisions based on values
23
Q

Impulsive Unsocialized Sensation Seeking

A
  • 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
24
Q

Evolutionary Basis for High Sensation Seeking

A
  • access to new potential food resources and mates
  • exploration and hunting behavior
  • danger
25
Q

Evolutionary Basis for Low Sensation Seeking

A

safety of familiar terrain, foods

26
Q

Genetic Basis of Sensation Seeking

A

approx. 60% of variability in SS is genetic

27
Q

Stathmin Gene

A
  • 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
28
Q

Physiological Basis of Sensation Seeking

A
  • neurotransmitters are implicated in SS
  • hormones: testosterone high SS
  • cortisol: negatively related to SS
  • lower SS: higher cortisol levels
  • higher SS: lower cortisol levels
29
Q

Sensation Seeking Scales

A
  1. thrill and adventure seeking
  2. experience seeking
  3. dis-inhibition
  4. boredom susceptibility
30
Q

Age and Sex differences in Sensation Seeking

A
  • men score higher than women
  • increase during childhood
  • peak in late teens
  • decrease with age
31
Q

Early Sensation Seeking

A
  • 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
32
Q

Risky Behavior and Sensation Seeking

A

high in SS: more accidents, financial risks, promiscuity, drugs and alcohol

33
Q

Relationships and Sensation Seeking

A
  • 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

Personality Theory (16 decks)

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