Cognitive Psychology

Question 0

Eysenck’s view

Answer 0

-developed a model of personality describing (structure as a hierarchy of traits
-higher traits determine -> lower traits which determine -> person’s behaviour
-two high traits (=supertraits): Extraversion
Neuroticism

Question 1

What is cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 1

• study of the structure and function of the nervous system

- looks at how psychological functions are influenced by neural activity

Question 2

Super traits and traits of Extraversion and neuroticism

Answer 2

Supertrait: Extraversion
Traits: outgoing, assertive, active, lively

Supertrait: Neuroticism
Trait: anxious, tense, moody, self-conscious

Question 3

Explanation of eysenck’s view

Answer 3

-Differences resulted from differences in activation in the cerebral cortex (-> front section of brain)
When cortex is activated person is alert
When cortex is not activated person is drowsy
-proposed that introverts normally have higher cortical arousal that extroverts (introverts trying to inhibit external stimulation)
-Extraverts with lower baseline arousal seek external stimulation to bring their arousal up

Question 4

Behavioural activity by Jeffrey Gray

Answer 4

-two seperate systems control behaviour

Behavioural approach system (BAS) or behavioural activation system

Behavioural inhibition system (BIS) or behavioural avoidance or withdrawal system

Question 5

Behavioural approach system (BAS)

Answer 5

• BAS set of brain structures that cause animals to approach incentives
• The BAS is related to positive emotions
• people with higher BAS sensitivity are more responsive to incentives
• those with lower BAS sensitivity do not respond as much to such cues
• imaging studies have found that BAS is partly based in the left prefrontal cortex
• some theorists have linked the BAS to a specific neurotransmitter -> dopamine in the ventral regimental pathway

Question 6

Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS)

Answer 6

• BIS inhibits behaviour which may lead to punishment or negative outcomes
• BIS is associated with feelings of anxiety
• people with reactive BIS are sensitive to threat
• BIS and BAS are thought to be separate
  
  • > therefore all combinations of high and low approach and avoidance sensitivity probably exist

Question 7

Relating behaviour systems to traits or temperaments

Answer 7

BIS linked with neuroticism
-> BIS creates anxiety and anxiety is central to neuroticism
BAS linked to Extraversion
-> Extraversion incorporates the pursuit of incentives and the tendency to experience positive emotions

Question 8

Conceptualisation of Extraversion

Answer 8

have differed

• some theorists have included sociability and impulsivity
• Recent research has suggested that social interaction is not central to Extraversion
• other researchers suggest that impulsivity does not belong in Extraversion