indiv dif wk 1 Flashcards
differernt types of individual differences
- Motivation
- Personality
- Intelligence
- Creativity
- Mood
Measures of indiv diff tend to be ____ distributed and represent which effects
Normally distributed
state and trait effect
ethics and controversies in ID research
indiv dif
- Face validity can be misleading
- stakes can be high for test outcomes (e.g. job application)
what are the two systems of John Gray’s Reinforcement sensitivity theory
+ what 3 brain regions does it involve
BAS (behaviour activation)
BIS (behaviour inhibition)
Amygdala
vmHypothalaus
Midbrain gray matter
what is the BAS
- activates “approach” behaviour towards a goal.
- Motivated to seek reward
- Based on conditioned responses associated with positive events
what is the BIS
- Focus attention on potential costs
- Inhibits behaviour associated with negative events
- Motivated to avoid harm and punishment
what are Grey’s two dimensions
Anxiety
Impulsivity
revised-RST
- 3rd system FFFS (fight. flight, freeze system) as response to - stim
- BIS system revised. seen as a comparator or evalater module. to avoid, approach or do smth else.
nomothetic vs idiographic
nomothetic = indiv diff expl by predefined attributes
idiographic = indivs so unique that 2 diff people cannot be described using the same concepts
dispositional vs situational theories of personality
d = personality is seen as consistant, internal dispositions to think/act/feel in similar ways, largely independent of situation
S = p is a series of largely unrelated states determined primarily by situational factors. No core essence, just distinct behavioural signatures made of if A then B rules
what did Hippocrates introduce about personality
described physical illness as arising from the balance of bodily fluids
what were the 4 types of character introduced by Galen in his model of personality
+ which bodily fluids imbalance causes these
what did this contribute to
phlegmatic - calm + relaxed . = excess Mucus
choleric - angry = excess Bile
sanguine - happy = excess Blood
melancholic - depressed, unhappy = black bile
Popularising idea that there are types of personality
Eyesenck’s PEN theory. The biology of extraversion dimension
caused by differences in the Ascending Reticular Activation System.
This system modulates the amount of electrical activity in the cortex
Moderate levels of cortical are preferred.
Extraverts have lower levels of cortical arousal and so Seek out external stimulation
Introverts have higher levels of cortical arousal and so Avoid external stimulation
what is the hypothesis of tests studying the biology behind the E dimension.
How is this tested, what do EEG wave types suggest about cortical activity
In a given situation, extraverts will have lower levels of cortical arousal than introverts.
Use of EEG study
Lower frequency, higher amplitudes = lower cortical arousal
Higher frequency, lower amplitude = high cortical activity
what did Gale find in his research review when testing bio behind E scale
mixed evidence but most supported the theory
BUT
a number of methodolgical issues
- unsystematic use of diff personality measures (define extraversion differently)
- Diff in tasks under EEG. AND it is important to get task arousal correct. If task is v difficult, it will be arousing and introverts would find this aversive, and so would naturally try to relax self. WHEREAS an extrovert would participate in way they asked, cortical activity would increase.
So diff to find baseline as the types are reacting in diff ways.
also visa versa
what did Trann, Craig + McIsaac change in their study on brain activity on E scale
- activity measured from frontal regions og brain
- Older p.p (22-60 m = 38.3 yrs)
- Used moderately demanding task (opening and closing eyes)
FOUND
mean peak amplitude:
- 4.5 microvolts
- 6.8 microvolts
what did Eyesenck suggest ab the biology behind Neuroticism
explained by diff levels of activity in reticulo-limbic system
(N = higher baseline activity)
what did Eyesenck suggest ab the biology behind Psychoticism
male hormones and or dopamine levels
Evaluation of Eyesenck’s PEN theory
- good cross cultural evidence for E and N factors
- Major contribution to trait and biological theories of personality
- Development of several personality questionnaires
(-) neurobiology acc more complicated
(-) Biological reductionism
(-) P factor less accepted
