Personality

Question 1

Eysenck’s biological basis theory (1967)

Answer 1

2 neural systems:

Cortico-reticular loop; used for determining introversion/extraversion. Introverts have higher baseline thus less activation seeking

Reticulo-limbic loop; used for neuroticism. Neurotic people have a greater sensitivity thus produce exaggerated response

Question 2

Gray’s biological basis theory (1970)

Answer 2

Interaction between 2 systems, BAS and BIS.

BAS determines how reward seeking-orientated a person is. A greater BAS means more impulsivity

BIS determines how punishment-avoidant a person is. Thus a greater BIS means greater anxiety

Question 3

Cloninger’s biological basis model (1993)

Answer 3

Based around the monoamine system (dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline). Three heritable behavioural traits, reward dependence, harm avoidance and novelty seeking.

Question 4

Why are twin studies useful?

Answer 4

They provide an insight in assessing genetics vs environment questions. If monozygotic twins have fewer differences in a trait than dizygotic twins this suggests a genetic influence. The opposite is true of environmental influences

Question 5

Why are adoption studies useful ?

Answer 5

Conversely to twin studies adopted children have no genetic similarities. Allowing for an examination of the environment without genetic influence. I.e. If two children with different genetics are reared in the same environment and develop similarities in traits, this suggests the trait is dependent on the environment

Question 6

Riemann et al, 1997 (Twin study)

Answer 6

Examined 5 factor personality traits. Found much stronger correlation (0.42-0.56) in MZ twins compared to DZ twins (0.12-0.35)

Question 7

Loehlin, 1992 (Trait heritability)

Answer 7

Meta-analysis concluded that personality traits are 54-80% heritable in men and 54-70% in women. Individual environment accounts for twice that of family environment

Question 8

Angleitner and Strelau, 1997 (biological basis criticism)

Answer 8

This report used both self and independent peer report, finding very significant result. This overcame the criticism that similar reports only used self-report

Question 9

What is psychophysiology ?

Answer 9

The study of the relationship between physiological and psychological phenomena

Question 10

Why is psychophysiology useful ?

Answer 10

Links personality traits to neural systems such as Eysenck, Gray and Collinger. As well as identifying brain structures

Question 11

Gale, 1983 (Eysenck’s cortico-reticular loop)

Answer 11

Used an EEG to examine Eysenck’s theory about extra/introversion and the cortico-reticular loop. Found that when aroused introverts show more activation, thus supporting Eysenck’s theory

Question 12

What are some issues when using EEG ?

Answer 12

Introverts and extraverts may react differently.
Cannot measure baseline level of arousal
Need to test in different environments
Results often weak and difficult to interpret

Question 13

Problems with neurochemical studies

Answer 13

Its basis in animal research and their novelty seeking behaviour may have very little to do with human reward seeking behaviour.

Question 14

Strengths of biological theories

Answer 14

Psychological mechanisms are used to explain the basis of personality.
Personality dimensions are linked to physiological mechanisms such as brain activity

Question 15

Weaknesses of biological theories

Answer 15

Lack of consistent evidence in supporting theories.

Oversimplification of the brain processes

Question 16

What is temperament ?

Answer 16

The biologically based differences in behaviour, especially in early life

Question 17

Strelau, 1983 (Temperament and personality)

Answer 17

Found that temperament is based in biology whereas personality has more to do with socialisation

Question 18

Thomas and Chess, 1977 (Children’s temperament)

Answer 18

65% of children fell into 3 groups. 
Easy child (40%)- regular eating, sleeping, smiles a lot. Most problems encountered when new responses required 
Difficult child (10%) - opposite of easy child, most problems due to socialisation situations. Often loud and can be aggressive 
Slow to warm up child (15%) 
35% did not fall into any category. Used small sample sizes. Profiles stable over short term but fell apart in long term

Question 19

What was the Dunedin Study

Answer 19

Large temperament study, with over 1000 participants. Longitudinal, with check-ups every 2 years until they were 18, then 21, 26 and 31. Representative of the population.
They were classified into 3 groups; Under-controlled (106) who were impulsive, and restless. Inhibited (80) who were fearful and upset by new people and situations. Well adjusted (405), able to control themselves and self-confident. Early temperament did indicate future behaviour. This study has produced over 1,200 papers.

Question 20

What is the Freudian Psychoanalytic theory?

Answer 20

The non-trait model of personality developed by Freud that consists of the id, ego and superego

Question 21

Evaluation of Freudian Psychoanalytic theory

Answer 21

Was the first systematic theory of personality.
Was correct in that adult personality develops from childhood experiences. The main flaw is that it lacks empirical data and was developed from Freud’s own experience rather than scientific method. Thus his theory is untestable. It also received criticism that it has an oversimplified version of human motivation

Question 22

What are some of the features of the social cognition approach to personality ?

Answer 22

Emphasises :
people as active agents, 
Social origins of behaviour, 
Cognitive processes, 
Behaviour is situation-specific,
Systematic research 
learning complex patterns of behaviour in the absence of rewards

Question 23

Who were the main researchers into social cognition personality theory ?

Answer 23

Bandura, who focused on the role of experience and self efficacy. As well as Mischel, who focused on the way people interpret the world around them

Question 24

According to social cognition theory what is the role self-efficacy plays in personality ?
(Shoda, Mischel and Wright, 1994)

Answer 24

People with greater self-efficacy select more challenging goals and demonstrate greater effort and persistence. As well as a greater resilience to stress

Question 25

What was Carl Roger’s Humanistic Approach to personality ?

Answer 25

Regarded the self as an individual that perceives external objects and experiences and attaches meaning to them.
Thought that the self represents an organised set of perceptions.
Focused on self-actualisation and the notion that a person will always seek to become their ideal self

Question 26

What is self-actualisation ?

Answer 26

Self-actualisation is the tendency of people to engage in more independent and self enhancing behaviour

Question 27

Summarise the Self Determination Theory of Deci and Ryan (1985;2002)

Answer 27

Comprised of a person’s autonomy, competence and psychological readiness. The theory states that motivation is the key factor in the development of personality. It used questionnaires to assess different peoples motivations