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PSY324: The Science of Wellbeing > Personality and Biological Basis of Wellbeing > Flashcards

Personality and Biological Basis of Wellbeing Flashcards

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1
Q

Demographics account for X% variance of SWB?

A

8-20%

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2
Q

How do we test the role of situational vs non-situational factors in SWB?

A

Test-retest correlation over long periods of time.

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3
Q

What does the state-trait model let us capture? (3)

A
  1. Rapidly changing component (state + measurement error)
  2. An unchangeable stable trait component
  3. A slowly and orderly changing random trait component (autoregressive trait)
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4
Q

What did Lucas and Donnellan find in their 1996 study of British household panel data? (percentages, 3)

A
  1. 30-40% of variance in life-satisfaction comes from a stable trait
  2. 30% of variance in life satisfaction comes from the autoregressive state
  3. 30% comes from state component and measurement error
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5
Q

What is adaptation?

A

diminished responsiveness to repeated or continued stimuli

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6
Q

Explain the hedonic treadmill theory.

A

People adapt rapidly and completely to all life circumstances.

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7
Q

Note three criticisms to the hedonic treadmill theory.

A
  1. Adaptation to some events occur slowly (widowhood - 8 years)
  2. We do not always return to baseline and do not always adapt (i.e., pleasure of eating).
  3. Our baseline is not neutral, we tend towards happiness.
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8
Q

1/2 of variance of SWB is ______ like unchanging environmental conditions.

A

stable

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9
Q

1/2 of variance __________ (3) like changes to life circumstances, is slow, random often.

A

changes over time

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10
Q

Define the following genetic terms:

  1. Histone
  2. Gene
  3. Allele
  4. Genome
  5. Genotype
A
  1. protein complexes around which DNA is wrapped
  2. a sequence of DNA (or RNA) that encodes the production of some gene product
  3. different variants of the same gene
  4. the complete set of genes that an organism possesses (20,000 -30,000 different genes) that are located on 23 pair of chromosomes
  5. an individual’s set of genes
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11
Q

Define heritability.

A

A statistic that refers to the proportion of observed variance in a population of individuals that can be accounted for by genetic variance.

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12
Q

In what circumstances can heritability increase?

A

When genetic contribution increase/decrease, non-genetic contributions increase/decrease

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13
Q

What is environmentality?

A

A statistic that refers to the proportion of observed variance in a population of individuals that can be accounted for environmental variance.

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14
Q

Explain the nature of adoption studies?

A

Adoption studies compare similarity of off springs of biological and adoptive parents. Compare the correlation of a and b.
A) trait similarity of a biological parent and their offspring (genetic)
B) trait similarity of an adoptive parent and their proband (environmental)

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15
Q

Explain the nature of twin studies.

A

Compared MZ and DZ twins reared together or apart.

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16
Q

What were the Telegen (1988) behavioral genetics study of SWB?

A

Telegen compared MZ and DZ twins reared together or apart using the multidimensional personality questionnaire. Found that the wellbeing of MZ twins reared apart was more similar than MZ twins reared together or DZ twins reared together. Meaning there is a strong heritability component. (h = 0.48)

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17
Q

What did Lykken et al (1992) find in their replication of Telegen et al (`1988)?

A

Compared longitudinal dispositional cheerfulness of MZ and DZ twins reared together or apart taking a measurement 10 years apart. Found that 50% of wellbeing is heritable, about 80% of this stable component is heritable. Said that “trying to be happier may be as futile as trying to be taller”

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18
Q

What are the criticisms of the Telegen and Lykken studies on twins? (4)

A
  1. Small N (79 MZ pairs and 48 DZ pairs)
  2. Very rare to have adoption of twins
  3. Only used two time points, and lower time 2 concordance, suggesting small environmental effects
  4. May not be measuring wellbeing after all (dispositional cheerfulness != SWB)
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19
Q

What did Reiman et al (1988) study that went against the Telegan and Lykken studies?

A

Compared short-term mood of MZ and DZ twins reared together or apart. Found a correlation of .18 for negative mood and .11-.16 for positive mood. Meaning shared environment accounted for as much variance as genes.

20
Q

What did the 2015 Bartles meta-analysis of 30 twin family studies show?

A

36% heritability of wellbeing
32% heritability of life-satisfaction
~50% of wellbeing is heritable

21
Q

What are the criticisms of twin studies? (4)

A
  1. Heritability scores are population estimates
  2. Cannot completely control environmental influences to get more accurate estimate. (placenta-sharing)
  3. Current gene/environmental models are additive. But what id there are non-additive effects?
  4. Epigenetics factors
22
Q

Explain the Stress-Diathesis Model.

A

(genotype - diathesis + environment - stress = wellbeing)

23
Q

Explain the four types of gene-environment correlations?

A
  1. Passive gene-environment correlation: parents genotype contributes to offspring genotype and environment
  2. Evocative gene-environment correlation: individuals genotype evokes an environmental response (happy child = produces a happy environment around them)
  3. Active gene-environment response: individual’s genotype predisposes individual toward certain environments
  4. Epigenetic effects: how tightly the DNA is wound affects how genes are expressed
24
Q

How does the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) impact wellbeing?

A

Short variant as a diathesis for negative outcomes, Long variant is positively correlated with well-being.

25
Q

Explain the MAOA Gene.

A

Mutations in the MAOA gene cause monoamine oxidase A deficiency. This condition affects males almost exclusively and is characterized by mild intellectual disability and behavioral problems, including aggressive and violent outbursts.

26
Q

What neural systems are involved in positive affect? (2)

A
  1. Mesolimbic Dopamine System (reward pathway in the brain, learning and positive reinforcement).
  2. Endogenous Opioid System (modulates affective states and motivation, autonomic stress response, reducing sensation of pain, increasing pleasure and euphoria, may be behind “liking”)
27
Q

What is cortisol’s role is well-being?

A

Healthy pattern of cortisol secretion correlated with positive affect and PWB. Cortisol dysregulation implicated in depressive, anxiety disorders and PTSD.

28
Q

What is oxytocin’s role is well-being?

A

Oxytocin and alter dopamine regulation in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Administering oxytocin nasally in humans can increase trust in risky investment game, variants of oxytocin gene correlated with anxiety and emotional well-being.

29
Q

What is serotonin’s role is well-being?

A

SSRIs can treat mood disorders, keeps serotonin in synaptic cleft for longer, studies have linked genes that control serotonin expression to neuroticism and depression.

30
Q

What is the result of asymmetrical activation in the brain?

A

Relatively more left hemispheric activation related to positive emotions and PWB (but not life satisfaction) and the opposite for right hemisphere.

31
Q

Right amygdala activation to positive vs. negative pictures is correlated to which personality trait?

A

Extraversion

32
Q

What is the mirror hypothesis of well-being and ill-being?

A

PWB and PIB are ends of the same spectrum, should have similar biological correlates, but with opposite directional signs.

33
Q

What is the independent construct theory of wellbeing?

A

PWB and PIB are independent constructs. Should have different biological correlates.

34
Q

What neuroendocrine functioning supports the mirror hypothesis? (3)

A
  1. Weight
  2. Glycosylated hemoglobin (blood sugar)
  3. Epinephrine
35
Q

What neuroendocrine functioning supports the independent construct hypothesis? (4)

A
  1. Cortisol (PA)
  2. Norepinephrine
  3. Waist-hip ratio
  4. Systolic blood pressure
36
Q

What did Costa and McCrae find about personality and PWB?

A
  1. Showed that extraversion predicted positive affect
  2. Showed that neuroticism predicted negative affect
    Correlations were weak but stable over time.
37
Q

How does Gray’s psychobiological explanation explain the correlation between personality and SWB?

A

Personality traits represent enduring dispositions that directly lead to SWB.

38
Q

What is BAS?

A

Behavioural activation system: regulated behaviour in the presence of reward and non-punishment signals, controls approach behaviours.

39
Q

How does Extraversion reflect individual differences in BAS strength? (3 steps)

A
  1. Extraverts are more sensitive towards reward signals
  2. Sensitivity is exhibited in the form of enhanced information processing
  3. PA when exposed to positive stimuli
40
Q

What is BIS?

A

Behavioural Inhibition system. Regulates behaviour in the presence of punishment and non-reward signals.

41
Q

How does Neuroticism reflect individual differences in BIS strength? (3)

A

Sensitivity exhibited in form of enhanced information processing and increased NA when exposed to negative stimuli.

42
Q

What is the instrumental view of personality and SWB?

A

Certain personality types lead people to encounter life situations that affect SWB? For example, extraverts spend more time in positive situations.

43
Q

What is the dynamic equilibrium theory of SWB?

A

Personality traits reflect global tendencies to experience life consistently in a positive or negative manner, influencing how we interpret momentary events.

44
Q

What did Deneve and Cooper find in their metaanalysis of personality and SWB findings? (5)

A
  1. Weak correlation between personality and SWB (r = 0.19).
  2. SWB most strongly correlated with repressive defensiveness, tendency to avoid threatening information (r = -.40)
  3. SWB strongly correlated to trust, emotional stability, desire for control, hardiness
  4. SWB linked to emotional tendencies
  5. SWB correlated with the way that people think about what happens in their lives
45
Q

How is agreeableness correlated with PA and NA?

A

PA (r = 0.34)

NA (r = -0.34)

46
Q

How is conscientiousness correlated with PA and NA?

A 
PA = 0.42
NA = -0.33
47
Q

What are the findings of psychological wellbeing and personality? (4)

A
  1. Extraversion, conscientiousness and low N linked to self-acceptance, mastery and purpose in life
  2. Openness to experience linked to personal growth
  3. Agreeableness and extraversion linked to positive relationships
  4. Low neuroticism linked to autonomy

PSY324: The Science of Wellbeing (4 decks)

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