Personality and Individual Differences Flashcards
From the Diathesis-Stress Model to the Differential Susceptibility Hypothesis
(Monroe & Simons, 1991)
Early theory on individual differences in environmental sensitivity (in the field of psychopathology). Suggests that some people possess certain traits (whether these be behavioural, physiological or genetic) that result in these individuals being disproportionately vulnerable to, or affected by, environmental stressors.
(Belsky & Pluess, 2009)
Individuals who are most affected by negative environmental influences are also those most affected by positive environmental influences. Consistent with an evolutionary perspective - lower levels of susceptibility to the environment within some members of a given species allows those members to continue to survive without being adversely impacted by negative environmental influences. On the other hand, those with high levels of environmental susceptibility will benefit from positive environmental influences, therefore allowing those positive adaptations to be passed to future generations.
(Slagt et al., 2016)
Children who had more difficult temperaments (higher in negative emotionality) displayed a greater sensitivity to negative parenting approaches while also benefitting more from positive parenting approaches, in comparison to the children with easy temperaments.
(Caspi et al., 2002)
Reported evidence that genotypes can moderate children’s sensitivity to the environment. Maltreated children with a genotype conferring low levels of MAOA expression were more likely to develop antisocial problems - but scored the lowest for antisocial behaviour if they had not experienced childhood maltreatment.
Similar findings the following year for 5-HTTPLR gene (codes for the serotonin transporter molecule) carrying two short alleles - these individuals showed the greatest influence of adverse life experiences on depressive symptoms.
