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Personality and Individual differences W EDIT > Problem 4 > Flashcards

Problem 4 Flashcards

1
Q

What were Galens + Hippocrates early ideas on how personality relates to the body ?

A

Thought there were 4 humors, each of which was responsible for a particular pattern of personality

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2
Q

Cloningers theory

A

Suggests that

a) Dopamine promotes Novelty Seeking: The tendency to seek pleasure and excitement
b) Serotonin inhibits Harm avoidance: Tendency to avoid pain and anxiety
c) Norepinephrine inhibits Reward Dependence: Tendency to develop strong sentimental attachements

–> empirical studies have produced mixed results

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3
Q

What is Dopamine ?

What kind of personality dimension does its release elicit according to Cloninger ?

A
  1. A neurotransmitter that facilitates the transmission of signals of reward
  2. “Novelty seeking”, which is the tendency to seek pleasure + reward
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4
Q

What is Serotonin ?

What kind of personality dimension does its release elicit according to Cloninger ?

A
  1. A neurotransmitter that inhibits the transmission of signals of punishment
  2. An inactive serotonin system will elicit “Harm avoidance”, which is the tendency to avoid pain + anxiety
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5
Q

What is Norepinephrine ?

What kind of personality dimension does its release elicit according to Cloninger ?

A
  1. A neurotransmitter that inhibits the transmission of signals of conditioned reward
    * stimuli that in past have been associated with reward
  2. An inactive norepinephrine system will elicit “Reward dependence”, which is the tendency to develop strong sentimental attachments
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6
Q

Reinforcement sensitivity theory

(Gray)

A

Suggests that certain regions of the brain work together as systems that underlie personality

–> differences among people in the activity of these systems are the basis of important personality dimensions

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7
Q

Behavioral activation system/BAS (Gray)

A

Involves regions of the brain that indicate that rewards are being experienced

  1. “go” system, as it encourages the pursuit of rewards
  2. People differ in their tendency to be impulsive
  3. Similar to novelty seeking –> NAC
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8
Q

Behavioral inhibition system/BIS

(Gray)

A

Involves regions of the brain that indicate that punishments are being experienced

  1. “stop” system, as it encourages the avoidance of punishments
  2. People differ in their levels of anxiety
  3. Similar to harm avoidance –> amygdala
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9
Q

Fight-or-flight system/FFS (Gray)

A

Involves regions of the brain that motivate extreme reactions (fighting vs fleeing) in extremely threatening situations

  1. People differ in their tendency to show extreme reactions
  2. Similar to reward dependence

–> hypothalamus, amygdala

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10
Q

Psychobiological theory of personality

(Eysenck)

A

Similar to Grays theory, this one suggests that certain regions of the brain work together, where different “factors” underlie personality

–> forerunner of Grays theory

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11
Q

Extraversion factor

(Eysenck)

A

Differences stem from the strength of peoples reactions to stimulation of their senses

–> some prefer strong sensations (extroverts) , some less (introverts)

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12
Q

Which brain mechanism governs the individual differences in Extraversion ?

How does it achieve this ?

A
  1. Ascending reticular activating system (ARAS)

–> located in Brain stem

  1. Regulates the amount of stimulation that is admitted to the brain from NS
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13
Q

Neuroticism factor

(Eysenck)

A

Differences stem from the strength of peoples reactions to stressful stimuli

–> high vs low levels of anxiety

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14
Q

Which brain mechanisms govern the individual differences in Neuroticism ?

How do they achieve this ?

A
  1. Segments of the limbic system
  2. It regulates responses to stress

–> if LS tends to be overwhelmed by stressful stimuli = neurotic personality

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15
Q

Psychoticism factor (Eysenck)

A

Refers to a dimension that includes traits such as

a) aggressiveness
b) manipulation
c) tough-mindedness

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16
Q

Which brain mechanisms govern the individual differences in Psychotocism ?

A

Differing levels in testosterone + low levels of mono-amine oxidase

17
Q

Testosterone

A

Is a hormone that is associated with disinhibited behavior

e.g.: higher levels tend to be correlated with aggression

18
Q

Cortisol

A

Is a hormone that is triggered by physical or psychological stress

  • serves as an indicator of an individuals overall emotional reactivity/ reactions to stress
    e. g.: smaller levels indicate emotional insensitivity

–> related to FFS

19
Q

Oxytocin

A

Is a hormone that plays a role in establishing attachments between persons/ emotional bonding

  • produced in the hypothalamus + released by the pituitary gland
  • interrelated with dopamine

e.g.: higher levels are associated with more trusting people

20
Q

In which way does the o-RST differ from the r-RST ?

A

The original model mainly focused on motivational systems, e.g. BIS vs BAS which were poorly defined + understood

–> the revised model is more comprehensive, due to is better definitions of each proposed system, more biologically based

21
Q

Personality neuroscience

A

The aim is to understand both the biological systems that are responsible for the states associated with traits + the parameters of those systems that cause them to function differently in different individuals

  1. Has focused primarily on traits which are relatively stable patterns of behavior, motivation, emotion + cognition
  2. Rests on the premise that the whole person can’t be understood without understanding the brain

–> EEF, fMRI

22
Q

Lemon juice test

(Eysenck)

A

A researcher drops small amounts of lemon juice onto the tongues of participants, the measures the amounts of saliva that each participant produces in response

–> introverted participants would tend to produce the greatest amounts of saliva

23
Q

Mono amine oxidase (MAO)

A

Is an enzyme that is involved in removing Dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine

–> thus low levels will result in higher levels of those neurotransmitters and more positive feelings

24
Q

Zuckermans criticism

A

The biological bases of personality are likely to be more complex than indicated by Eysenck, Clonginger and Gray

25
Q

How does oxytocin act in the brain ?

Modes of communication ?

A

1. Dynamic concept

  • depending on the brain region or stimulus, oxytocin’s mode of communication differs

2. Volume transmission

  • oxytocin has a free dimensional dilusion, meaning it can travel anywhere, which makes it hard to track

3. Priming hypothesis

  • it has a prolonged effect due to its structure, it can live longer in the brain
26
Q

Eysenck proposed 3 major dimensions of personality. Name them.

A
  1. Extraversion factor
  2. Neuroticism factor
  3. Psychoticism factor
27
Q

What kind of hormones influence the way oxytocin develops in our brains ?

A

Sex-hormones.

–> This suggests that the way oxytocin will work in our brain differs for each gender

28
Q

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide.

What does that mean ?

A
  1. It has a more complex structure than neurotransmitters, therefore degrades slower in the brain
  2. Due to its structure it can dilute everywhere, which is why its hard to track
29
Q

People with low levels of oxytocin are often … ?

A

Stressed

–> the more perceived emotional support + oxytocin, the less stressed

30
Q

Comparing Gray’s & Eysenck’s Dimensions

A
  • Gray’s Behavioural Activation System similar to Eysenck’s Extraversion
  • Gray’s Behavioural Inhibition System similar to Eysenck’s Neuroticism
  • Gray’s Fight-or-Flight is seems similar to Eyenck’s Psychoticism but research is difficult

Personality and Individual differences W EDIT (9 decks)

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