Task 4 - Biological Bases of Personality

Question 1

Neurotransmitters

Answer 1

DOPAMINE
help neurosn send messages in response to pleasure or excitement
novelty seeking
traits of inactive system: exploratory excitability, impulsiveness, extraveagane, disorderliness

SEROTONIN
prevents harmful or unpleasant signals
lowers harm avoidance
traits of inactive system: worry/pessimism, fear of uncertainty, shyness with strangers, and fatigability

NOREPINEPHRINE
ihhibits transmission of signals of conditioned reward
Reward dependence: tendency to develop strong sentimental attachments –> inactive norepinephrine system

Question 2

Brain structures

Answer 2

REINFORCEMENT SENSITIVITY THEORY
certain regions of the brain work togehter as mechanisms/systems that underlie personality
Differences among people is the basis of important personality dimensions
based on animal behavior

BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION (GO) SYSTEM
regions of brain: responsible for receiving singals from nervous system, indicating that rewards are experienced
boosts rewards
people differ in sensitivity to rewards stimuli
-difference: gray: role of brain structures; Cloninger: role of neurotransmitters

BEHAVIORAL INHIBITION (STOP) SYSTEM 
Regions of brain: responsible for receiving signals from the nervous system indication punishments 
encourages avoidance of punishments
People differ in anxiousness and avoidance of pain/danger
Similar to harm avoidance (cloninger)

FIGHT OR FLIGHT SYSTEM
Regions of brain: responsible for motivating extreme reactions in response to extremely threatening situations
Stronger systems: readier to fight or glee when an emergency situation arises
People differ in tendency to show extreme reactions

Question 3

Hormones

Answer 3

=biological chemicals produced in gland of one part of body, then transmitted to other part where they have effects, some influence neuron activity, suggesting influence of behavior and personality

TESTOSTERONE
Triggers development of male reproductive organs
Levels can be influenced by events (competitive situations –> rising after win and vice versa)
Men and women differ greatly in testosterone levels

CORTISOL
Released by adrenal cortex –> response to stress
Causes increase in blood pressure and sugar, and suppression of immune system
Levels might be indicator of emotional reactivity
Little cortisol = emotionally insensitive

OXYTOCIN
Produced in hypothalamus
Released by pituitary gland
Women: giving birth, breastfeeding and experiencing orgasm
Associated with emotional bonding
Levels may contribute to cooperative relationships -> facilitates trust

Question 4

Big Five

Answer 4

EXTRAVERSION
sensitivity to rewards and positive affect

NEUROTICISM
sensitivity to punishment and negative affect

AGREEABLENESS
tendency toward altruism as opposed to exploitation of others

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
top-down control of behavior and impulses in order to follow rules and pursue non-immediate goals

OPENNESS / INTELLECT
tendency to detect, explore, appreciate, and utilize patterns of abstract and sensory information

Question 5

comparison of r-RST with other personality models

Answer 5

r-RST is unique among personality models because it is based on contemporary neuroscience & animal learning
r-RST could be more widely used as strong basic model of temperament –> application at work, clinical, educational and other domains

R-RST
-Strengths:
Strong basic personality model grounded in neuroscience and animal learning
-Weakness:
It has been under-utilized in the literature, which means it does not have the breadth of research compared to other models

HMLP
-Strength:
Includes clear differentiation between the biological basis of sensation seeking and socio-cognitive mediators. Sensation seeking is consitent with BAS in r-RST
-Weakness:
Under-utilized in the literature and no measure of punishment sensitivity

AATM
-S:
Clear differentiation between biological basis and socio-cognitive goals
-W:
limited support because under utilized in the literature
Outdated because bad on o-RST rather than r-RST

PMTC:
-S:
Biological and includes a vast amount of literature in the clinical and medical fields
-W:
Outdated because bad on o-RST rather than r-RST

Question 6

Theoretical model for emergence of individual differences in social regulation

Answer 6

Role for oxytocin in individual differences in response to social support following stress
-Individual differences in ocytocin signalling are relevant during at least two stages of a key psychological feedback loop that operates in the context of acute stress
Role for oxytocin in the early development of stable cognitive representations of realtionships, which in turn influence how individuals use social support to regulate their stress