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perso_finals > Unit 4 > Flashcards

Unit 4 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main objectives of research in behavioral genetics?

A

Determine genetic vs. environmental differences in individual traits
Study gene-environment interaction

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2
Q

What is heritability in the context of behavioral genetics?
(Statistic, Example & Implication)

A

Statistic
proportion of observed variance due to genetic variance

Example
Heritability of 0.5 means 50% of variance is genetic

Implication
Heritability varies and can be modified by environment

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3
Q

What are the major findings from behavioral genetic research on attitudes and preferences?

A

Traditionalism and conservative attitudes show heritability
Occupational preferences influenced by genetics
No heritability for religious beliefs and racial integration attitudes

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4
Q

What are the major findings from behavioral genetic research on drinking and smoking?
(linked to…?)

A

Smoking strongly heritable in twins
Drinking and alcoholism influenced by genetics
Linked to sensation seeking and impulsivity

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5
Q

What is the distinction between shared and nonshared environmental influences?

A

Includes home factors like TV, food quality, parental values

Nonshared Environment
Includes different friends, rooms, activities like summer camp
Important

Both influence personality development

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5
Q

What are the major findings from behavioral genetic research on satisfaction with life and marriage?

A

Life satisfaction linked to purpose, control, social relationships
Genes influence marriage propensity and quality

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6
Q

What is genotype-environment interaction?

A

Different genotypes respond differently to the same environment

Example
Abused children with low MAOA more likely develop antisocial traits than those with high MAOA

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7
Q

What is genotype-environment correlation?

A

Genotypes influence the environment provided by parents

Example
High verbal ability leads to more books and intellectual activities

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8
Q

What is the role of the DRD4 gene in personality traits according to molecular genetics?

A

DRD4 Gene

Located on chromosome 11
Codes for a dopamine receptor
Linked to novelty seeking and risky behaviors
Low dopamine response leads to higher novelty seeking

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9
Q

What are the challenges in molecular genetics research related to personality traits?

A

Challenges
Some studies fail to replicate gene-trait associations
Associations found with anxiety and attention deficit disorder
Focus shifting to gene-environment interactions

Example
5-HTT gene and depressive symptoms with stressful life events

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9
Q

How is brain function measured in personality research?
(nicht novelty seeking one)

A

Brain Function

Measured using PET and fMRI
Working memory and fear centers activated by specific tasks
Higher activity in frontal lobe linked to neuroticism

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9
Q

What is electrodermal activity (skin conductance) and how is it measured?

A

Measures skin’s sweat gland activity
Influenced by sympathetic nervous system
Detected using small electrical currents
Indicates physiological responses to stimuli like anxiety and stress

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10
Q

What is the theoretical bridge between personality and physiology?

A

Bridge

Links personality traits to physiological responses
Environmental conditions evoke specific responses measured physiologically
Explains how physiology influences personality

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10
Q

Which stimuli can elicit electrodermal activity?

A

Stimuli

Sudden noises, emotional images, mental effort, pain, anxiety, fear, guilt

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11
Q

How do physiological differences relate to personality?

A

Explanation

Physiological differences influence psychological functioning
E.g., sensitivity to stimulation affects introversion or extroversion

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12
Q

What are examples of cardiovascular activity measures used in personality research?

A

Blood pressure: pressure exerted by blood inside artery walls
Heart rate (BPM): indicates preparation for action, anxiety, fear, arousal, and cognitive effort

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13
Q

How does brain structure correlate with personality traits?

A

Brain Structure

Extraversion: Larger medial orbitofrontal cortex
Neuroticism: Volume of threat-related regions
Conscientiousness: Thicker cortex in several regions

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14
Q

How is brain electrical activity measured and related to personality traits?

A

Measured with EEG
Extroversion and sensation seeking linked to less activation

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15
Q

How do brain connections relate to personality traits?

A

Openness: Higher connectivity in default brain network
Conscientiousness: Connectivity in executive control centers

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16
Q

What can blood or saliva analyses reveal about personality?

A

Blood or Saliva Analyses
Indicators of hormones (testosterone), immune function (cortisol), neurotransmitter regulation (MAO) and dopamine levels

17
Q

What does Eysenck’s physiological theory of personality propose about extraversion and introversion?

A

Differences in arousability level

Introverts: higher ARAS activity
Extraverts: lower ARAS activity

Optimal activation level varies with tasks and stimulation choices

18
Q

What are the two systems in Jeffrey Gray’s reinforcement sensitivity theory?

A

Behavioral Activation System (BAS)
Responds to rewards
Regulates approach behavior
Linked to positive emotions

Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)
Responds to punishment
Regulates avoidance behavior
Linked to anxiety and fear

19
Q

What is sensation seeking in personality psychology?

A

Sensation Seeking

Thrill-seeking and risk-taking behaviors
Linked to BAS and extraversion
Controlled by MAO enzymes and neurotransmitters

20
Q

How do neurotransmitters relate to personality traits?

A

Neurotransmitters and Personality

Dopamine: pleasure-seeking and novelty seeking
Serotonin: emotional stability and harm avoidance
Norepinephrine: fight-or-flight and reward dependence

21
Q

What are the premises of evolutionary psychology?
(Domain Specificity)

A

Domain Specificity: Adaptations solve specific adaptive problems
Numerousness: Many psychological mechanisms for different problems and functions

22
Q

What does evolutionary psychology say about human nature?

A

Psychological mechanisms help survival and reproduction
Need to belong prevents exclusion
Helping and altruism support survival and kinship

23
Q

What are universal emotions in evolutionary psychology?

A

Universal Emotions

Common to all humans
Includes happiness, disgust, anger, fear, surprise, sadness, contempt

24
Q

What are two additional ways of explaining individual differences from an evolutionary perspective?
(2 Theorien)

A

Frequency-dependent selection
Success of a trait depends on its frequency relative to other traits in the population

Optimum trait levels vary
Optimal trait levels change over time and space based on environmental conditions

24
Q

How do sex differences manifest in jealousy and desire for sexual variety?

A

Jealousy: Men more distressed by sexual infidelity, women by emotional infidelity

Desire: Men seek more sexual variety than women

24
Q

How do cultural differences and universal aspects shape personality?

A

Highly variable: attitudes, values, self-concepts

Universal: shared features across cultures

24
Q

What are the two ways of explaining individual differences from an evolutionary perspective?
(Triggers & Heritable)

A

Environmental triggers
Environmental differences acting on psychological mechanisms

Heritable traits contingent on other traits
Traits advantageous based on other inherited characteristics

24
Q

What are the three major approaches to exploring personality across cultures?

A

80% of study participants from WEIRD countries (12% of world population)
Evoked culture
Transmitted culture
Cultural universals

25
Q

How does the Big Five model explain individual differences from an evolutionary perspective?
(Stable differences & Social strategies)

A

Stable differences
Neuroticism - sensitivity to social exclusion

Social strategies
Extraversion - short-term vs. long-term mating
Agreeableness - cooperation vs. selfishness
Conscientiousness - delayed gratification vs. impulsiveness

25
Q

How does the Big Five model explain individual differences in evolutionary perspective?
(nicht die strategies)

A

Openness: Sage advice
Extraversion: Social hierarchy status
Agreeableness: Cooperation, loyalty
Neuroticism: Resource drain, stress
Conscientiousness: Reliability, industriousness

26
Q

How is culture defined in the context of personality psychology?

A

Set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a group
Enculturation: socialization process
Cultural variations: differences across groups

27
Q

What is evoked culture in the context of personality psychology?

A

Evoked culture: Cultural differences from environmental conditions activating predictable responses

Cooperation and sharing in high-variance conditions

Cultural differences depend on environmental context

28
Q

What are the key differences in the self-concept between collectivistic and individualistic cultures?
(1.)

A

Collectivistic Cultures
Interdependence - connectedness to others - group’s needs over individual

Individualistic Cultures
Independence - autonomy - individual’s importance over group

28
Q

What is transmitted culture in personality psychology?

A

Transmitted culture: Ideas, values, attitudes, and beliefs passed through social interaction

Views on moral behavior guide actions

Cultures differ in right and wrong perceptions

29
Q

What are the key differences in self-concept and information processing between collectivistic and individualistic cultures?

A

Collectivistic Cultures
Use “we” - social roles, family status - holistic, contextual explanations - Japan, China, India

Individualistic Cultures
Use “I” - abstract traits - analytical, isolated explanations - USA

30
Q

What did Robert McCrae and colleagues find in their study of personality profiles across 50 cultures?

A

Similar Big Five scores across cultures using NEO-PI-R
11,985 participants

31
Q

What are the differences in motivation and emotions between collectivistic and individualistic cultures?

A

Motivation
Collectivistic: Avoid losing face - respect by social group
Individualistic: Focus on individual achievement - better for oneself

Emotions
Collectivistic: Other-focused - social worth
Individualistic: Self-focused - inner experience

32
Q

What are the criticisms of the interdependence-independence and collectivist-individualist concepts?

A

Criticisms
Differences are a matter of degree
Broad dichotomies are overly simplistic
Incorporate both self-construals
Vary across social contexts

33
Q

What is the significance of situationism and the three types of learning in the behavioral approach and social learning theory?

A

Situationism: Behavior influenced by situational differences

Three Types of Learning: Classical conditioning - operant conditioning - observational learning

34
Q

What are the three types of learning in the behavioral approach and how do they relate to personality?

A

Classical Conditioning: Associations between stimulus and response

Operant Conditioning: Consequences of actions - reinforcement and punishment

Observational Conditioning: Observing models and their consequences

35
Q

What is the focus of social learning theory in the behavioral approach?

A

Social Learning Theory
Focus on social factors shaping personality
Learning from social models (family, teachers)
Behaviors, beliefs, attitudes observed

36
Q

What are the three mechanisms to shape personality according to Bandura and Walters (1963)?

A

Three Mechanisms
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Modelling/Observational learning: Observer’s behavior changes by observing a model

37
Q

What are vicarious consequences in social learning theory?

A

Vicarious Consequences
Observing outcomes of a model’s behavior
Reinforcement: Increases likelihood to emulate model
Punishment: Reduces likelihood to imitate model

38
Q

What traits are important in selecting a marriage partner according to international samples?

A

Top Traits
Mutual attraction or love
Dependable character
Emotional stability and maturity
Pleasing disposition
Education and intelligence

39
Q

How does partner personality affect marital satisfaction and what is the evocation of hostility?

A

Marital Satisfaction
Partner’s personality affects satisfaction
High Agreeableness - Emotional Stability - Openness increase happiness

Evocation of Hostility
Aggressive people expect hostility - act aggressively - confirm expectations

perso_finals (4 decks)

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