Week 4

Question 1

Eysenck’s theory of I & E

Answer 1

Eysenck theorised that I & E we’re drives of personality ans bioligically based.

I = higher testing levels of cortical arousal - less need for stimulation, risk of being over stimulated in social situations.

E = lower cortical arousal. Pleasure in social settings.

Question 2

What did Eysenck say N did to I & E

Answer 2

N has a biological basis and would make a person more emotionally sensitive.

When a person was higher in N they would be “more of what they are” ie. more I or more E

Question 3

Would a person with high I need more or less of a depressant drug to feel the effects?

Answer 3

More - higher cortical arousal would require more of a depressant drug to feel the effects

Question 4

What is the function approach to understanding personality?

Answer 4

Biological systems - nervous system/endocrine system and its effect on behaviour (how the body functions to create personality)

Question 5

BAS??

Answer 5

Behavioural activation system

“Go” get that cheese system.

Reward-seeking.

Question 6

Does the BAS create motives to seek pleasure/reward when not exposed to a stimuli?

Answer 6

No, it is a reactionary system to external stimuli. Not involved in creating incentive.

Question 7

What emotions are been linked to the BAS?

Answer 7

Positive emotions:

Hope, eagerness and excitement.

Related to anticipation of a reward

Question 8

Where is the BAS located?

Answer 8

Left prefrontal cortex

Question 9

What does someone with a higher base level of BAS do when they see a happy film?

Answer 9

Have a positive response. Higher BAS levels related to positive emotion.

Question 10

Which biobehavioural system had effortful control been linked to?

Answer 10

BAS - higher sense of reward, more willing to endure hardship to reach reward.

Question 11

Which area of the brain is larger in Extraverts?

Answer 11

Medial Orbitofrontal Cortex.

Associated with approach reward

Question 12

What happens when you’re compelled towards a reward, but it is thwarted?

Answer 12

Negative emotions - frustration anger.

BAS associated with negative emotions when rewards are not met.

Question 13

Are there any differences in BAS function within relationships?

Answer 13

Yes, there have been studies of couples which have shown higher sensitivity to reward within relationships

Question 14

What neurotransmitter is associated with reward?

Answer 14

Dopamine

Question 15

How does dopamine affect learning?

Answer 15

Dopamine responds to situations that are worse and better than expected. Levels are not changed when the expected happens.

This creates a reward system for novel events and may be important in the motivation to learn.

Unsure if dopamine assists with performance.

Question 16

What are the two approach systems discussed in the text?

Answer 16

BAS - left prefrontal cortex

Dopamine system

Question 17

What is the avoidance or withdrawal system sensitive to?

Answer 17

Cues of punishment and danger

Question 18

What feelings are related to the avoidance and withdrawal system?

Answer 18

Anxiety, fear, guilt and revolution

Question 19

What area of the brain is activated in avoidance withdrawal system

Answer 19

Right prefrontal cortex

Question 20

Davidson 1997

Answer 20

That anxiety is related to an avoidance system in the right prefrontal cortex

Question 21

What learning style is associated with avoidance withdrawal system

Answer 21

Negative reinforcement/punishment - You little worm!!! Do another push up!!

Question 22

Do the BAS and avoidance/withdrawal system work independently? And does having a higher resting score in one mean having a lower resting score in the other?

Answer 22

Yes - they work independently.

No - you can have any combination of high/low resting scores in either system creating many variation of reward/punishment approach/avoid behaviour

Question 23

GABA

Answer 23

gamma aminobutyric acid

Question 24

GABA associated with which disorder ?

Answer 24

Anxiety, particularly panic disorders

Question 25

Apart from GABA what neurotransmitter is linked with anxiety?

Answer 25

Norepinephrine

Question 26

What biobehavioral system and neurotransmitters are associated with NA/N

Answer 26

Avoidance/withdrawal system (Right PFC)

GABA

norepinephrine

Question 27

What biobehavioral system and neurotransmitter is associated with PA/E

Answer 27

BAS left PRC

Dopamine

Question 28

Does BAS explain social approach?

Answer 28

There are multiple theories about the function of BAS. Some do not include social approach and believe there is a subsystem in play. See table p91

Question 29

What is the difference between approach and sociability

Answer 29

Approach relates to sensitivity to reward in general (social or non-social stimuli)

Sociability relates only to engaging socially

Question 30

IUSS

Answer 30

Impulsive Unsocialised Sensation Seeking

Zuckerman

Question 31

What is the female Fight or flight and why is it important?

Answer 31

Tend and befriend - parenting responsibilities mean there is an evolutionary benefit to social cohesion and not fleeing or fighting

Question 32

Apart from mother-child bonding, what is oxytocin important for.

Answer 32

Social bonding, especially amongst women

Question 33

What may happen to people with high levels of sensation seeking in undemanding situations

Answer 33

They may be antisocial