exam 3: personality psychology

approach goals

goal to approach desired end state

avoidance goals

goal to avoid undesired end state

performance goals

goals focused on demonstrating ability relative to others or achieving specific performance standards.

learning goals

a goal to master new skills

personal project

the “doings” of our daily lives e.g., lose 10 pounds

core project

foundational, self-defining projects e.g., write a book

free trait

strategic (sometimes out of character) behaviors designed to advance core projects e.g., situational extraversion

self-regulation

control of one’s behavior (in service of personal goals)

self-control

inhibiting/restraining impulses

successful goal pursuit

implementation intentions, self-control, good habits

habit

learned act that becomes an automatic response to a specific cue

implementation intention

how, when, and where of a goal pursuit; if X happens then I’ll do Y

self presentation

how people present themselves/attempt to shape how others view them

machiavellianism

propensity to distrust, seek control, seek status, and engage in amoral manipulation

lemon test

introverts should salivate more in response to the sour taste from lemon juice

BAS (behavioral activation system)

areas of the brain sensitive to the presence/possibility of reward

BIS (behavioral inhibition system)

areas of the brain sensitive to the presence/possibility of punishment

openness and brain structure

not many consistent findings

conscientiousness and brain structure

positive association with brain volume in areas responsible for planning and executive control

extraversion and brain structure

correlated with high brain volume in areas sensitive to reward processing (e.g., BAS)

neuroticism and brain structure

correlated with high brain volume in threat processing areas (e.g., BIS)

neurotransmitter

chemicals involved in sending messages along neural paths

serotonin

low levels are associated with neuroticism, is involved with mood, sleep, appetite, and aggression

dopamine

involved with movement, mood, motivation (reward), and learning

MAO

breaks down neurotransmitters, effects neurotransmitter levels, low levels associated with impulsivity and aggression

norepinephrine

regulates sympathetic nervous system, fight or flight response

meta-trait

high-order personality factor that combines several of the big 5 traits (stability and plasticity)

sensation-seeking

personality trait describing desire to seek new, varied, and exciting experiences

testosterone

associated with aggression and dominant behavior

oxytocin

associated with social bonding, lower lifetime aggression, and fostering trust

biological perspective evaluation

falsifiable, is supported by data, studies are difficult to conduct/replicate, correlation/not necessarily causational

gene

a specific segment of DNA that codes for something (usually a protein)

chromosome

a threadlike structure of DNA

allele

1 of 2 or more alternative “versions” of a gene

genotype

an organism’s genetic makeup

phenotype

observable characteristic of the interaction between genotype and environment

monozygotic twins

1 egg → 2 kids, share 100% of DNA

dizygotic twins

2 eggs → 2 kids, 50% of DNA shared

twin study

examines monozygotic and dizygotic twins that have been raised together

adoption study

compares adopted children to adoptive parents and biological parents

twin-adoption study

compares MZ twins raised together vs. MZ twins raised apart

heritability

estimate of genetic influence on a particular trait within a sample group/population

temperament

inherited personality trait present in early childhood

gene x environment

genes and environment work together to shape personality

epigenetics

environmental influence on gene expression without changing DNA

absolute/individual-level change

how you change in relation to yourself

mean-level change

increase/decrease in average level of a trait in a group

rank-order change

how you change in relation to others

personality change vs. stability evidence

evidence for rank-order change being stable, moderate evidence for absolute change levels (there’s evidence for change and stability)

throughout adulthood people tend to become more…

socially dominant, conscientious, agreeable, and emotionally stable

sources of personality change

biological maturation and social roles/expectations

social investment theory

idea that our personalities mature as we settle into adult roles

anxious attachment

uncertain and clingy, cries when mom is gone and cries when she comes back

avoidant attachment

little/no reaction to mom leaving or coming back

secure attachment

cries when mom leaves but is easily comforted

bartholomew and horowitz

attachment styles on a scale from more → less avoidant and more → less anxious

internal working model

mental representation of our attachment style and expectations about relationships

internalization

processes by which attachment becomes a part of our adult personalities

attachment and current experiences

moderately stable but there’s evidence they can change

attachment and genetics

evidence for heritability of anxious and avoidant styles, mixed evidence for the genetic component

big 5 and romance

more similar big 5 results suggest lower marital satisfaction over time

complementarity hypothesis

partners may be more satisfied when they differ on certain traits

agreeableness and friendship

positive effects over time

neuroticism and extraversion and friendship

negative effects over time

conscientiousness and friendship

may be helpful in maintaining relationships

openness

correlated with having more friends but not necessarily having close friends