Trait and Biological Theories

Flashcards covering key concepts and figures in trait and biological theories of personality, including evolutionary perspectives, heritability, trait categories, the Big Five personality traits, and assessment methods.

Evolutionary Theory

Random mutations and variations occur among offspring, who then compete for resources. Beneficial variations are passed to the next generation, becoming more common over time.

Heritability

The proportion of variation in a population's traits that can be attributed to genetics. It cannot explain individual traits, only population-wide trends.

Idiographic Theories

Trait theories that emphasize each person's unique traits.

Nomothetic Theories

Trait theories that focus on quantifying a specific set of traits in each person.

Trait Theories vs Biological Theories

Trait theories seek to describe personality differences, while biological theories attempt to explain them.

Acetylcholine Pathway

More sensitive to stimulation in introverts, so a little distraction goes a long way

Reticular Activating System (Introverts)

This system is more sensitive to stimulation in introverts, so a little distraction goes a long way. During a conversation, an introvert might look down or away to concentrate on saying the right thing.

Hypothalamus (Introverts)

Triggers the parasympathetic nervous system to conserve energy, lowering heart rate and blood pressure. One-on-one conversations provide less distraction for introverts than busy parties.

Dopamine Pathway

Extroverts are less reactive than introverts, so it takes more stimulation to rouse them. They will seek new and exciting things to hold their interest.

Reticular Activating System (Extroverts)

Extroverts are less reactive than introverts, so it takes more stimulation to rouse them. They will seek new and exciting things to hold their interest.

Hypothalamus (Extroverts)

In a hectic environment, an extrovert's hypothalamus triggers the sympathetic nervous system. This activates their 'fight or flight' response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

Gordon Allport

Original developer of the trait perspective and the first to analyze individual differences.

Cardinal Traits

The traits that best define you.

Central Traits

The traits that you consistently display.

Secondary Traits

The traits that you sometimes display.

Raymond Cattell

Developed 'factor analysis' – a statistical analysis technique that identifies traits based on behaviors that tend to coincide.

Hans and Sybil Eysenck

Identified 3 dimensions of personality (PEN: psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism) and claimed they were genetically determined.

The Big Five

Paul Costa and Robert McCrae (2000s): Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness, Extraversion.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2)

Assesses 'abnormal' personality traits using empirically derived items.

Person-Situation Controversy

The debate around how much personality changes situationally, which trait/biological theories don't fully consider.