Flashcards Psychology Lectures 6–8: Intelligence, Emotion, Personality & Development

What is a gene?

A unit of heredity transferred from parent to offspring.

What percentage of genetic material do humans inherit from sperm and egg?

50% from sperm and 50% from egg.

What do genes encode for?

Proteins, which are essential structural components of every organism.

How many different genes do humans have?

Approximately 19,000 to 20,000 different genes.

What is genetic variation?

Differences in alleles that can lead to differences in proteins and nervous system function.

What are monozygotic twins?

Identical twins formed from a single fertilized egg that splits.

What are dizygotic twins?

Non-identical twins formed from two different eggs and sperm.

What does heritability (H2) represent?

The proportion of phenotypic variation that can be attributed to genetic factors.

What is the formula for heritability?

H2 = VG / VP, where VG is genetic variation and VP is phenotypic variation.

What is the nature vs nurture debate?

The discussion about the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to individual traits.

What is the significance of reproductive fitness in traits?

Certain traits become common because they are associated with increased reproductive success.

What is the G factor in intelligence?

A statistical construct representing general intelligence that influences performance across various cognitive tasks.

What is factor analysis?

A statistical method used to estimate the G factor by analyzing correlations between different tests.

What does the term 'positive manifold' refer to?

The observation that people tend to score similarly across different cognitive tests.

What is the WAIS test?

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, a test that measures various aspects of intelligence.

What is the median IQ score?

The median IQ score is 100, with a standard deviation of 15.

What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?

A cognitive bias where individuals with low ability overestimate their competence.

How is IQ related to profession?

IQ is positively correlated with performance in professions, especially those that are highly complex.

What are some correlates of IQ?

IQ is positively correlated with longevity and height, and negatively correlated with criminal behavior and divorce rates.

What does it mean when intelligence is described as a predictor of success?

Higher IQ scores are associated with greater success in various life outcomes, though not the sole predictor.

What is the relationship between high IQ and leadership?

High IQ may correlate with leadership performance, but very high IQ can be associated with lower perceived leadership.

What role do genes play in intelligence?

Genes influence intelligence, but environmental factors and randomness also play significant roles.

What is pleiotropy in genetics?

The phenomenon where one gene regulates multiple traits.

What are G x E correlations?

Interactions where genetic predispositions influence the environments individuals are drawn to.

What are G x E interactions?

Interactions where genetic factors affect an individual's response to environmental influences.

What is the importance of context in heritability estimates?

Heritability estimates can vary significantly across different populations and contexts.

What are barriers in cognitive testing?

Language ability and cultural differences can affect the applicability of cognitive tests across groups.

What does G x E correlation refer to?

It refers to how genes for IQ might attract individuals to environments that maximize IQ.

What is the Flynn Effect?

The Flynn Effect suggests that environmental factors significantly influence IQ, as evidenced by rapid increases over approximately 50 years.

What are some potential factors contributing to the Flynn Effect?

Factors include nutrition, changes in home environments, world complexity, and test complexity.

What is a possible explanation for the cessation of the Flynn Effect?

A ceiling effect of the environment might limit further increases in IQ.

What has been observed regarding environmental enrichment and cognitive ability?

Most treatments, such as cognitive training, have failed to produce lasting increases in cognitive ability.

What are some negative effects of bad environments on IQ?

Negative effects include low resources, malnutrition, pollution, poor relationships, stress, unsafe living conditions, and labor demands.

How does scarcity mentality affect cognition?

Scarcity and worry about resources can impair cognition, leading to further financial difficulties and stress.

What is the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset regarding intelligence?

A fixed mindset views intelligence as innate and unchangeable, while a growth mindset believes intelligence can be developed through effort and learning.

How is reaction time related to IQ?

Reaction time is negatively correlated with IQ; faster reaction times are associated with higher IQ.

What brain characteristics are correlated with IQ?

IQ is correlated with white matter integrity, brain size, neuron number, and cortical thickness.

What cognitive decline is commonly observed with aging?

Cortical thickness declines with age, contributing to cognitive decline, with speed declines occurring before accuracy declines.

What is the relationship between education and cognitive decline?

Education is associated with less cognitive decline, although this is correlational.

What is the positive manifold in intelligence testing?

The positive manifold refers to the observation that different cognitive abilities tend to correlate positively, especially evident in low IQ ranges.

What are the two types of intelligence in Cattell and Horn's model?

Fluid intelligence (reasoning and speeded performance) and crystallized intelligence (accumulated knowledge and experiences).

What are the three types of intelligence in Sternberg's Theory?

Analytical intelligence (problem-solving), creative intelligence (innovative problem-solving), and practical intelligence (common sense).

What is a criticism of Sternberg's Theory of Intelligence?

Practical intelligence is not considered independent of general intelligence (g), and proving a causal relationship with job performance is difficult.

What are Gardner's Eight Intelligences?

Naturalist, spatial, linguistic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, logical-mathematical, musical, and bodily-kinesthetic.

What is a criticism of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences?

There is ambiguity regarding the criteria that define a specific intelligence.

What does the term 'Matthew Effect' refer to in intelligence?

The Matthew Effect suggests that those with higher IQs do not always learn faster, contrary to some expectations.

What is the significance of cortical thickness in relation to aging?

Declines in cortical thickness with age may contribute to cognitive decline.

What is emotional intelligence?

The ability to perceive, understand, facilitate, and manage emotions.

Who popularized the concept of emotional intelligence?

Daniel Goleman in 1995.

What are the four branches of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT)?

Perceiving emotion, understanding emotion, facilitating thought with emotion, and managing emotions.

What does the branch 'perceiving emotion' involve?

The ability to identify emotion in faces and pictures.

What is the focus of the 'understanding emotion' branch?

Comprehending emotional information about relationships and transitions between emotions.

What does 'facilitating thought with emotion' mean?

Harnessing emotional information to enhance thinking.

What is the purpose of 'managing emotions'?

To manage emotions and emotional relationships for personal and interpersonal growth.

What is the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance?

Tests of emotional intelligence have shown modest correlations with job performance, academic performance, and relationship quality.

What is language?

An arbitrary system of communication that combines symbols to create meaning.

How is language acquired?

Through observational learning, statistical association, social interaction, experimentation, and reinforcement.

What are phonemes?

Contrastive sounds in language that vary by language.

What are morphemes?

The smallest units of meaning in a language.

What is syntax?

The set of grammatical rules that control how words are put together to form sentences.

What is language lateralization?

The tendency for language functions to be localized in the left hemisphere of the brain in 70-90% of people.

What is Broca's aphasia?

A condition where comprehension is relatively intact, but speech is impaired.

What is Wernicke's aphasia?

A condition where comprehension is impaired, but speech is fluent and nonsensical.

What is the sensitive period for language acquisition?

The period between ages 3-7, during which language acquisition is easiest.

What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

The theory that the structure of a language affects its speakers' perceptions and categorization of experience.

What is affective forecasting?

The process of predicting future emotional states, often leading to overestimation of emotional impact.

What is incidental emotion?

Emotions that influence decision-making but are unrelated to the decision at hand.

What is integral emotion?

Emotions that are directly related to a decision and its anticipated consequences.

What is the impact bias?

The tendency to overestimate the intensity and duration of future emotional states.

What percentage of the world is bilingual?

Approximately 50%, with lower rates in North America (20%).

What is the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive abilities?

Current research suggests that bilinguals may have better cognitive abilities compared to monolinguals.

What is the role of contextual information in language?

Context is crucial for understanding language and its meanings.

What is the significance of language development milestones in children?

Children typically begin babbling around 7 months and start using common words by 10-12 months.

What are pure aphasias?

Rare conditions where only one aspect of language is impaired, as opposed to mixed aphasias which are more common.

What does Ekman's Theory propose about emotions?

It proposes 6 discrete emotions, each tied to a different facial expression.

What are the three main approaches to understanding emotions?

Basic/Discrete, Dimensional, and Constructionist approaches.

How many core emotions are identified in Plutchik's model?

8 core emotions in opposed pairs.

What is the Facial Action Coding System (FACS)?

A system that taxonomizes facial movements and associates combinations of movements with emotions.

What is the Facial Feedback Hypothesis?

It suggests that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.

What is the Reading Minds through The Eyes Test (RMET)?

A test that assesses the ability to understand emotions through eye expressions.

What are the physiological responses involved in emotions?

Responses from the autonomic nervous system that can include involuntary effects.

What does the James-Lange Theory of emotion state?

It states that an event leads to arousal, which is then interpreted as emotion.

What is the Cannon-Bard Theory of emotion?

It posits that an event leads to simultaneous arousal and emotion.

What does Schachter-Singer's Two-Factor Theory propose?

It suggests that an event leads to arousal, which is then labeled cognitively to produce emotion.

What is a common reason people lie?

To avoid punishment or embarrassment.

What is the average frequency of lying reported by individuals?

Most people lie about 2 times a day, but many never lie in a typical 24-hour period.

What is the role of body language in expressing emotions?

Body language can parallel facial expressions and is similar in sighted and blind individuals.

What is drive reduction theory?

It suggests that drives push us towards balance, such as maintaining blood sugar levels.

What is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

A theory that categorizes human needs into a hierarchy, from basic physiological needs to self-actualization.

How does the concept of hedonic impact relate to motivation?

It refers to the pleasure derived from an activity, influencing the motivation to engage in it.

What is the significance of cultural differences in emotional expression?

Cultural context can influence the meaning of emotional expressions and display rules.

What is the criticism of older studies on emotional expression?

They often used exaggerated expressions and did not account for contextual factors.

What is the impact of context on emotional interpretation?

Context can significantly alter the perception of emotions, such as tears of joy versus tears of sadness.

What is the relationship between power poses and emotion?

Initial research suggested power poses could change emotion and physiology, but results are difficult to replicate.

What are hybrid or mixed emotional states?

Emotional states that combine elements of different core emotions, emphasizing complexity.

What is the role of cognition in emotional experience?

Cognition, experience, and culture are increasingly accepted as influential in shaping emotions.

What is the validity of the polygraph as a lie detector?

While it measures physiological changes associated with lying, its accuracy is too variable for reliable use.

What is the impact of experience on emotional expression?

Experience can shape the expression and interpretation of emotions, leading to a variety of emotional responses.

What is the significance of the relationship between emotion and physiological changes?

Physiological changes can contribute to emotions, but they are not always temporally aligned.

What are the five tiers of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Physiological needs, Safety needs, Love and belonging, Esteem, Self-actualization.