PS320: Exam #2

Chapters 6, 7, 9, & 10

Selective Breeding

breeding for particular characteristics

Family studies

studying traits that run in families

Twin studies

comparing similarities of Fraternal DZ (dizygotic) and Identical MZ (monozygotic) twins

Adoption Studies

comparing adopted children to both biological and adoptive parents

Extraversion

60%

Neuroticism

54-70%

Activity Level

40%

Aggressiveness

51-72%

Shyness

44%

Traditionalism

59%

Occupational Preference

71%

Belief in God

0% in youth, 44% in adulthood

Homosexuality consistency in monozygotic twins

20-24%

Alcoholism

67-71%

Marriage

68%

Satisfaction with marriage

50%

Shared environment

features among siblings in the same family

nonshared environment

features unique to each sibling

adoption studies

environment has a -5% influence on personality (despite growing up with different parents in different environments personality traits stay the same)

Passive Genotype

Parents provide both genes and an environment that fosters their Childs inherited tendencies

Example: musically talented parents playing music at home will influence a child’s musical development

Active Genotype

Individuals seek out environments that complement their genetic predispositions.

Example: an adventurous child joining a hiking club to satisfy their need for excitement

Reactive Genotype

Individuals elicit responses from their environment based on their genetic traits

Example: a naturally extroverted child receives more social engagement from peers and adults

Lick your rats Study

rats who were licked had low stress levels and were high-licking mothers when they grew up

rats who didn’t lick their pups grew to have high stress and did not lick their offspring

Cross-fostering: rearing pups to opposite mothers, non licked, licked and licked also licked

BAS- Behavioral Activation System

responsive to rewards, linked to impulsivity and extraversion

BIS- Behavioral Inhibition System

responsive to punishment, linked to anxiety and introversion

Eysenck: Extraverts

seek stimulation, lower baseline arousal

Eysenck: Introverts

avoid stimulation, higher baseline arousal

Eyesnck: ARAS (ascending reticular activating system)

regulates cortical arousal (wakefulness, alertness, & readiness for action)

Hebb’s Theory

individuals seek optimal arousal levels

Zuckermans Research

Sensation seekers have low Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) levels, leading to higher neurotransmitter availability

Dopamine

reward & addiction

Serotonin

Affects mood stability

Norepinephrine

involved in fight or flight response

Shorter circadian rhythm (less than 24 hours)

morning person

Longer circadian rhythm (longer than 24 hours)

evening person

Left hemisphere

associated with positive emotions, happy people show greater left frontal EEG activity

right hemisphere

associated with negative emotions, sad people show greater right frontal EEG activity

Id (kid)

primitive urges, operates on the pleasure principle

Ego (self)

balances reality and urges, operates on the reality principle

Superego (superhero)

internalized moral values, enforces right and wrong

Neurotic anxiety

ego vs id conflict (fear of punishment)

Moral anxiety

ego vs superego conflict (guilt)

Objective anxiety

ego vs reality conflict (exaggerated fears)

Repression

pushing anxiety-inducing thoughts into the unconcious

denial

refusing to accept reality

rationalization

justifying behaviors with false reasoning

withdrawal

removing oneself from a stressful situation

manifest content (dream analysis)

surface meaning

latent content (dream analysis)

hidden meaning

Functions of dreams

wish fulfillment, anxiety release, maintaining sleep

Neo-Analytic Movement

Updated Freud’s theory to focus on childhood relationships & social conflicts

Westen’s Five Postulates (1)

unconscious plays a role but is not all-powerful

Westen’s 5 postulates (2)

behavior is a compromise between emotions, thoughts, and motivations

Westen’s 5 postulates (3)

childhood influences personality and relationships

Westen’s 5 postulates (4)

mental representations shape interactions

Westen’s 5 postulates (5)

personality develops through regulating emotions and achieving independence

Hypnosis

concerns about the potential to induce false memories

lack of clear scientific consensus on its effectiveness

a misuse in legal settings

confirmation bias

people seek information that confirms their beliefs

Imagination inflation effect

imagining an event makes it feel real

nervous system

brain & nerves

cardiac system

heart, arteries, & veins

muscoskeletal system

bones & muscles

How does anxiety build? (Hydraulic Analogy)

source, impetus, object, aim

Unconscious motivation

Hidden desires, drives, or impulses that influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions without our conscious awareness, often stemming from unresolved conflicts of early experiences

Stages of personality development (1)

oral (0-1): pleasure from sucking & biting

Example: a baby uses a pacifier for comfort

Stages of personality development (2)

anal (1-3): focus on toilet training & control

Example: a child feels pride in using the toilet independently

Stages of personality development (3)

phallic (3-6): development of the oedipus and electra (id, etc) complexes

Example: A child prefers the attention of the opposite-sex parent

Stages of personality development (4)

Latency (6-12): focus on social and intellectual skills

example: a child forms friendships and developing hobbies

Stages of personality development (5)

Genital (12+): sexual maturity and romantic relationships

Example: a teenager experiencing romantic attraction

Trust vs mistrust (0-1)

developing faith in caregivers

Example: a baby feeling secure when fed and comforted

autonomy & shame & doubt (1-3)

developing independence

Example: a toddler insisting on dressing themselves

Initiative vs guilt (3-6)

exploring actions & consequences

Example: a child taking the lead in a game but feeling guilty if they break the rules

Industry vs inferiority (6-12)

building confidence through achievements

example: a student feeling competent after excelling in school

Identity vs role confusion (12-18)

exploring personal identity

example: a teenager trying different styles and interests to find the right way to express themselves

Intimacy vs isolation (18-40)

forming close relationships

example: a young adult establishing a deep romantic partnership

generatively vs stagnation (40-65)

contributing to society

Example: a middle-aged adult mentoring younger coworkers

Integrity vs despair (65+)

reflecting on life

Example: an elderly person feeling peace with their past decisions