Biological Theories

  • What are biological theories of personality based on? 
    (Biological theories of personality are based on the idea that genetics, brain structure, and physiological processes influence individual differences in behavior and personality.) 

  • How do genes contribute to personality according to biological theories? 
    (Genes are thought to influence personality traits by determining predispositions toward certain behaviors, temperaments, and emotional responses.) 

  • What is the role of the brain in shaping personality according to biological theories? 
    (The brain, particularly areas like the prefrontal cortex and limbic system, plays a key role in regulating emotions, decision-making, and behavior, all of which are crucial for personality development.) 

  • How does the concept of heritability apply to personality? 
    (Heritability refers to the proportion of personality traits that are passed down genetically. Studies suggest that a significant portion of personality traits, such as extraversion and neuroticism, can be inherited.) 

  • What is Eysenck’s theory of personality and its biological basis? 
    (Eysenck proposed that personality is shaped by biological factors such as the level of cortical arousal, with traits like extraversion and neuroticism being linked to physiological differences in brain activity.) 

  • How do neurotransmitters influence personality traits? 
    (Neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are believed to affect mood, behavior, and temperament, influencing traits such as impulsivity, aggression, and emotional stability.) 

  • What role does the autonomic nervous system play in personality development? 
    (The autonomic nervous system, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, influences reactions to stress and arousal, which can shape traits like anxiety, sensation-seeking, and emotional reactivity.) 

  • What is the significance of the "Big Five" personality traits in biological theories? 
    (The "Big Five" model, which includes traits like extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, has been linked to biological factors such as genetic inheritance and brain function.) 

  • How does the idea of temperament fit into biological theories of personality? 
    (Temperament refers to innate predispositions that influence how individuals respond to stimuli and regulate emotions, which forms the foundation of personality development and is thought to have a strong biological basis.) 

  • What are some criticisms of the biological approach to personality? 
    (Critics argue that biological theories may overly emphasize genetics and brain structures, neglecting the role of environment, culture, and individual experiences in shaping personality.) 

  • What part of Phineas Gage’s brain was destroyed in the accident? 
    (Frontal lobe) 

  • What happened to Phineas Gage during the railroad accident in 1848? 
    (An iron tamping rod went through his skull, landing yards away) 

  • How did Phineas Gage’s case contribute to the understanding of personality? 
    (It helped establish the link between the frontal lobe and personality) 

  • What were the long-term effects of Phineas Gage’s brain injury on his personality? 
    (He became irritable, profane, and unable to hold a steady job) 

  • What ultimately caused Phineas Gage’s death? 
    (An epileptic seizure in 1861) 

  • What type of psychiatric surgery was commonly used in the 1940s and 50s to cure aggressive impulses? 
    (Lobotomies) 

  • What was the basic process of performing a lobotomy? 
    (Probes with sharp ends were inserted behind the eye sockets and rotated in an ‘egg beater’ motion) 

  • What were some of the physiological effects of a lobotomy? 
    (Intellectual impairment, seizures, and paralysis) 

  • How did lobotomies affect a person’s psychological state? 
    (Personality changes, including subdued social behavior and impaired rational planning) 

  • What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in personality and behavior? 
    (It integrates processes from other brain regions, and damage disrupts the ability to produce organized social behavior) 

  • What part of the brain coordinates all limb and muscle movements? 
    (Cerebellum) 

  • Which brain region is responsible for processing visual information? 
    (Occipital lobe) 

  • What does the parietal lobe control? 
    (The sense of touch and hand movements) 

  • Which brain area is involved in regulating breathing and heartbeat? 
    (Pons) 

  • What does the thalamus do in the brain? 
    (It relays incoming sensory messages to the appropriate areas of the brain) 

  • What are the functions of the left and right brain hemispheres? 
    (Left hemisphere: analytical function and language; Right hemisphere: visual and spatial skills) 

  • What is the purpose of an EEG (electroencephalography)? 
    (To measure the electrical activity of the brain and diagnose disorders like seizures, brain injuries, and tumors) 

  • How does the PET (positron emission tomography) scan work? 
    (It produces three-dimensional images of the brain to highlight areas of higher metabolic activity) 

  • According to Eysenck’s biological model of personality, what is the function of the ARAS (Ascending Reticular Activating System)? 
    (It regulates the amount of information or stimulation going into the brain and helps maintain alertness) 

  • In Cloninger’s biological model of personality, what is the temperamental domain of ‘novelty seeking’ associated with? 
    (Impulsive behavior and high activation level, connected to dopamine)