Biological Theories PPT

Biological Basis of Personality

  • Explores how genetic and physiological factors influence individual behavior and traits.

Eysenck’s Biological Model of Personality and Arousal

  • Excitatory and inhibitory neural mechanisms are regulated by the Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS).

  • Extraversion and Neuroticism are correlated with levels of arousal.

Eysenck's Biological Model of Personality

  • Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS):

    • Balances excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms.

    • Reticulo-cortical System: Manages arousal from incoming stimuli.

    • Reticulo-limbic System: Manages arousal related to emotional stimuli.

  • Arousal Levels:

    • High Arousal: High response to stimuli (Extravert, Neurotic).

    • Low Arousal: Low response (Introvert, Emotionally stable).

Gray's BAS/BIS Theory

  • Behavioural Approach System (BAS):

    • Focuses on seeking rewards and pursuing goals.

  • Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS):

    • Focuses on avoiding punishment and regulating emotions.

Gray's BAS/BIS Theory Details

  • BAS:

    • Tendency to seek rewards and perceive events as rewarding.

    • Characterizes impulsive individuals.

  • BIS:

    • Tendency to avoid punishment and perceive potential threats.

    • Characterizes highly anxious individuals.

Gray's Model and Eysenck's Model of Personality

  • Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) vs. Behavioural Approach System (BAS):

    • Low anxiety (Gray) correlates with Extraversion (Eysenck).

    • High impulsivity (Gray) correlates with low Neuroticism (Eysenck).

    • Neuroticism (Eysenck) correlates with high anxiety (Gray) and low impulsivity (Gray) correlates with Introversion (Eysenck).

Cloninger’s Biological Model of Personality

  • Temperament Domains:

    • Novelty seeking

    • Harm avoidance

    • Reward dependence

    • Persistence

  • Character Domains:

    • Self-directedness

    • Co-operativeness

    • Self-transcendence

Biological Theories of Personality - Weaknesses

  • Lack of consistent evidence across studies.

  • Oversimplification of complex brain processes.