Chapter 7

BIOLOGICAL APPROACH I

Introduction

  • Overview of the Biological Approach to psychology.

    • Understanding how biological structures affect human behavior and personality.

Temperament

  • Definition of temperament.

    • Individual differences in emotional responsiveness.

    • Present in early life and has a heritable basis.

Biological Structures / Systems

  • Examination of how biological structures relate to personality.

Relation to Personality

  • Analysis of personality as influenced by biological factors.

ROADMAP

  • Introduction to Biological Approach

    • Overview of biological underpinnings of behavior and personality.

  • Temperaments; Three Factor Model

    • Exploration of the three-factor model of temperament (including positive and negative dimensions).

  • Biology / Behavior Relationships

    • Discussion of the relationship between biology and behavior, including:

    • Gray's Behavioral Activation System (BAS) & Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)

    • Lateralization of the Prefrontal Cortex

    • Frontal Lobes and their significance

    • Role of Neurotransmitters in behavior and personality.

INTRODUCTION TO THE BIOLOGICAL APPROACH

  • Biological Creatures

    • Humans are biologically rooted beings, influencing behavior and personality.

  • Two Main Areas of Biological Approach

    • Complex Biological Systems Producing Human Behavior

    • Interaction of different biological systems that manifest as human behavior.

    • Genetic Determinants of Personality

    • Emphasis on genetic influences as essential factors shaping personality traits.

  • Behavioral Genetics

    • Study of genetic influences on behavioral traits.

  • Evolutionary Psychology

    • Exploring the evolutionary context of behavior and personality development.

PERSONALITY AND CONSTITUTION

  • Hippocrates and Galen's Humor Theory

    • Historical perspectives on personality based on bodily fluids:

    • Black Bile:

      • Type: Melancholic

      • Characteristics: gloomy, pessimistic, sad (Depressed)

    • Yellow Bile:

      • Type: Choleric

      • Characteristics: bad-tempered, irritable (Irritable)

    • Blood:

      • Type: Sanguine

      • Characteristics: cheerful, passionate (Optimistic)

    • Phlegm:

      • Type: Phlegmatic

      • Characteristics: sluggish, unemotional (Calm)

PERSONALITY & CONSTITUTION (Continued)

  • Phrenology (Franz Joseph Gall)

    • Study of the shape and contours of the skull to determine personality traits.

  • Traits Identified in Phrenology:

    • Comsariann

    • Caumbily

    • Ventsin

    • Traits like Approbativeness, Habitiveness, and Adjectiveness.

TEMPERAMENT MODEL

  • Aspects of Temperament

    • Individual differences that arise in early life.

    • Heritable basis of emotionality/emotional arousal.

    • Implications for understanding temperament in behavior.

  • Temperament-Personality Relationship

    • Discussion of how temperament informs personality development and expression.

THREE FACTOR MODEL

  • Positive Temperament

    • Willingness to engage with the environment.

  • Negative Temperament

    • Tendency to perceive the world as threatening or problematic.

  • Disinhibition vs. Constraint

    • Impulsive behavior versus controlled, restrained behavior patterns.

GRAY: BAS & BIS

  • Background

    • Introduction to Gray's hypothetical biological systems.

  • Model for Understanding Behavior

    • Overview of BAS and BIS as frameworks for explaining behavioral tendencies.

GRAY: BAS & BIS Systems

  • Behavioral Activation System (BAS)

    • Described as the “Go” system.

    • Mechanism causing movement towards incentives.

    • Related to positive emotions.

  • Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)

    • Described as the “Stop” system.

    • Mechanism causing avoidance of punishments.

    • Associated with negative emotions.

GRAY: BIOLOGICAL BASES

  • BAS/BIS Systems

    • These hypothetical biological systems suggest complexity at the biological level.

  • Implications for Systems:

    • BAS: Influenced by dopamine levels and activation of the nucleus accumbens.

    • BIS: Involves the Sepal-Hippocampal system.

LATERALIZATION OF PREFRONTAL CORTEX

  • Cortex Division

    • Lobes of the cerebral cortex define broad functional regions:

    • Frontal Lobe

    • Parietal Lobe

    • Occipital Lobe

    • Temporal Lobe

    • Note: The brain has distinct left and right hemispheres.

  • Emotional Experience

    • Relative activation of left vs. right prefrontal cortex has implications:

    • Left Prefrontal Cortex: Associated with positive emotions.

    • Right Prefrontal Cortex: Associated with negative emotions.

LATERALIZATION OF PREFRONTAL CORTEX (Continued)

  • Evidence of Activation

    • Observational studies, such as watching films, show varying activation in prefrontal regions depending on emotional stimuli.

  • Activation and Meditation Studies

    • Studies indicate mindfulness meditation affects brain activation patterns.

    • Workers in high-stress jobs participating in mindfulness training showed improvements in emotional regulation post-training.

FRONTAL LOBES

  • Role in Cognitive Functioning and Control

    • Implications for executive functions, decision-making, and behavioral control.

  • Phineas Gage Case Study

    • Historical reference demonstrating the significance of frontal lobe damage on personality and behavior.

FRONTAL LOBES (Continued)

  • Elliott Case Study

    • Focused on behavioral changes post-frontal cortex tumor removal, showcasing the influence of the frontal lobe on decision-making and personality.

  • Somatic Marker Hypothesis

    • Proposal that emotions are necessary for decision-making processes.

    • Disinhibition versus constraint in relation to conscientiousness.

NEUROTRANSMITTERS

  • Neuron Communication

    • Overview of neuron structure and synaptic transmission:

    • Vesicle containing neurotransmitters

    • Synaptic gap

    • Receptor sites on receiving neuron

  • Action Potential

    • Mechanism involving sending neuron and neurotransmitter release.

NEUROTRANSMITTERS: Specific Types

  • Dopamine

    • Associated with personality linkage.

    • High levels lead to higher positive temperament and behavioral activation.

    • Evidence from primate research indicating dominance behaviors and reward-seeking in mice.

  • Serotonin

    • Personality link with implications for behavioral inhibition and constraint.

    • Low serotonin linked with higher disinhibition/impulsivity.

    • High serotonin associated with lower negative temperament and better impulse control.

    • Evidence includes symptoms from serotonin depletion syndrome and genetic indications in serotonin functioning.

    • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):

    • Used to lower serotonin levels, impacts on aggression and hostility.

OTHER RESEARCH

  • Hormonal Influences

    • Other hormones that affect personality and behavior:

    • Oxytocin

    • Testosterone

    • Cortisol

    • Epinephrine

    • Norepinephrine

  • Other Brain Structures' Roles

    • Exploration of how additional brain structures can influence personality traits.

OTHER RESEARCH (Continued)

  • Mirror Neurons

    • Understanding their role in social cognition.

    • Distinction between observed and actual pain, highlighting neural processes in empathetic responding.