1 Psychology 305A: Personality Psychology October 7 Lecture 9

Announcements 1. The grades for the first midterm exam are now available on the course website. The mean score was 69% (SD = 16%, range = 16% – 100%) Approximately one-third (i.e., 29%) of students in the class obtained a grade in the “A” range (i.e., ≥ 80%).

2.The TAs are available during their office hours or by appointment to meet with you to review your exam: Thariq (TA for students with last names A-K): address: Regular office hours: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00AM, Room 4038C, Audain Art Centre 3 Daniel (TA for students with last names L-Z): address: Regular office hours: Tuesdays, 3:00-4:00PM, Kenny 1111

4 Tutorial 2 of the Peer Mentor Program is scheduled at the following times: October 6, 4:30-€“5:30PM, SWING 221 October 7, 1:00-“2:00PM, SWING 122 The discussion questions for Tutorial 2 will be posted on the course website (see Peer Mentor Program). Reminder

A little R&R …. (Review and Reflect) 5

Psychology 3056 The Biological Perspective 2. What does contemporary research suggest about the physiological basis of (a) extraversion, (b) sensitivity to reward and punishment, and (c) sensation seeking? 6 1. What personality characteristics are heritable? (continued)

By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 7 2. describe Eysenck’s theory of the physiological basis of extraversion. 3. review evidence regarding Eysenck’s theory of the physiological basis of extraversion distinguish between the BAS and BIS. 1. discuss the heritability of diverse personality characteristics.

8 7. describe Zuckerman’s theory of the physiological basis of sensation seeking discuss the roles of the BAS and BIS in learning and psychopathology. 6. define the term sensation seeking.

Psychology 3059 What personality characteristics are heritable? (continued) 9

Psychology The Big 5 dimensions Heritability statistics (Jang et al., 1998; see also Yamagata et al., 2006): Extraversion:.50 Agreeableness:.48 Conscientiousness:.49 Neuroticism:.49 Openness to Experience:.48 10

Psychology Personality disorders Heritability statistics (Coolidge et al., 2001): Avoidant personality disorder:.61 Borderline personality disorder:.76 Histrionic personality disorder:.79 Narcissistic personality disorder:.66 Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder:.77 11

Psychology Heritability statistics (Blonigen et al., 2003; Bouchard et al., 1990; Tellegen et al., 1988): Fearlessness ………………………………………… >.95 Carefree Nonplanfulness (i.e., impulsiveness)…… Machiavellianism (i.e., enjoys manipulating others) Social potency (i.e., skilled at influencing others) …..66 Aggressiveness ……………………………………… Psychopathy

Psychology Heritability statistics (Bouchard et al., 1990; Tellegen et al., 1988) Creativity or imagination …………………………..74 Sense of alienation ………………………… Traditionalism ………………………………….…...59 Low risk taking ……………………………………...45 Achievement orientation ………………… Other personality characteristics 13

All personality characteristics studied to date show some degree of heritability. 14

Psychology What does contemporary research suggest about the physiological basis of extraversion? Eysenck (1987) theorized that the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) contributes to individual differences in extraversion. 15

Psychology The ARAS is in the brainstem and acts as a gateway: 16 High levels of ARAS activity result in high levels of cortical arousal. Low levels of ARAS activity result in low levels of cortical arousal.

Psychology Eysenck suggested that introverts have relatively high levels of ARAS activity and, therefore, cortical arousal. In order to avoid further arousal, introverts restrain themselves, seek low-stimulation settings, and avoid social interactions. That is, introverts engage in activities that regulate their levels of arousal downward. 17

Psychology Extraverts have relatively low levels of ARAS activity and, therefore, cortical arousal. In order to enhance their levels of arousal, extraverts seek high-stimulation experiences, settings, and social interactions. That is, extraverts engage in activities that regulate their levels of arousal upward. 18

fMRI studies (e.g., Gray & Braver, 2002; Gray et al., 2005) suggest that extraverts and introverts do differ in cortical arousal. 19 Extraverts and introverts differ in arousability rather than their baseline levels of cortical arousal.

Psychology What does contemporary research suggest about the physiological basis of sensitivity to reward and punishment? Gray (1972, 1990, 2000) theorized that two physiological systems contribute to individual differences in sensitivity to reward and punishment: 20 The behavioural activation system (or behavioural approach system; BAS) and the behavioural inhibition system (or avoidance/withdrawal system; BIS).

Psychology EEG studies suggest that the BAS is located in the left prefrontal cortex and the BIS is located in the right prefrontal cortex (DeYoung & Gray, 2009; Hewig et al., 2004; Schackman et al., 2009). 21

Psychology The BAS is responsive to rewards or incentives, generates positive emotions (e.g., eagerness, excitement), and regulates “approach” behaviours. E.g., A child who hears an ice cream truck approaching. 22

Psychology The BAS is linked to dopamine levels. Accordingly, the BAS also contributes to individual differences in extraversion (see Davidson, 2003; Knutson & Bhanji, 2006; Pickering et al., 1999). 23

Psychology The BIS is responsive to punishment or frustration, generates negative emotions (e.g., anxiety, fear), and regulates “avoidance” behaviours. E.g., A child who is shouting and receives a stern glance from her mother. 24

Psychology The BIS is linked to serotonin, GABA, and norephinephrine levels. Accordingly, the BIS also contributes to individual differences in neuroticism (see Davidson, 2003; Knutson & Bhanji, 2006; Pickering et al., 1999). 25

Psychology BAS/BIS Survey Score on items: 1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 15, 19 = BIS Sensitivity 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 = BAS Sensitivity: Reward Responsiveness 9, 11, 13, 18 = BAS Sensitivity: Drive 14, 16, 17, 20 = BAS Sensitivity: Fun Seeking 26

Psychology The 3 BAS sensitivity subscales are:  Reward responsiveness: Assesses how responsive one is to the occurrence or anticipation of rewards.  Drive: Assesses the persistence with which one pursues desired goals.  Fun seeking: Assesses one’s desire for new rewards and one’s willingness to approach potentially rewarding events on the spur of the moment. 27

Psychology BAS/BIS Sensitivity Survey Means and Standard Deviations (Carver & White, 1994), N = 732 MeanSD BIS Sensitivity BAS Sensitivity: Reward Responsiveness BAS Sensitivity: Drive BAS Sensitivity: Fun Seeking

Psychology Gray integrated his theory with learning theory and generated the following hypotheses. (a) People with a sensitive BAS are more likely to learn when they are rewarded than when they are punished. (b) People with a sensitive BIS are more likely to learn when they are punished than when they are rewarded. 29

Psychology  E.g., Larsen et al. (2003) Had participants engage in a learning task. Some participants were rewarded for each correct response, earning $5 over the course of the experiment. Other participants were punished for each incorrect response; they were given $10 and lost $5 over the course of the experiment. 30

Psychology Found that: (b) participants with high BIS sensitivity performed better when they worked to avoid punishment. (a) participants with high BAS sensitivity performed better when they worked for reward. 31

Theorists have suggested that the BAS and BIS may play roles in psychopathology: anxiety disorders, depression, psychopathy. 32

Psychology What does contemporary research suggest about the physiological basis of sensation seeking? Sensation seeking (SS) refers to the tendency to seek out varied, novel activities that are both exciting and risky: 33

Psychology Sample Items from the Sensation Seeking Scale I sometimes like to do things that are a little frightening. A sensible person avoids activities that are dangerous. * I like to have new and exciting experiences and sensations even if they are frightening, unconventional, or illegal. Almost everything enjoyable is illegal or immoral. I get bored seeing the same old faces. I like the comfortable familiarity of everyday friends. * * Reverse-scored items. 34

Psychology Zuckerman (1994, 1996; also see Ruchkin et al., 2005) theorized that individuals who are high in SS have relatively low levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO). MAO is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters. 35

MAO breaks down neurotransmitters. 36

Psychology Relatively low levels of MAO in sensation seekers result in relatively high levels of dopamine in the nervous system. Thus, MAO act as a “brake,” inhibiting neuro- transmission. 37 High levels of dopamine cause “disinhibition” of the nervous system: less control over behaviour, thought, and emotion.

By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: describe Eysenck’s theory of the physiological basis of extraversion. 3. review evidence regarding Eysenck’s theory of the physiological basis of extraversion distinguish between the BAS and BIS. 1. discuss the heritability of diverse personality characteristics.

39 7. describe Zuckerman’s theory of the physiological basis of sensation seeking discuss the roles of the BAS and BIS in learning and psychopathology. 6. define the term sensation seeking.