Biological Psychology Notes

Structure Founded by Dr. Hans Eysenck Extroverts: normally under aroused so they seek people to gain arousal Stimuli hungry Introvert: normally over aroused so they seek to back away to get rid of some arousal Stimuli full (overloaded)

Test the Theory? If true, who gets/should get drunk first? Alcohol – Depressant --- helps become under aroused Extrovert: becomes drunk sooner – less distance to get there Introvert: need more depressant to get drunk, because they are already aroused.

Test the Theory? Who needs more caffeine to get “woken” up? Caffeine – Stimulant – used to increase arousal, hyperactivity Extroverts: need more caffeine to get “hyper,” because they are under aroused. Introverts: need less caffeine to get aroused because they are over stimulated, closer to arousal level.

Test the Theory? Who would be better at certain tasks? Boring Tasks: - Introverts – don’t need stimuli to help them focus Listening to Noises: - Extrovert – need to feed the lack of stimuli/arousal Interactive Job: - Extrovert (need stimuli) Cubical Job: - Introvert (no stimuli needed)

Process Formed from Dr. Gray, student of Eysenck 2 Major Brain Processes

1. Behavior Activation System (BAS) “GO SYSTEM” - reward seeking system part of the brain - seeking out pleasure - attracted to doing things that feel good - fun seeking - Location in Brain: Left Frontal Cortex - Biologically transferred by a neurotransmitter: Dopamine People more likely to: act out and/or have substance abuse

2. Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) “Withdrawal System” Stop and go in reverse system Causes people to pull back Stops people from doing something Gives you “warnings” Responds to cues of Fear and Danger Location: Right Frontal Cortex Biologically transmitted by a neurotransmitter: Serotonin

3rd Dimension (not all agree if it is truly a dimension of brain) Student of Eyseck, Dr. Zuckerman

3. Sensation-seeking Student of Eyseck, Dr. Zuckerman Different from BAS In search of new experiences. Like things like: faster cars, use drugs, engage in high risk sports Thrill seeking Looking into anti-social behavior (stealing, wrecking things, gambling, fantasy) Wants new and unusual experiences Types: Military: more likely to be in combat, special forces Sexually: try new things, many sexual partners Mentality: competitive, impulsive, daredevil

Development 2 Factors Genetic Factors 2. Environmental Factors attempt to determine heritability of certain behaviors/personalities 2. Environmental Factors Unique things that happen to you that were different from your siblings (friends, family interactions, activities, pets, etc)

Gene/Environment Correlations Development Gene/Environment Correlations Passive: People are exposed to environments that are not independent of their genes Example: parents are great at music, you have some genetic influence & environment because your parents will play music all the time Reactive: Your genes influence how you act & how you act gets a certain reaction from people. Therefore, you react to other people due to your genes. Active/Niche-seeking: People select certain environments because they are comfortable to what their genes are. We seek out / do things based on what our genes are.

Change Change your environment because we can not change our genes. Change your genes in the future!