Psychology 3051 Psychology 305: Theories of Personality Lecture 8

Psychology 3052 Announcement I will hold additional office hours in preparation for the midterm exam: Tuesday, June 7 th : 2:30-4:30 Wednesday, June 8 th : 2:00-4:00 Thursday, June 9 th : 11:00-12:30

Midterm Exam: June 9 th, 2011 The exam will be scored out of 50 points: 30 multiple choice questions (1 point each) 7 short answer questions (ranging in value from 2 to 4 points, totaling 20 points) Please arrive on time to facilitate rapid distribution of the exams.

4 Bring a pencil, eraser, pen, and your student ID to the exam. All electronic devices must be put away before the start of the exam. Bags and backpacks should be left at the front of the room. Please do not bring valuables to the exam. Hats (e.g., baseball caps) should not be worn during the exam.

Psychology 3055 Lecture 8 Questions That Will be Answered in Today’s Lecture 1. What does contemporary research suggest about the physiological basis of sensation seeking?

By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. describe Zuckerman’s theory of the physiological basis of sensation-seeking. 6

Psychology 3057 What does contemporary research suggest about the physiological basis of sensation seeking? Sensation seeking refers to the tendency to seek out varied, novel activities that are both exciting and risky. The term “sensation seeking” (SS) was coined by Marvin Zuckerman (1965), who developed the Sensation Seeking Scale to measure this characteristic.

Psychology 3058 Examples of 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.

Psychology 3059 Zuckerman (1991) maintains that SS is physiologically based. Consistent with this assertion, he found that individuals who were high in SS had relatively low levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in their blood. MAO is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that enable the transmission of nerve impulses from one cell to another.

10 MAO breaks down neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.

Psychology Zuckerman maintains that the low levels of MAO in sensation seekers results in relatively high levels of neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine) within the nervous system. The high levels of neurotransmitters, in turn, cause a “disinhibition” of the nervous system, resulting in less control over behaviour, thought, and emotion. Thus, MAO act as a “brake,” diminishing or inhibiting neurotransmission.

Psychology Analysis of the Personality of a Serial Killer Jeffrey Dahmer: Discussion Questions 1.How would you expect Jeffrey Dahmer to score on the personality dimensions identified by (a) Eysenck, (b) Wiggins, and (c) Big 5 theorists? 2. Can a diathesis-stress model be used to explain the onset of Jeffrey Dahmer’s antisocial behaviour? 3. What needs do you think motivated Jeffrey Dahmer’s behaviour? Consider both Murray’s needs and the “Big Three.”

Psychology Discussion Questions, continued 4.Can evolutionary psychology offer explanations for antisocial behaviour, psychopathy, cannibalism, and/or necrophilia? 5. Which characteristics do you think Jeffrey Dahmer may have inherited? 6.How do you think Jeffrey Dahmer would score on the temperaments identified by Buss and Plomin? 7.Speculate upon the physiological causes of antisocial personality disorder or psychopathy.

Psychology Eysenck’s Major Personality Dimensions Emotionally StableEmotionally Unstable IntrovertPassive Thoughtful Peaceful A Controlled Reliable Calm Quiet Pessimistic Unsociable B Moody Anxious Reserved ExtravertSociable Outgoing Talkative C Responsive Easygoing Carefree Active Optimistic Impulsive D Excitable Aggressive Restless A = Phlegmatic; B = Melancholic; C = Sanguine; D = Choleric

Psychology Wiggins’ Interpersonal Circle Warm- agreeable Cold- hearted Unassured- submissive Assured- dominant Aloof- introverted Unassuming- ingenuous Gregarious- extraverted Arrogant- calculating

Psychology Extraversion: Conscientiousness: Agreeableness: Openness to Experience: Neuroticism: Low High Low The Big 5 Dimensions

Psychology Some Heritable Personality Characteristics The Big 5: H Extraversion …………………………………………….50 Conscientiousness……………………………………...49 Agreeableness ……………………………………… Openness to Experience ………………………….…..48 Neuroticism ……………………………………………..49

Psychology Characteristics related to psychopathy: H Fearlessness …………………………………………… >.95 Carefree Nonplanfulness (i.e., impulsiveness)…… Machiavellianism (i.e., enjoys manipulating others) Social potency (i.e., skilled at influencing others) …..66 Aggressiveness ………………………………………...67

Psychology Contemporary Measures of Psychopathy: 1.Psychopathic Personality Inventory Self-report measure. 187 items, scored with a 4-point scale ranging from 1 (false) to 4 (true). Consists of 8 factors: Machiavellian egocentricity, social potency, fearlessness, coldheartedness, impulse nonconformity, blame externalization, carefree nonplanfulness, and stress immunity.

Psychology Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) Instrument used by trained clinicians. Assesses 20 symptoms associated with psychopathy. Each symptom is scored from 0 – 2 (0 = definitely does not apply to the person, 2 = definitely does apply to the person). Consists of 2 factors: Affective/interpersonal features and behavioural features. Maximum score: 40. A score of 30 is indicative of the presence of psychopathy.

Psychology DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger’s Disorder A. Impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least 2 of the following: 1. Marked impairment in the use of nonverbal behaviours (e.g., eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures). 2. Failure to develop peer relationships. 3. Lack of spontaneous seeking to share interests, enjoyment, or achievements with other people. 4. Lack of social or emotional reciprocity.

Psychology Criteria for Asperger’s Disorder, continued B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least 1 of the following: 1. Restricted patterns of interest that are abnormal either in intensity or focus. 2. Inflexible adherence to nonfunctional routines or rituals. 3.Repetitive and stereotyped motor mannerisms. 4.Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.

Psychology Criteria for Asperger’s Disorder, continued C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. D. There is no clinically significant delay in general language. E.There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or the development of age-appropriate self-help skills.