1. Getting Started Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Perspectives on Personality Focus on the Biological Perspective This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any image; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

2. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Overview of Biopsychology Concerns biological explanations and substrates for psychological phenomena Major Theories: –Psychoevolutionary –Biopsychological

3. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Central Ideas of Evolutionary Theory Organisms with certain features are better able to adapt to hostile forces of nature Behaviorally, we all face certain questions: Who is my ally? My foe? What food should I eat? Who should I marry? Individuals who answer those questions better than others are better adapted. Because they better adapt, they are better able to survive and reproduce Their genes in the gene pool that control behavioral differences

4. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality An Example Giraffes once had shorter necks Giraffes with taller necks better found food (high- growing leaves) They are therefore more likely to reproduce

5. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Second Example There was selection for larger brains This led to: –greater capacity to acquire resources and therefore –greater reproductive success Pre Homo Sapien Examples: –Austrolopithecus Afarensis –Australopithecus Africanus

6. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Central Ideas of Biopsychology Genetics Influence the Brain The Brain Influences Behavior Through: –Brain Structure –Neurotransmitters –Hormones –Immune Function

7. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Genetic Influences as Viewed through Twin Studies Monozygotic twins….100% genetic material in common Dizygotic twins…50% genetic material in common Cousins, aunts, uncles…25% Strangers…0%

8. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Correlations Between Pairs of Individuals for Four Personality Traits Trait Mono. Twins reared together Mono.. Twins reared apart Sibs. Reared together Sibs. Reared apart Intell..86.72.47.24 Extrav..54.30.06.04 Neurot..41.25.24.28 Open..51.43.14.23

9. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality Corpus Collusum: Relevant to Personality? (Brain structure): The corpus callosum permits communication between the two hemispheres When it is larger, it better permits a person to integrate emotion and thought It is larger (on average) in women. Women are better able to integrate some emotional information Corpus Collusum

10. The Biological Perspective © Copyright 2006 Allyn & Bacon Mayer’s Personality: A Systems Approach Part 1: Exploring PersonalityChapter 3: Theories of Personality ~ end ~