session15-biological

• refers to biologically based individual differences in emotional and behavioral tendencies

• observable early in life, especially in infancy.

• has biological roots: have minimal social experience, so early differences cannot be explained by learning alone.

Easy babies, difficult babies, and slow-to-warm-up babies.

Regular biological rhythms,

positive mood,

good adaptability to change,

and moderate energy levels.

Irregular biological rhythms,

negative mood

, poor adaptability,

and high energy levels.

Low reactivity and moderate responses to novelty,

with gradual adaptation.

The degree to which the parental environment matches the child’s temperament, influencing developmental outcomes.

Emotionality, Activity, and Sociability (EAS model).

It is purely descriptive and does not link temperament to genes or brain systems.

A single dimension reflecting reactivity to novelty:

• inhibited vs. uninhibited temperament.

• Spontaneous response to novelty,

• frequent smiling,

• easy calming,

• and low fear.

• Fear, avoidance, and distress in response to novelty;

• seeking parental comfort;

• slow calming.

Yes, tendencies persist over time, though some change is possible depending on parental style.

Overprotection has negative effects, while reasonable demands have positive moderating effects.

Inhibited

Heightened amygdala reactivity and differences in frontal cortex regulation of emotion.

• amygdala is involved in fear processing and heightened responses to novelty.

proposes that personality results from interactions between biologically based temperament and socially shaped character.

• Temperament involves automatic emotional responses;

• character involves conscious goals, values, and self-concept shaped by learning.

1. Novelty Seeking (NS) – Neigung zu Neugier, Exploration, Impulsivität – v. a. Dopamin

2. Harm Avoidance (HA) – Ängstlichkeit, Vorsicht, Vermeidung von Gefahr – v. a. Serotonin

3. Reward Dependence (RD) – Bedürfnis nach sozialer Anerkennung, Bindung – v. a. Noradrenalin / Oxytocin

4. Persistence (P) – Durchhaltevermögen trotz Müdigkeit oder Frustration – v. a. Noradrenalin / Glutamat

1. Self-Directedness (SD) – Selbstkontrolle, Verantwortungsübernahme, Zielorientierung – „Wie gut steuere ich mich selbst?“

2. Cooperativeness (C) – Empathie, Hilfsbereitschaft, Toleranz gegenüber anderen – „Wie gehe ich mit anderen um?“

3. Self-Transcendence (ST) – Spiritualität, Kreativität, Gefühl von Verbundenheit – „Wie sehe ich mich im größeren Ganzen?“

Approximately 50%, with unique genetic determinants.

• Temperament: cortico-striatal and limbic systems (“old brain”).

• Character: frontal, temporal, and parietal neocortex (“young brain”).

Twin studies,

• comparing similarity between monozygotic (MZ) twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins.

adoption studies, and molecular genetics.

Additive genetic variance (A),

shared environment (E),

and non-shared environment (C).

• 40-50% due to genes

• 40% due to non shared environment

  • Moderate heritability (approximately 0.28–0.46), varying across traits. of big five

To identify specific genetic variants associated with personality traits.

Single genes explain only a very small portion of personality variance.

Certain genetic variants increase vulnerability to antisocial behavior or depression depending on environmental conditions.

• Different genetic sensitivity to the same environment;

• genetically driven evocation of environments;

• active selection of environments.

Nonconforming gender behavior leads to attraction toward the “exotic” sex during puberty.

Family clustering,

twin studies (heritability ~30–50%),

and candidate gene findings, though results are inconclusive.

• Prenatal stress or hormonal changes alter testosterone exposure,

• affecting brain masculinization and later sexual orientation.

• Each older biological brother increases the probability of male homosexuality by about 33%,

• possibly due to maternal immune responses.

D2:D4 ratio,

limb-to-trunk ratio,

gait,

voice,

and certain brain structures.

Integration of biology and environment,

use of natural experiments (twins, adoption),

and systematic theories like Cloninger’s model.

No one-to-one gene–trait relations,

small effect sizes of single genes,

and inconclusive evidence for some hypotheses.