Personality develops through an interaction between biological influences and experience. This lesson introduces how inherited predispositions, evolutionary explanations, and early temperament can help explain individual differences.
The biological approach explains personality differences partly through inherited predispositions and physiological processes. It addresses a central question: how much of personality is in-born, and how much is shaped by the environment and culture in which a person grows up?
All flashcards
What is the biological approach to personality?
It explains personality differences partly through inherited predispositions and physiological processes, while considering how biological influences interact with the environment.
What are life-history theory and costly signaling theory?
Life-history theory examines how people allocate time and energy among activities such as growth, reproduction, and parenting. Costly signaling theory examines whether signals about a person’s quality as a mate or friend are honest or deceptive.
What is heritability?
Heritability is the proportion of differences among people in a particular population that is attributed to genetic variation. It is not the percentage of an individual’s personality caused by genes.
What did the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart suggest?
Its finding that identical twins had very similar personalities whether raised together or apart suggests that genetic factors contribute to some personality traits.
What are reactivity and self-regulation?
Reactivity is how a person responds to new or challenging stimuli. Self-regulation is the ability to control or manage that response.
Quiz questions
What does the biological approach use to help explain personality differences?Answer: Inherited predispositions and physiological processes, alongside environmental influences.
What does life-history theory examine?Answer: How people allocate time and energy among growth, maintenance, reproduction, and parenting.
What conclusion is supported by the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart?Answer: Similar personalities in identical twins raised together or apart suggest genetic influence on some traits.
What does a heritability estimate describe?Answer: The proportion of differences among people in a population attributed to genetic variation.
A child reacts intensely to unfamiliar situations but gradually learns to manage that reaction. Which dimensions are illustrated?Answer: Reactivity describes the intense response; self-regulation describes managing it.
Based on Psychology 2e by Rose M. Spielman, William J. Jenkins, Marilyn D. Lovett (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.