PSYA02H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Middle Frontal Gyrus
PSYA02 Lecture 3: Role of evolution in personality
- Personality structures built into our species bc they conferred selective advantages to
humans possessing certain traits
- Animal Behaviour: Evolutionary Roots of Personality
o Compelling argument for usefulness of evolutionary perspective on personality is
presence of personality traits in numerous nonhuman species
▪ Reflects our shared genetic heritage with other species
- Studying animal personalities is not easy
o To measure big 5 factors in animals, ppl familiar with the animal being studied
rate their behaviours according to the 5 factors
- Presence of basic personality dimensions is widespread in living world
Evolutionary Explanation for numerous different personalities
- Big 5 traits are built into our biology
o Must have been selected or by being adaptive in past evolutionary epochs
o Helped promote our survival and reproductive success
- Being high or low in each of the big 5 traits could be desirable depending on the
situation
o Complex blends of personality types across society evolved bc different traits
were desirable in different circumstances
o Different social niches to which ppl can adapt to in society
o Different traits evolved bc mixture of traits with complementary strengths and
weaknesses are advantageous at group level
▪ Not necessarily beneficial at individual level
The Brain and Personality: modern biological approaches for investigating brain and behaviours
build on ancient traditions of medicine that connected the mind to the body
- Humourism: explained physical illness and disorders of personality as a result of
imbalances in key fluids in the body
o The 4 Humours
- Phrenology: Theory that personality characteristics could be assessed by measuring
shape of skull
Extraversion and Arousal
- Arousal theory of extraversion: Argues extraversion is determined by ppls threshold for
arousal
o Proposed by Hans Eysenck in 1967
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
oneclass137 and 40083 others unlocked
52
PSYA02H3 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
52 documents
Document Summary
Psya02 lecture 3: role of evolution in personality. Personality structures built into our species bc they conferred selective advantages to humans possessing certain traits. Animal behaviour: evolutionary roots of personality: compelling argument for usefulness of evolutionary perspective on personality is presence of personality traits in numerous nonhuman species, reflects our shared genetic heritage with other species. Studying animal personalities is not easy: to measure big 5 factors in animals, ppl familiar with the animal being studied rate their behaviours according to the 5 factors. Presence of basic personality dimensions is widespread in living world. Big 5 traits are built into our biology: must have been selected or by being adaptive in past evolutionary epochs, helped promote our survival and reproductive success. The brain and personality: modern biological approaches for investigating brain and behaviours build on ancient traditions of medicine that connected the mind to the body.