Psychology 2550A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Brain Asymmetry, Behavioral Activation, Length Overall

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2550A/B
• Professor: David Vollick

Document Summary

Our species has accumulated genes that have proven useful for individual survival and reproductive success. So(cid:373)e ge(cid:374)es are so i(cid:373)porta(cid:374)t to o(cid:374)e"s (cid:271)asi(cid:272) fu(cid:374)(cid:272)tio(cid:374)s that they are (cid:271)elieved to (cid:271)e identical for all individuals. For other genes, there are variations (ex: the genes that influence eye colour: heritable differences in personality reflect such variations. Are variations between us and other species. Physical characteristics affect the way others perceive us and the ways we interact with the world, thus affecting our personality. Willia(cid:373) h. sheldo(cid:374)"s 3 di(cid:373)e(cid:374)sio(cid:374)s of physique that correspond to 3 distinct temperaments. Extraverts differ from introverts in their level of arousal (loa) in the brain (eysenck) Loa is influenced by the ascending reticular activation system (aras) of the brain. Introverts: even small amounts of stimulation overstimulated the aras, which leads them to becomes distressed and withdrawn. Extraverts: larger amounts of stimulation are needed to activate the ara, leading them to seek more engaging activities.