Deck 7: Physiological Approaches to Personality

Question 1

Phineas Gage's personality became _____ after his brain was penetrated by an iron rod in an accident.

A)agreeable and conscientious
B)obstinate and capricious
C)extraverted and neurotic
D)extraordinarily conventional

Answer 1

obstinate and capricious

Question 2

According to Galen's theory of bodily fluids, if a person is passive, calm, and thoughtful they had a greater abundance of _____ than other fluids in their bodies.

A)phlegm
B)black bile
C)blood
D)yellow bile

Answer 2

phlegm

Question 3

Most physiological psychologists would agree that

A)physiology is destiny.
B)physiology does not change over time.
C)physiology is one cause of personality.
D)physiology determines behavior

Answer 3

physiology is one cause of personality.

Question 4

The idea that personality characteristics could be related to biology dates back to

A)the 1950s.
B)1892.
C)the 1400s.
D)170 A.D.

Question 5

An advantage of the physiological approach to personality is that physiology

A)is easy to measure.
B)can be measured mechanically and reliably.
C)is the most important part of personality.
D)is the same for all people.

Question 6

Which of the following was NOT a part of the bodily-fluid theory of personality?

A)Phlegm
B)Black bile
C)Blood
D)Green bile

Question 7

Following his accident, Phineas Gage

A)returned to his job and led a fairly normal life.
B)became a circus side show curiosity.
C)held a variety of farm jobs.
D)died of complications due to his injury.

Question 8

Electrodermal activity measures

A)alpha waves.
B)how much sweat is present on the skin.
C)cardiovascular activity.
D)actual biological substrates of personality.

Question 9

Sensors placed on the surface of the skin can be used to measure

A)brain waves, cardiovascular measures, and electrodermal activity.
B)neurotransmitters.
C)dopamine.
D)telemetry.

Question 10

Measuring the amount of electricity that passes between two electrodes placed on a person's skin measures

A)cardiovascular reactivity.
B)electrocardiogram activity.
C)electrodermal activity.
D)electroencephalogram activity.

Question 11

After Elliot's brain tumor was removed his _____ changed.

A)personality
B)intelligence
C)memories
D)language skills

Question 12

A small bit of Elliot's brain that transmitted _____ information to the higher reasoning centers of the brain was destroyed when his tumor was removed.

A)spatial
B)emotional
C)reasoning
D)memory

Question 13

The _____ theory of personality suggests that differences in sociability are caused by differences in the amount of blood an individual has present in his or her body compared to other substances.

A)arousal
B)bodily fluid
C)reinforcement sensitivity
D)circadian rhythm

Question 14

Some individuals have spontaneous electrodermal responses even when in a resting state in a quiet room.The personality traits most consistently associated with these nonspecific electrodermal responses are

A)extroversion and openness to experience.
B)anxiety and neuroticism.
C)sensation seeking and aggression.
D)impulsivity and psychoticism.

Question 15

Which of the following best indicates cardiovascular activity?

A)Skin conductance
B)Alpha waves
C)Electrodermal activity
D)Blood pressure

Question 16

If a person is unstable, aggressive, and excitable they would have an abundance of _____, according to Galen's theory of bodily fluids.

A)black bile
B)phlegm
C)yellow bile
D)blood

Question 17

Individuals with an abundance of black bile were described by Galen as being

A)sanguine.
B)choleric.
C)melancholic.
D)phlegmatic.

Question 18

Most physiological personality psychologists today focus on

A)body types.
B)physiological systems.
C)the four humors.
D)telemetry.

Question 19

Galen believed that a person who was happy, outgoing, and lively could be described as being

A)phlegmatic.
B)melancholic.
C)choleric.
D)sanguine.

Question 20

One of the first people to suggest that biological differences could be responsible for personality differences was

A)Eysenck.
B)Pavlov.
C)Galen.
D)Sheldon.

Question 21

Monica is shown some pictures with very negative content.Activity in the frontal brain would indicate that she may have the personality trait of

A)extroversion.
B)neuroticism.
C)quarrelsomeness.
D)sensation seeking.

Question 22

Which name is most associated with the reinforcement sensitivity theory?

A)Pavlov
B)Eysenck
C)Gray
D)Zuckerman

Question 23

According to Eysenck, extraverts seek out social situations and stimulation as they

A)need the arousal of social situations.
B)have high levels of anxiety when alone.
C)have overactive ascending reticular activating systems.
D)have greater impulse control when in social situations.

Question 24

Terry, a Type A personality, suffers from chronic cardiovascular activity.He should be careful as these behaviors may contribute to

A)cancer proneness.
B)coronary artery disease.
C)chronic diabetes.
D)Crohn's disease.

Question 25

A person who is sociable, outgoing, venturesome, and easily bored

A)has a Type A personality.
B)is an introvert.
C)is an extravert.
D)would score high on harm avoidance.

Question 26

According to Gray, _____ is responsive to cues for punishment, frustration, and uncertainty resulting in a personality dimension assessing anxiety.

A)the behavioral activation system
B)the behavioral inhibition system
C)dopamine
D)frontal brain asymmetry

Question 27

Which of the following physiological mechanisms is thought to control overall cortical arousal?

A)Parasympathetic nervous system
B)Ascending reticular activating system or ARAS
C)Behavioral activation system or BAS
D)Behavioral inhibition system or BIS

Question 28

According to Eysenck, introverts avoid social situations because

A)they do not like people.
B)they also score high on measures of anxiety.
C)they have too much monoamine oxidase.
D)they are likely to become over aroused in social situations.

Question 29

People with Type A personality show

A)lower levels of cardiovascular reactivity.
B)higher levels of cardiovascular reactivity.
C)higher levels of electrodermal activity.
D)lower levels of electrodermal activity.

Question 30

The following were all findings of Russell Geen's study of introverts and extraverts EXCEPT

A)introverts preferred lower levels of arousal than extraverts.
B)extraverts and introverts had different levels of baseline arousal.
C)introverts performed better under conditions of low arousal.
D)extraverts performed better when they chose their own level of arousal.

Question 31

To obtain an accurate measure of cardiovascular activity researchers typically

A)measure the number of heartbeats per minute.
B)measure skin conductance between heartbeats.
C)measure the intervals between heartbeats.
D)measure the average systolic blood pressure.

Question 32

Electrical activity in the brain is measured with

A)cardiovascular reactivity.
B)the electrocardiogram.
C)skin conductance.
D)the electroencephalogram or EEG.

Question 33

Carlos is very competitive, hostile, impatient, and has a strong level of cardiac reactivity.Carlos most likely has a _____ personality.

A)mesomorphic
B)Type A
C)impulsive
D)reactive

Question 34

According to Eysenck, _____ is related to low physiological arousal.

A)extraversion
B)introversion
C)the Behavioral Activation System
D)the Behavioral Inhibition System

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT part of Hebb's theory about "optimal levels of arousal"?

A)A person can be too aroused to perform well.
B)A person has the same optimal level of arousal for all stimuli.
C)A person can perform poorly because they are not sufficiently aroused.
D)Different activities have different optimal levels of arousal.

Question 36

The increase in blood pressure observed in response to stress is an indication of

A)cardiovascular reactivity.
B)alpha waves.
C)skin conductance.
D)hormonal activity

Question 37

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used by psychologists to study

A)the portions of the brain that are active while performing a task.
B)vascular system in humans during stress.
C)how much magnetic activity can be measured on a person's skin.
D)assess how quickly blood flows through the bloodstream.

Question 38

According to Gray, _____ is responsive to cues for incentives, rewards, and approach behavior.

A)the behavioral activation system
B)the behavioral inhibition system
C)dopamine
D)frontal brain asymmetry

Question 39

According to Hebb's theory, there is a(n) _____ state of arousal for every task that will lead to the highest level of performance for each individual.

A)marginal
B)optimal
C)maximal
D)progressive

Question 40

Eysenck's revised theory of extraversion suggests that introverts and extraverts differ in

A)baseline level of arousal.
B)their arousal response.
C)maximal level of arousal.
D)behavioral activating systems.

Question 41

According to Gray's theory, people in jails probably

A)score high on measures of anxiety.
B)lack sufficient levels of dopamine.
C)have strong behavioral activation systems.
D)have strong behavioral inhibition systems.

Question 42

Monoamine oxidase acts upon the nervous system by _____ neurotransmission.

A)maximizing
B)inhibiting
C)optimizing
D)moderating

Question 43

Individuals with high scores on the behavioral activating scale perform better when they are working

A)to obtain a reward.
B)to avoid a punishment.
C)working alone on a task.
D)working in a group on a task.

Question 44

According to Gray, a person who scores high on extraversion and somewhat high on the neuroticism dimensions in Eysenck's model will also score high on

A)anxiety.
B)Type A personality.
C)cardiovascular reactivity.
D)impulsivity.

Question 45

Gray thought that _____ was responsible for avoidance behavior.

A)reward dependence
B)the behavioral inhibition system
C)monoamine oxidase
D)a strong nervous system

Question 46

_____ tend to take more risks and engage in more exciting activities.

A)People who score high on introversion
B)People who score high on sensation seeking
C)People who score high on Type A personality
D)People with weak nervous systems

Question 47

Sheri wants to get her husband, Carlos, to finish waxing the car before they go out for the evening.Being a student of Jeffery Gray's theory of personality Sheri knows that the best way get her impulsive husband to complete the task is to

A)go about her business because she knows Carlos will finish waxing the car on his own.
B)promise to reward him with his favorite dinner if he finishes waxing the car.
C)threaten to not make dinner if he does not complete the wax job.
D)yell at Carlos every time he starts to slack off from working on the wax job.

Question 48

The enzyme monoamine oxidase works by

A)blocking too many neurotransmitters from entering the synaptic cleft.
B)acting as a conductor to facilitate the transmission of neurotransmitters between neurons.
C)manufacturing neurotransmitters inside of the neuron.
D)breaking down neurotransmitters after a nerve impulse has passed.

Question 49

Bored people may seek out mild stimulation to

A)invigorate their nervous systems.
B)reach an optimal level of arousal.
C)avoid a much higher level of stimulation.
D)to reduce tension in their systems.

Question 50

Hebb's theory of an optimal level of arousal was controversial as it hypothesized that individuals

A)seek out tension and stimulation as well as try to reduce tension in the body.
B)seek out higher levels of tension without a means for reducing that tension in the body.
C)cannot maintain an optimal low arousal for significant period of time.
D)are punished when the individual is not in a state of optimal arousal.

Question 51

There is a _____ correlation between scores for Zuckerman's sensation seeking scale and Eysenck's trait of extraversion.

A)very low positive
B)marginally negative
C)moderately strong positive
D)very strong negative

Question 52

Zuckerman found that people _____ found sensory deprivation particularly unpleasant.

A)who score on introversion scales
B)with more activation in the left hemisphere
C)who were sensation seekers
D)who scored high on harm avoidance

Question 53

Research has found that _____ tend to score lower on sensation seeking scales.

A)people who enjoy skydiving
B)people who have more sexual partners
C)students who volunteer for unconventional psychology experiments
D)endure sensory deprivation conditions for long periods of time

Question 54

In Gray's theory of personality, anxiety and impulsivity are related to

A)emotional stability and openness to experience.
B)psychoticism and extraversion.
C)sensation seeking and liberalism.
D)reinforcement and punishment.

Question 55

According to Gray, a person who scores high on introversion and somewhat high on the neuroticism dimensions in Eysenck's model will also score high on

A)anxiety.
B)Type A personality.
C)cardiovascular reactivity.
D)impulsivity.

Question 56

In Gray's model of personality, individuals with a reactive behavioral inhibition system are very sensitive to

A)positive emotions.
B)punishment or frustration.
C)incentives and rewards.
D)changes in MAO levels.

Question 57

Individuals with a reactive behavioral activating system may be very

A)extraverted.
B)impulsive.
C)conscientious.
D)psychopathic.

Question 58

Monoamine oxidase

A)breaks down neurotransmitters.
B)facilitates nerve transmissions.
C)is linked to cardiovascular reactivity.
D)holds neurons together.

Question 59

If there is too little monoamine oxide present

A)too much transmission will take place between the nerves.
B)not enough neurotransmitters will be produced in the nervous system.
C)the neurons will fire at a slow rate, inhibiting behavior.
D)the lack of oxides will damage the nervous system.

Question 60

Most of Gray's research has

A)been done on the brains of animals.
B)used questionnaires.
C)used measures of electrodermal activity.
D)been done on college sophomores.

Question 61

Recent work in the area of genetics and personality has led researchers to conclude that

A)there is a one-to-one correspondence between genes and personality traits.
B)there are a large number of genes involved in the creation of any single personality trait.
C)only genes associated with neurotransmitters are responsible for the creation of personality traits.
D)genes appear to exist in bipolar hairs on the chromosomes and affect behavior in opposing ways.

Question 62

People who score high on the trait of _____ are persistent and continue to work in situations in which others would likely give up.

A)extraversion
B)novelty seeking
C)reward dependence
D)sensation seeking

Question 63

A person who is deprived of time cues in his or her environment to influence behaviors or biology is said to be ______ in time.

A)showing frontal asymmetry
B)free running
C)off track
D)symmetrical

Question 64

The trait of morningness-eveningness

A)often changes over time.
B)remains stable over time.
C)has been studied only in America.
D)is correlated with anxiety.

Question 65

According to Zuckerman, _____ have _____ levels of monoamine oxidase.

A)sensation seekers; low
B)introverts; low
C)sensation seekers; high
D)extraverts; low

Question 66

According to Cloninger, the trait of novelty seeking is related to low levels of

A)norepinepherine.
B)serotonin.
C)dopamine.
D)monoamine oxidase.

Question 67

Mike flies non-stop from San Francisco to London.He finds he has little trouble with the time change.Most likely Mike is a(n)

A)novelty-seeking type.
B)evening type.
C)extraverted type.
D)diurnal type.

Question 68

Which of the following traits is most related to biological rhythms?

A)Extraversion
B)Sensation seeking
C)Morningness-eveningness
D)Impulsivity

Question 69

Individuals who score high on harm avoidance can be described as

A)energetic, outgoing, and optimistic.
B)cautious, inhibited, and apprehensive.
C)shy, paranoid, and tense.
D)happy, positive, and extroverted.

Question 70

Which of the following is NOT a trait in Cloninger's tridimensional personality model?

A)Harm avoidance
B)Sensation seeking
C)Novelty seeking
D)Reward dependence

Question 71

Drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft act to block the reuptake of

A)norepinepherine.
B)serotonin.
C)dopamine.
D)monoamine oxidase.

Question 72

Initially increased levels of serotonin may result in _____, but over time may lead to _____.

A)high levels of anxiety; decreased vulnerability to overreacting to stress
B)strong euphoric states; generally increased happiness
C)high levels of depression; modal levels of euphoria
D)low sensation seeking; high vulnerability to stress

Question 73

Cloninger's model of personality has much in common with all of these models of personality EXCEPT

A)Wiggins' circumplex model of personality.
B)Eysenck's three-dimensional model of personality.
C)Gray's reinforcement sensitivity theory.
D)Zuckerman's model of sensation seeking.

Question 74

Who of the following associated specific neurotransmitters with personality traits?

A)Eysenck
B)Pavlov
C)Gray
D)Cloninger

Question 75

Which of the following has been shown to fluctuate with a circadian rhythm?

A)Body temperature
B)Extraversion
C)Frontal asymmetry
D)Serotonin

Question 76

Which of the following neurotransmitters is involved in activating the sympathetic nervous system for fight-or-flight responses?

A)Serotonin
B)Dopamine
C)Norepinephrine
D)Monoamine oxide

Question 77

Drinking caffeinated coffee in the morning will provide a greater performance boost to this group than if they drink coffee in the evening.

A)People with greater left-hemisphere activation
B)People with a greater right-hemisphere activation
C)People scoring high on morningness
D)People scoring high on eveningness

Question 78

A person with a circadian rhythm that is longer than 24 hours will score higher on _____ scales.

A)eveningness
B)sensation-seeking
C)harm avoidance
D)morningness

Question 79

The neurotransmitter _____ is associated with feeling pleasure.

A)norepinepherine
B)serotonin
C)dopamine
D)monoanamine oxide

Question 80

A study discussed in the text showed that roommates who scored similarly on the trait of _____ liked each other more than roommates who were mismatched on this trait.

A)extraversion
B)anxiety
C)morningness-eveningness
D)achievement motivation