1. Psychology 305: Theories of Personality
Lecture 8
Psychology 305

2. Announcements
1. There has been a recent problem with the Psychology Department’s server. Some messages are being “held” for up to 48 hours before being delivered to faculty mailboxes. If you have e- mailed me and have not received a response, please see me today or during my office hours tomorrow with your questions.
Psychology 305

3. 2. I will have additional office hours tomorrow for the
2. I will have additional office hours tomorrow for the purpose of exam preparation. I will be available in my office (Kenny, 2517) at: 11:00-12:00 and 3:00- 4:30.
3. Our first exam is scheduled for next class— Thursday, June 10th (6:00-8:00 PM). Please note the following points for the exam:
Psychology 305

4. Be sure to bring a pencil, eraser, pen, and your
Be sure to bring a pencil, eraser, pen, and your student ID to the exam. Note that hats (e.g., baseball caps) should not be worn during the exam.
All electronic devices must be put away; the time will be monitored in 5 minute increments on the overhead projector.
The exam will include 30 multiple choice questions (1 point each) and several short answer questions (ranging in value from 2 – 6 points each). It will be scored out of 50 points.
Psychology 305

5. Questions That Will be Answered in Today’s Lecture
Biological Perspective on Personality:
Physiological Approach (continued)
4. What does contemporary research suggest about the physiological basis of (b) sensitivity to reward and punishment (continued) and (c) sensation seeking?
Psychology 305

6. BAS/BIS Sensitivity Survey
What does contemporary research suggest about the physiological
basis of sensitivity to reward and punishment? (continued)
BAS/BIS Sensitivity Survey
Score on items:
1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 15, 19 = BIS Sensitivity
2, 3, 5, 6, 8 = BAS Sensitivity: Reward Responsiveness
9, 11, 13, 18 = BAS Sensitivity: Drive
14, 16, 17, 20 = BAS Sensitivity: Fun Seeking
Psychology 305

7. The 3 BAS sensitivity subscales are as follows.
Reward responsiveness: Assesses how responsive one is to the occurrence or anticipation of rewards.
Drive: Assesses the persistence with which one pursues desired goals.
Fun seeking: Assesses one’s desire for new rewards and one’s willingness to approach potentially rewarding events on the spur of the moment.
Psychology 305

8. BAS Sensitivity: Reward Responsiveness 17.59 2.14
BAS/BIS Sensitivity Survey Means and Standard Deviations (Carver & White, 1994), N = 732
Mean SD
BIS Sensitivity
BAS Sensitivity: Reward
Responsiveness
BAS Sensitivity: Drive
BAS Sensitivity: Fun Seeking
Psychology 305

9. What does contemporary research suggest about
the physiological basis of sensation seeking?
Sensation seeking refers to the tendency to seek out varied, novel activities that are both exciting and risky.
The term “sensation seeking” (SS) was coined by Marvin Zuckerman (1965), who developed the Sensation Seeking Scale to measure this characteristic.
Psychology 305

10. Examples of Items from the Sensation Seeking Scale
I sometimes like to do things that are a little frightening.
A sensible person avoids activities that are dangerous. *
I like to have new and exciting experiences and sensations even if they are frightening, unconventional, or illegal.
Almost everything enjoyable is illegal or immoral.
I get bored seeing the same old faces.
I like the comfortable familiarity of everyday friends. *
* Reverse-scored items.
Psychology 305

11. Zuckerman (1991) maintains that SS is physiologically. based
Zuckerman (1991) maintains that SS is physiologically based. Consistent with this assertion, he found that individuals who were high in SS had relatively low levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in their blood.
MAO is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that enable the transmission of nerve impulses from one cell to another.
Psychology 305

12. MAO breaks down neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft.

13. Thus, MAO act as a “brake,” diminishing or inhibiting
Thus, MAO act as a “brake,” diminishing or inhibiting neurotransmission.
Zuckerman maintains that the low levels of MAO in sensation seekers results in relatively high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine within the nervous system. The high levels of dopamine, in turn, cause a “disinhibition” of the nervous system, resulting in less control over behaviour, thought, and emotion.
Psychology 305

14. Analysis of the Personality of a Serial Killer
Jeffrey Dahmer
Discussion Questions
How would you expect Jeffrey Dahmer to score on the personality dimensions identified by (a) Eysenck, (b) Wiggins, and (c) Big 5 theorists?
2. Can a diathesis-stress model be used to explain the onset of Jeffrey Dahmer’s antisocial behaviour?
3. What needs do you think motivated Jeffrey Dahmer’s behaviour? Consider both Murray’s needs and the “Big Three.”
Psychology 305

15. Discussion Questions, continued
Can evolutionary psychology offer explanations for antisocial behaviour, psychopathy, cannibalism, and/or necrophilia?
5. Which characteristics do you think Jeffrey Dahmer may have inherited?
6. How do you think Jeffrey Dahmer would score on the temperaments identified by Buss and Plomin (i.e., activity level, sociability, and emotionality)?
7. Speculate upon the physiological causes of antisocial personality disorder or psychopathy (e.g., the role of the BAS, the BIS, MAO, testosterone).
Psychology 305

16. Eysenck’s Major Personality Dimensions Emotionally Stable
Emotionally Unstable
Introvert
Passive
Thoughtful
Peaceful A
Controlled
Reliable
Calm
Quiet
Pessimistic
Unsociable B
Moody
Anxious
Reserved
Extravert
Sociable
Outgoing
Talkative C
Responsive
Easygoing
Carefree
Active
Optimistic
Impulsive D
Excitable
Aggressive
Restless
A = Phlegmatic; B = Melancholic; C = Sanguine; D = Choleric
Psychology 305

17. Wiggins’ Interpersonal Circle
Assured-dominant
Arrogant-calculating
Gregarious-extraverted
Cold-hearted
Warm-agreeable
Aloof-introverted
Unassuming-ingenuous
Unassured-submissive
Psychology 305

18. Openness to Experience: Low
The Big 5 Dimensions
Extraversion:
Low
Conscientiousness:
Low
Agreeableness:
Low
Openness to Experience:
Low
Neuroticism:
High
Psychology 305

19. Some Heritable Personality Characteristics
The Big 5: H
Extraversion …………………………………………… .50
Conscientiousness…………………………………….. .49
Agreeableness ………………………………………
Openness to Experience ………………………….…. .48
Neuroticism ……………………………………………. .49
Psychology 305

20. Characteristics related to psychopathy: H
Fearlessness …………………………………………… > .95
Carefree Nonplanfulness (i.e., impulsiveness)……
Machiavellianism (i.e., enjoys manipulating others)
Social potency (i.e., skilled at influencing others) …. .66
Aggressiveness ……………………………………….. .67
Psychology 305

21. Contemporary Measures of Psychopathy:
Psychopathic Personality Inventory
Self-report measure.
187 items, scored with a 4-point scale ranging from 1 (false) to 4 (true).
Consists of 8 factors: Machiavellian egocentricity, social potency, fearlessness, coldheartedness, impulse nonconformity, blame externalization, carefree nonplanfulness, and stress immunity.
Psychology 305

22. Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)
Instrument used by trained clinicians.
Assesses 20 symptoms associated with psychopathy. Each symptom is scored from 0 – 2 (0 = definitely does not apply to the person, 2 = definitely does apply to the person).
Consists of 2 factors: Affective/interpersonal features and behavioural features.
Maximum score: 40. A score of 30 is indicative of the presence of psychopathy.
Psychology 305

23. 3. Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised Screening Version (PCLR: SV)
Instrument used by trained clinicians.
Assesses 12 symptoms associated with psychopathy. Each symptom is scored from 0 – 2 (0 = not present; 2 = item definitely applies).
Consists of 2 factors: Affective/interpersonal features and behavioural features.
Maximum score: 24. A score of 18 is indicative of the presence of psychopathy.
Psychology 305