Biological Traits: Hans Eysenck

Chapter 12

Historical Predecessors
Predecessors of Eysencks theory include Hippocrates Jung Gall Sheldon

Sheldon's Relationships Among Components of Physique and Temperament

Constructing a Model of Personality

Insisted on strict, scientific model of personality that focused on two distinct aspects
Factor-analytic studies providing description of personality Causal analyses based on experimental tests to identify biological causes

Revised theories when predictions were not supported by experimental evidence

Identification of Superfactors
The hierarchical model of personality
Specific responses of behaviors that we can actually observe Habitual response clusters of specific behaviors that characteristically reoccur in similar circumstances Traits Dimensions

Superfactors
Introversion versus Extraversion Degree to which a person is outgoing and participative in relating to other people Emotionality versus Stability Individuals adjustment to the environment and the stability of his or her behavior over time Psychoticism Characterized by the loss or distortion of reality and inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy

The Intercorrelation of Traits

Psychoticism

Thinking Critically
The Lemon Test
Tie a length of thread to the center of a double-tipped cotton swab. Swallow three times and put one end of swab onto your tongue. Hold it in your mouth for 30 seconds. Remove the swab and put four drops of lemon juice on your tongue. Swallow immediately and place the other end of the swab on the same spot. Hold it there for 30 seconds then remove and let the swab hang. Extravert = swab will remain horizontal Introvert = swab will hang down noticeably

The Measurement of Traits

Eysenck critical of self-report nature of personality inventories Used criterion analysis to improve inventory questionnaires Identified two groups of people those with each end of continuum of personality variable Gave each group inventory and examined differences in responses Determined probabilities and developed questionnaire to distinguish between two groups

Sample Questionnaire Items for Personality Research

Questions are taken from Personality and Individual Differences, 6, Eysenck, S.B.G., Eysenck, H.J., & Barrett, P. A revised version of the psychoticism scale, 21-29. Copyright 1985, with permission from Elsevier Science.

Looking for Causal Agents of Behavior

Hypothetical causal explanations
Early suggestion variations in central nervous system levels of inhibition and excitation Revised suggestion specific biological functions responsible for excitation and inhibition Arousal thresholds in the ascending reticular activating system related to introversionextraversion Differences in visceral brain activation related to emotional stability-neuroticism Hormonal differences related to differences in psychoticism

The Reticular Activating System and the Visceral Brain

Normal, Depressed, and Schizophrenic Brain Imagery

The Biological Basis of Behavior and Neurosis

Eysenck connected personality and neurosis to the interplay between the genotype and the environment
We inherit the genotype (anatomical structures) Phenotype comes from its interaction with the environment.

Evoked Potential waveforms: High and Low IQ

Applications of Eysencks Theory

Education Discovery learning Reception learning Study of Creativity Originality Creative achievement Personality, Biology, and Genetics Strong genetic determinants in personality, intelligence, social and sexual behavior, criminality, mental disorders, etc.

Wrapping up Eysenck
Stated that no evidence for usefulness of psychotherapy, and studies supporting psychotherapy were flawed Greatest contribution to personality theory was to connect ideas about personality to causal theories of behavior Contemporary research confirms his conviction that the brain is central to the understanding of behavior and personality