PBSI Exam 2 questions with complete
solutions graded A+ passed
genetics - correct answer ✔✔-the DNA inherited from one's biological parents
-one type of biological influence on personality
Environment - correct answer ✔✔-experiences after birth, both shared and nonshared
genetics are biology are.. - correct answer ✔✔NOT the same, biology= a broader term
Shared environment - correct answer ✔✔family + home environment that siblings share
nonshared environment - correct answer ✔✔experiences not shared by siblings (e.g., friends,
activities, personal experiences)
Neurotransmitters - correct answer ✔✔chemicals that travel across the synapse between
neurons where they cause a chemical reaction that has an excitatory or inhibitory effect
NT's (more details) - correct answer ✔✔-neurological system
-sent across synapse
-instantaneous (milliseconds)
-localized, smaller scale comms
-affect nearby cells
Hormones - correct answer ✔✔biological substances that affect the body in locations different
from where they were typically produced
,Hormones (more details) - correct answer ✔✔-typically produced in pituitary gland or adrenal
cortex
-endocrine system
-sent throughout bloodstream
-slightly longer (mins to hours)
-affect more distant areas in body
What role does dopamine play in the body? - correct answer ✔✔Dopamine allows the body to
control body movements.
How does dopamine influence behavior towards rewards? - correct answer ✔✔Dopamine is
associated with responses to reward and tendencies to approach appealing objects and people.
What personality traits are related to dopamine? - correct answer ✔✔Dopamine is related to
sociability, general activity level, and novelty seeking.
What negative effects may be linked to dopamine? - correct answer ✔✔Dopamine may have a
possible relation with bipolar disorder and impulsivity.
what big 5 trait has dopamine been linked to? - correct answer ✔✔High openness to
experience
Behavioral Activation System - correct answer ✔✔activated by dopamine, reinforces behavior
(motivates) in response to the anticipation of reward
Serotonin - correct answer ✔✔-plays a role in the control of behavioral impulses, fear, and
anxiety
-lowers anger, sensitivity + excess worry
, what do serotonin agonists do? - correct answer ✔✔(increase net overall lvl of serotonin)
reduce the feelings of fear + anxiety by reducing the degree to which the amygdala reacts to
threatening stimuli
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - correct answer ✔✔-may be useful in reducing
neuroticism (depression + anxiety)
-Does not actually make you happier, but may make negative emotions less severe (diminish
intensity)
How does Serotonin affect personality traits? - correct answer ✔✔-helps ppl organize behavior
+ get work done (CONSCIENTIOUSNESS)
-helps ppl get along with others (AGREEABLENESS)
-helps ppl avoid mood swings + emotional overreactions to life events (NEUROTICISM)
Hormones: Epinephrine (adrenaline) + Norepinephrine - correct answer ✔✔-play a central role
in brain function
-released in response to stress to create the fight-or-flight response
Tend-andbefriend response - correct answer ✔✔under stress, people (especially women) often
provide support to others (tend) and bond with and seek support from others (befriend)
Hormone: Oxytocin (the love hormone) - correct answer ✔✔-promotes nurturant + sociable
behaviors
-promotes relaxation + reduction of fear
-can decrease anxiety + increase attachment btwn mother + children (bonding)
solutions graded A+ passed
genetics - correct answer ✔✔-the DNA inherited from one's biological parents
-one type of biological influence on personality
Environment - correct answer ✔✔-experiences after birth, both shared and nonshared
genetics are biology are.. - correct answer ✔✔NOT the same, biology= a broader term
Shared environment - correct answer ✔✔family + home environment that siblings share
nonshared environment - correct answer ✔✔experiences not shared by siblings (e.g., friends,
activities, personal experiences)
Neurotransmitters - correct answer ✔✔chemicals that travel across the synapse between
neurons where they cause a chemical reaction that has an excitatory or inhibitory effect
NT's (more details) - correct answer ✔✔-neurological system
-sent across synapse
-instantaneous (milliseconds)
-localized, smaller scale comms
-affect nearby cells
Hormones - correct answer ✔✔biological substances that affect the body in locations different
from where they were typically produced
,Hormones (more details) - correct answer ✔✔-typically produced in pituitary gland or adrenal
cortex
-endocrine system
-sent throughout bloodstream
-slightly longer (mins to hours)
-affect more distant areas in body
What role does dopamine play in the body? - correct answer ✔✔Dopamine allows the body to
control body movements.
How does dopamine influence behavior towards rewards? - correct answer ✔✔Dopamine is
associated with responses to reward and tendencies to approach appealing objects and people.
What personality traits are related to dopamine? - correct answer ✔✔Dopamine is related to
sociability, general activity level, and novelty seeking.
What negative effects may be linked to dopamine? - correct answer ✔✔Dopamine may have a
possible relation with bipolar disorder and impulsivity.
what big 5 trait has dopamine been linked to? - correct answer ✔✔High openness to
experience
Behavioral Activation System - correct answer ✔✔activated by dopamine, reinforces behavior
(motivates) in response to the anticipation of reward
Serotonin - correct answer ✔✔-plays a role in the control of behavioral impulses, fear, and
anxiety
-lowers anger, sensitivity + excess worry
, what do serotonin agonists do? - correct answer ✔✔(increase net overall lvl of serotonin)
reduce the feelings of fear + anxiety by reducing the degree to which the amygdala reacts to
threatening stimuli
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - correct answer ✔✔-may be useful in reducing
neuroticism (depression + anxiety)
-Does not actually make you happier, but may make negative emotions less severe (diminish
intensity)
How does Serotonin affect personality traits? - correct answer ✔✔-helps ppl organize behavior
+ get work done (CONSCIENTIOUSNESS)
-helps ppl get along with others (AGREEABLENESS)
-helps ppl avoid mood swings + emotional overreactions to life events (NEUROTICISM)
Hormones: Epinephrine (adrenaline) + Norepinephrine - correct answer ✔✔-play a central role
in brain function
-released in response to stress to create the fight-or-flight response
Tend-andbefriend response - correct answer ✔✔under stress, people (especially women) often
provide support to others (tend) and bond with and seek support from others (befriend)
Hormone: Oxytocin (the love hormone) - correct answer ✔✔-promotes nurturant + sociable
behaviors
-promotes relaxation + reduction of fear
-can decrease anxiety + increase attachment btwn mother + children (bonding)
