L1 - Introduction

Question 1

Pioneers in differential psychology

Answer 1

• Galton wrote about ID of talent + character, and developed index of correlation
• Spearman expanded on his work, introducing factor analysis. Enabled data-driven study of ID

Question 2

Early studies of ID (Heymans)

Answer 2

• Coded 110 historical figures on 88 personality characteristics and three major personality traits to build a classification of personality types
• Collected data for 2415 individuals from 437 families
• Concluded impulsivity is hereditary between 42-48%

Question 3

Early 20th Century

Answer 3

• Intelligence tests, used to screen immigrants (Simon-Binet test)
• IQ used as the ratio of mental age to chronological age (Stern)
• Army Alpha test + emotional testing for military
• Advancement in psychometrics (theory + technique of measurement)

Question 4

Mid 20th Century

Answer 4

• Cattell distinguished between surface and source traits, and dynamic ability + stable temperaments
• He later developed fluid-crystallised g model of intelligence + the 16 Personality Factors Inventory.
• Eysenck used behaviour measures to search for consistency in ID. Developed biological theory of personality (PEN model)

Question 5

Late 20th Century

Answer 5

• Turn away from ID, behaviourism dominated psych
• Personality + ID became active again after awhile
• Most self-report personality inventories explained by Big-Five dimensions
• Studies showed predictive values of personality + ability variables in occupational settings

Question 6

From 2000s

Answer 6

-ID applied in other settings (education and health)

• Research method expanded beyond self-report questionnaires (data collection, analysis and experimental paradigm)

Question 7

MRI + fMRI

Answer 7

• Observation of brain structure + function associated with ID
• Association between intelligence + cortical thickness in frontal + temporal lobes (MRI)
• Heightened left hemisphere activation associated with approach temperament (fMRI)
• Patients with PTSD showed smaller amygdala volume (MRI)

Question 8

Behavioural Genetics

Answer 8

• Family, twin and adoption studies allow estimate of heritability of traits
• Behaviour genetics techniques enable identification of specific genes related to ID in phenotypes

Question 9

The person vs the situation

Answer 9

• Research in ID often decontextualised
• Emphasis of importance of situation in behaviours (Mischel + Shoda)
• Bloom of cross-cultural psychology raised awareness to role of socio-cultural contexts in ID + implications to their measurements