what are the three components that state-trait models allow you to capture the variance of?
1) rapidly changing component (state + measurement error).
2) stable trait component (traits, genes).
3) random trait component (autoregressive trait, slowly/orderly-changing).
what did lucas and donnellan’s 9-year british household panel study tell us about WB being a state/trait?
- that WB is both a state and trait.
- state + measurement error: 30% of variance in life satisfaction
- stable trait: 30-40%
- autoregressive trait: 30%
after correcting for measurement error, roughly 50/50 state and trait.
taken together stable internal factors like genes contribute to long-term WB levels (i.e., baseline), but do not completely set them (circumstance can change them).
what is the hedonic treadmill theory?
- people adapt rapidly and completely to all circumstances.
- WB returns to baseline/pre-event level in positive & negative events.
- this is why situations do not contribute that much to WB.
what are some criticisms of the hedonic treadmill theory (5)?
1) adaptation to some events can occur rapidly (ex. unemployment).
2) adaptation to some events can occur slowly (ex. widowhood).
3) do not always return to baseline (ex. widowhood)
4) adaptation to some events may not at all occur (ex. pleasures of eating).
5) we may have a positivity offset (baseline would be slightly positive, not zero. so even when people return to their baseline, they’re still kind of happy).
T or F: heritability is fixed
- false!
- heritability can increase even though genetic influences have not increased. it is NOT fixed.
what were the major findings of the first behavioural genetics study of SWB (tellegen et al)?
- well-being of mz twins reared apart more similar than mz twins reared together or dz twins reared together/apart (supports genetic contribution).
- heritability of WB: 0.48 (about 50%)
- heritability of positive and negative emotionality: 0.40 and 0.55.
what did the replication of tellegen et al (lykken et al) find?
- compared dispositional cheerfulness of mz and dz twins reared together or apart twice over 10 years
- 50% heritability of well-being
- 50% stability of well-being over 10 years (again, supporting genetic contribution bc about 80% of this stable component is heritable).
what are some criticisms (3) of lykken et al?
1) small sample size
2) only two time-points
3) measure of cheerfulness ≠ WB
what did meta-analyses find in regards to WB being a state or trait?
- bartels’ meta-analysis of 30 twin-family studies of well-being.
- accounting for measurement error: up to ~50% heritability.
- so genes only contribute to about 50% of your WB.
what is a passive gene-environment correlation?
- parents genotype contributes to offspring’s genotype & environment.
what is an evocative gene-environment correlation?
- individual’s genotype evokes an environmental response.
- ex. if i am extroverted, i make other people react in certain ways.
what is an active gene-environment correlation?
- individual’s genotype predisposes individual toward certain environments.
- ex. if i am extroverted, i will choose social environments.
describe epigenetics
- epigenetic marks sit atop genes and can turn them on/off.
- ex. methyl groups turn genes off.
- ex. acetyl groups turn genes on.
a) the mesolimbic dopamine system
is a reward pathway that plays a role in (3) …
b) dopamine systems may underlie what kind of theories?
a) (1) assigning rewards, (2) producing PA, (3) learning.
b) “wanting” / desire fulfillment theories.
a) the endogenous opioid system
plays a role in (3) …
b) the endogenous opioid system may underlie what kind of theories?
a) (1) modulation of affective states + motivation, (2) modulation of neuroendocrine + autonomic stress responses, (3) pain processing (ex. analgesia).
b) “liking” / hedonic theories.
describe cortisol’s relationship with PWB
- hormone regulated by HPA axis + plays important role in our responses to stressors.
- healthy pattern of cortisol secretion correlated with positive affect and PWB.
-cortisol dysregulation implicated in psychological disorders (ex. PTSD).
oxytocin is a hormone that plays a role in (4)
1) birth + lactation (promotes maternal bonding/nurturing behaviour)
2) social behaviour
3) motivation
4) pain responsiveness
which systems (2) does oxytocin interact with?
- mesolimbic dopamine system (can alter dopamine regulation)
- endogenous opioid system
note: limited evidence
what is a hedonic hotspot?
- regions rich in endogenous opioid receptors which amplify pleasant experiences.
-all linked like a chain so, when one hedonic hotspot is activated, others are also activated. - special hedonic hotspot near hypothalamus. when destroyed, seem unable to experience pleasure.
describe the roles of serotonin
- neurotransmitter that effects modulation of mood, cognition, learning, motivation, memory.
- ex. treatment of mood disorders with SSRIs (block reuptake of serotonin, allowing it more opportunity to regulate mood).
- research using genetic markers has shown link between 5-HTT variants, serotonin reuptake, neuroticism and depression.
note: limited evidence
more left hemispheric activation related to ___ emotions and more right hemispheric activation related to ___ emotions.
positive, negative
(greater left activation positively correlated with PA & PWB but not LS)
greater right amygdala activity to ___ pictures correlated with ____.
positive, extraversion
note: relationships weak
what’s the difference between ryff et al’s mirror and distinct hypotheses? which one has more supporting evidence?
mirror: PWB and PIB should have the similar biological correlates, but with opposite directional signs (bipolar opposites).
distinct: PWB and PIB are independent constructs and should have different biological correlates.
- more evidence for distinct hypothesis – only physical health indicators that supported mirror hypothesis are that blood sugar levels + weight were negatively associated with WB and positively related to IB.
describe the temperamental component of the temperamental-instrumental view of extraversion, neuroticism, and WB
temperamental component:
- certain personality traits represent enduring dispositions leading to SWB.
- behavioural activation system (BAS) controls approach motivation, argue that extraversion controls this strength.
- behavioural inhibition system (BIS) controls avoidance motivation, some argue that neuroticism controls this strength.
