preview

Biological Model Of Personality

Decent Essays

Another model of personality, like the trait approach, is the biological model. This is by far the most scientific of all of the different models and is also the most prosperous, meaning that it regularly releases new discoveries. The biological model largely focuses on the functions of the brain and how that affects personality. Typically, this requires observation by brain mapping for the most accurate results, but since this is not available, the results will be inferred from subject A’s known personality. First, there are three main regions of the brain, the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the forebrain. The ascending reticular activating system, or ARAS, is present in the hindbrain and is known for taking in information from the world and …show more content…

The amygdala is the main system responsible for emotion regulation in the brain. Historically, subject A feels that she is not emotionally susceptible and hardly ever allows emotions to interfere with her daily activities. Therefore, this statement allows for the belief that her amygdala is on the slower side and does not register emotions as intensely as those whose amygdala processes at a faster rate. The other important part of the midbrain is the anterior cingulate, which is vastly important for error detection. When people get that uncanny feeling that something is wrong, or that they are forgetting something, this is the part of the brain that lights up and it will continue to naw at the person until he is certain that everything is in order. This was slightly more difficult for A to decipher which side she fell on, but she resolved that she most likely has an average speed of anterior cingulate, if not somewhat on the quick side. This means that she experiences this aching feeling that something is awry, but not to the extent that would constitute her to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or even perfectionism, which is a lesser intense form of …show more content…

This region is mostly inhabited with the frontal and prefrontal cortex, the most human and advanced part of the brain. It is safe to say that this section is the most largely responsible for a human’s personality. The frontal cortex conducts many different functions including inhibition, initiation, emotional regulation, logical reasoning, and even empathy, making it the most complex region of the brain. Inhibition is located in the orbitofrontal cortex, or straight behind the eyes, on the right side of the brain. This function creates the ability for impulse control and acts as a filter to verbal and physical actions. It is challenging to correctly decipher exactly how her orbitofrontal cortex operates, but she is certain that it is not sluggish. She does not experience any trouble filtering what she does or says. With an educated belief, A has deduced that her impulse control is likely average, neither strong or weak. Also based in the orbitofrontal cortex is the initiation complex. However, this is actually on the left side of the brain, unlike inhibition. This function translates a person’s intentions into an action. Subject A has stated that although sometimes she struggles beginning a new task, once started, little derails her progress. She is also highly goal oriented, meaning that everything she does is always to complete a higher plan. This information constructs the idea that maybe her left orbitofrontal cortex fires

Get Access