- Consider the Research by Zhu, Ziang, Fan, and Han in the text on Cross-Cultural Differences in Brain Activation When Considering the Self. What does it mean to have a self-concept that is so fused with representations of others?
What does it mean to have a self-concept that is NOT fused with representations of others? What might the behavioral implications be? Suggested Topic Heading: Self-Concept and Cross-Cultural Differences - Some psychologists have suggested that while individuals tend to use traits to describe themselves and others, this merely tells us something about the cognitive functioning of individuals and about their interpersonal perceptions– it does not tell us that traits represent the best tools for the scientific analysis of personality.
How important is the fact that the layperson finds the trait a useful construct? If we accept the importance of the layperson’s use of this construct for theory development, does this also commit us to accept the specific trait names and categorizations used by the layperson? Suggested Topic Heading: Trait Constructs - Big five terms are great for describing differences between people. But are they also good for explaining people’s behavior? Is it reasonable to say that “Liz smiled and greeted people happily because she is an extravert”?
Or is that similar to saying “It is sunny and warm in San Diego this week because San Diego has nice weather”? In other words, is this sort of “explanation” one that just takes you around in circles? Suggested Topic Heading: The Five-Factor Model - The text discusses research on brain systems involved in higher-level psychological functions, such as self-concept. How much do we learn about such psychological functions by studying the brain? In other words, since we know that some systems in the brain have to be involved in any psychological function, does an analysis of underlying neuroanatomy answer the most pressing questions about personality?
Or does it leave unanswered critical questions about the ways in which these psychological capacities develop and function in the social world? In short: Can there be the neuroscience of personality? Suggested Topic Heading: The Brain and Psychological Functions. - Skinner suggests that since environmental control is ever-present, we should learn to make maximum use of these environmental influences. He also suggests that concern with internal variables, such as emotion and motivation, as explanations of behavior has led psychologists astray.
Do you think this approach would lead to more scientific psychology? Or might it instead of creating psychology that fails to develop a science of important aspects of human experience? Suggested Topic Heading: Skinner and Environmental Influences.