1. How does the brain work?
The brain is a very important organ that is a part of the central nervous system. It is usually seen as a complicated highway that controls the whole body and many of its tasks thanks to the neurons that make it up. Neurons are very similar to regular cells, except for the fact that they have an electrochemical aspect to them which allows them to transmit information to the rest of the body. There are many different types of neurons which target certain body parts and certain reactions, which is how the brain manages to control the whole human body.
The brain, thanks to all the neurons, controls many body functions including blood movement (blood pressure, blood temperature, and heart rate), breathing, the five basic senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste), physical movement (walking, talking, standing, sitting, etc.), learning, memory, thinking, dreaming, reasoning, and emotions.
All these different functions are controlled by different parts of the brain, specifically the lobes that make up the Cerebrum, also known as the Cerebral Cortex. The Cerebral Cortex is made up of four lobes; Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, and Temporal, all of which have control over separate functions. The Frontal Lobe focuses on tasks such as thinking, planning, organizing, problem solving, short-term memory, and movement. The Parietal Lobe is most concerned with sensory, such as taste and touch. The Occipital Lobe processes images seen by the eyes, and links them to your memory. This section is responsible for recognition of people, objects, and places. Finally, the Temporal Lobe is responsible mainly for memory storage, however also covers aspects of sensory, including smell, taste, and sound.
All these different functions are controlled by different parts of the brain, specifically the lobes that make up the Cerebrum, also known as the Cerebral Cortex. The Cerebral Cortex is made up of four lobes; Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, and Temporal, all of which have control over separate functions. The Frontal Lobe focuses on tasks such as thinking, planning, organizing, problem solving, short-term memory, and movement. The Parietal Lobe is most concerned with sensory, such as taste and touch. The Occipital Lobe processes images seen by the eyes, and links them to your memory. This section is responsible for recognition of people, objects, and places. Finally, the Temporal Lobe is responsible mainly for memory storage, however also covers aspects of sensory, including smell, taste, and sound.
Aside from the Cerebrum, the brain has many other components which help with other basic and complex body functions. The Cerebellum lies behind the rest of the brain and is the section that combines sensory information (information received through the five senses) to help the muscles with movement. The Brain Stem links the brain to the spinal cord and control vital life processes, such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and most importantly, sleep! The Thalamus is the gatekeeper which passes messages from the spinal cord to the various parts of the brain. The Hypothalamus mainly controls your emotions and any urges caused by them (sleeping, eating, etc.). Finally, the Hippocampus stores memories in various sections of the brain and recalls them when it needs to.
As you can see, the brain is an extremely complex organ which has a lot more to it than the scrunched up ball it appears to be. It is the centre of everything your body does and plays a crucial role in your survival as an organism. Although the brain has many more functions, abilities, and parts than listed above, you can already get an idea as to how significant this vital organ is.
2. What is personality and "The Big Five"?
Personality
is a complicated concept that cannot specifically be defined in one sure way.
Generally, personality looks at our mental and behavioural characteristics to
define us based on certain traits. These various traits are ways of summarizing
the ways we perceive, act, and react by examining our thinking, behavioural, and
emotional patterns.
People can usually determine their personality type and traits by referring to the “Big Five”. The “Big Five” is a group of five broad categories that house various personality traits. The first group is known as Extroversion, which consists of traits such as outgoing, energetic, and sociable. The second group, Openness, refers to people who enjoy variety, novelty, challenge, and intellectual stimulation. Group three is known as Neuroticism and refers to your ability to handle unpleasant emotions, such as irritation and annoyance. Agreeableness, the fourth group, gives people traits such as friendly, compassionate, and cooperative. Finally, Conscientiousness, group five, refers to one’s level of self-discipline and self-control.
People can usually determine their personality type and traits by referring to the “Big Five”. The “Big Five” is a group of five broad categories that house various personality traits. The first group is known as Extroversion, which consists of traits such as outgoing, energetic, and sociable. The second group, Openness, refers to people who enjoy variety, novelty, challenge, and intellectual stimulation. Group three is known as Neuroticism and refers to your ability to handle unpleasant emotions, such as irritation and annoyance. Agreeableness, the fourth group, gives people traits such as friendly, compassionate, and cooperative. Finally, Conscientiousness, group five, refers to one’s level of self-discipline and self-control.
The Big Five include many personality traits, not all of which may suit one person. When someone is tested by the Big Five, they are not categorized under a certain group. They are shown to what extent they follow the qualifications of each group and generally what kind of personality they have. Personality tests that use the Big Five theory ask many questions that correspond to a variety of traits that fall under that group. You are asked to rate yourself on a scale as to how much you believe you possess that trait or quality. In the end, all your results are added up to help you see where you personality generally lies.
If you would like to do a personality test to see where you lie in the Big Five, follow this link: https://sapa-project.org/
If you would like to do a personality test to see where you lie in the Big Five, follow this link: https://sapa-project.org/
3. How does the brain relate to personality?
As described earlier, the brain is an extremely complex organ that can be divided up in many ways. One of the main divisions is by the top and bottom hemisphere. The top part of the brain is the one that would usually formulate and execute plans, such as where to go, and how to get there. The bottom half of the brain tends to be more concerned with analyzing, interpreting, and classifying information coming in from the outside world. These two hemispheres are always working together, however to a different extent in each person. The amount that someone uses each half relative to the other determines which one of four basic cognitive modes (general patterns of thinking) that person tends to have.
The four cognitive modes are Mover, Perceiver, Stimulator, and Adaptor. Someone who uses both hemispheres of the brain a lot are considered Movers. People of this mode tend to act on a plan and register consequences to adapt to feedback. When someone uses the bottom brain much more than the top brain, they are considered a Perceiver. These people tend to have a slightly more abstract way of thinking because they interpret thoughts and actions, put them into context, and try to understand their impacts. However, they are usually not able to act on a detailed plan. Stimulators are people who use their top brain considerably more than their bottom brain. This means that the person can be extremely creative and original, but their ability to adjust their behaviour based on the situation can be impaired. Finally, a person who uses neither part of the brain very much is an Adaptor. This means that they would be action-oriented and responsive, however do not remain fully focused on interpreting their experiences.
The four cognitive modes are Mover, Perceiver, Stimulator, and Adaptor. Someone who uses both hemispheres of the brain a lot are considered Movers. People of this mode tend to act on a plan and register consequences to adapt to feedback. When someone uses the bottom brain much more than the top brain, they are considered a Perceiver. These people tend to have a slightly more abstract way of thinking because they interpret thoughts and actions, put them into context, and try to understand their impacts. However, they are usually not able to act on a detailed plan. Stimulators are people who use their top brain considerably more than their bottom brain. This means that the person can be extremely creative and original, but their ability to adjust their behaviour based on the situation can be impaired. Finally, a person who uses neither part of the brain very much is an Adaptor. This means that they would be action-oriented and responsive, however do not remain fully focused on interpreting their experiences.
So how exactly do these modes of the brain relate to our personality? Well, every person possesses each of these cognitive modes to some extent. However, one of these modes is usually more dominant and useful than the others. The dominant mode holds the central identity of our attitudes, beliefs, and emotions, which are the basic features of personality. Therefore, the trend in how you use the hemispheres of your brain demonstrate the emotions, actions, and behaviours that apply to you the most accurately to determine what kind of personality you have. Also, using a certain hemisphere of your brain means that certain sections of your brain are used and exercised more than others, which means they will be greater in size. The larger sized section will act as a dominant region of the brain so your personality will also correspond with that. For example, people who have a large prefrontal cortex are more conscientious because of the planning and controlling behaviours of this region of the brain. In conclusion, the way you use and exercise your brain has a huge impact on your personality because the Cognitive Mode that best suits you affects the size of your brain and the part you use most. So, having trouble figuring out your personality? Use the Cognitive Modes and see, what kind of personality do you have?
4. How do genetics and environment impact personality?
Genetics are not usually a very predominant factor in determining one’s personality because personalities are usually developed due to one’s own habits and experiences. However, this does not mean that genetics and environment do not have a role at all. In fact, studies show that up to 50% of someone’s personality traits are inherited.
Genetic personality studies have previously aimed to locate specific genes in the DNA that might correspond with certain personality traits. However, this has been revised to look at how activating certain genes in the DNA can impact someone’s personality. Genes are usually activated by the surrounding environment which determines which genes are activated by what surroundings. These activations are essentially small changes to the DNA that causes everyone to develop their own individuality because they cause changes in looks, abilities, brain functioning, and other factors that essentially work together to form one’s personality.
Genetics also impact personalities in twins; mostly identical twins. Twin studies have shown that identical twins tend to have similar intelligence levels, and similar general abilities. Since these are two major factors in determining personality, it allows the two identical individuals to share many of the same traits, although their personality remains unique as a whole.
Genetic personality studies have previously aimed to locate specific genes in the DNA that might correspond with certain personality traits. However, this has been revised to look at how activating certain genes in the DNA can impact someone’s personality. Genes are usually activated by the surrounding environment which determines which genes are activated by what surroundings. These activations are essentially small changes to the DNA that causes everyone to develop their own individuality because they cause changes in looks, abilities, brain functioning, and other factors that essentially work together to form one’s personality.
Genetics also impact personalities in twins; mostly identical twins. Twin studies have shown that identical twins tend to have similar intelligence levels, and similar general abilities. Since these are two major factors in determining personality, it allows the two identical individuals to share many of the same traits, although their personality remains unique as a whole.