3.1.2 Individual differences exp. 2: Esyenck's Criminal Personality

Question 1

Eysenck’s (1967,1978) theory of criminal personality overveiw

Answer 1

• personality can be described in 3 dimensions
• these 3 dimensions have a genetic bias
• an adults personality is a mix of biological tendencies combined with learning experiences
  –> this can be used to explain why some people commit crimes

Question 2

What are eysenck’s 3 dimensions

Answer 2

1. Psychotocism
2. Extraversion
3. Nueroticism

Question 3

Psychoticism

Answer 3

• opposite of normality
  > egocentric
  > aggressive
  > impulsive
  > lack of empathy
  > no concern over anyone else’s welfare

Question 4

Extraversion

Answer 4

• opposite of introversion
  > outgoing
  > positive emotions
  > easily bored

> more likely to take risks
- could explain why they commit crime

Question 5

Nueroticism

Answer 5

• opposite of stability
  > often experience negative emotional states
  e.g anger, anxiety, depression

Question 6

what is Reticular Activation System (RAS) in terms of introversion and extroversion

Answer 6

• part of the brain linking the brain & spinal cord that regulates the stimuli sent to the cerebral cortex
• in extroverts, the cerebral cortex is under-aroused because stimuli is restricted by RAS
• extroverts have stronger dopamine reward system
• introverts have a high baseline for arousal levels in RAS - become overstimulated in high social and chaotic environments
• introverts process information more internally and take more time to reflect on situations before responding
  –> can be influenced by RAS’s role in attention and focus

Question 7

Why is an extrovert more likely to engage in criminal activities?

Answer 7

• people who score highly in N and E do not condition well
  –> they don’t learn society’s rules and social norms easily
  –> don’t respond well to punishment

therefore, these personalities will be more common in criminal populations

Question 8

Nueroticism - stability determination

Answer 8

nueroticism is determined by the reactivity of the sympathetic nervous system

• stable person = less reactive to stressful situations
• unstable person = prone to overacting, may be quick to anger or fear

Question 9

High nueroticism characteristics

Answer 9

1. emotional instability
2. high sensitivity to stress
3. negative thinking
4. worry and anxiety
5. overeacting
6. self- doubt & insecurity

Question 10

Neuroticism link to anti-social behaviours

Answer 10

• highly unstable - difficult to condition
• poor socialisation - increases likelihood of criminal behaviour

Question 11

Psychoticism link to behaviours

Answer 11

high level of aggression and lack of empathy can be linked to high testosterone levels
> links to criminality