6.1.1 Eysenck's PEN

Question 1

What does Eysenck’s (1977) personality theory combine in the explanation?

Answer 1

• Biological & social
  > Argued personality is determined by genetics but effects are shown under the influence of envir factors

Question 2

How does the combination of biological and social factors relate to criminal behaviour?

Answer 2

> Certain traits r more likely to incl anti-social behav due to being less susceptible to conditioning, so a violent disposition could be expressed due to stress of envir leading to violent crime

Question 3

Define ‘extroversion’ + traits

Answer 3

Enjoys socialising, parties, talking to friends

Question 4

Explain why being an extrovert increases the likelihood of criminal behaviour

Answer 4

1) Underactive CNS- seeks excitement from risk-taking behaviour eg crime, to stimulate CNS
2) Strong dopamine pathway a)reward b)pleasure; constantly seeks eg commits blue collar crime eg robbery (reward- gold)

Question 5

Define ‘psychoticism’ + traits

Answer 5

Aggression, coldness, lack of empathy,remorse, impersonal attitude, impulsitivity

Question 6

Explain why being a psychopath increases the likelihood of criminal behaviour

Answer 6

Increased levels of testosterone are related to psychotic episodes and low levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) leading to lack of empathy and irregular expression/understanding of emotion may lead to not understanding pain caused to victims of crime.
> SO may not understand pain caused to victims of crime, so they commit more crimes eg violent

Question 7

Define ‘ neuroticism + traits

Answer 7

Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, irrationality

Question 8

Explain why being neurotic may increase the likelihood of criminal behaviour

Answer 8

Nature
SNS- found in ANS is responsible for fight/flight response, sympathetic = quick to turn on + parasympathetic (calm state) quick to turn off; emotional instability/ neuroticism. Those w neuroticism react strongly to stressful situations, may act aggressively in outbursts eg violent, opportunistic crimes.
Nurture
Likely to seek out anti-social activity + resist social conditioning bc of emotional instability

Question 9

What is the most important social difference between extroverts and introverts that may result in criminality from one and not the other?

Answer 9

Introverts = easier to condition, more likely to be conditioned to social laws + know right from wrong

Question 10

How does gender relate to Eysenck’s personality theory and crime?

Answer 10

If psychoticism relates to testosterone, ppl w high P score will be men, but women also have testosterone in their bodies so would also account for criminality

Question 11

Summarise Eysenck’s personality theory and its explanation for criminal behaviour.

Answer 11

Extroverts - They seek thrill due to under-arousal of the ARAS as it favours inhibition of external stimulation and so can turn to crime like theft to gain the thrill needed
Neuroticism - Overreacting due to unstable response to fight/flight in sympathetic nervous system may lead to aggressive outbursts that can in turn lead to violent crimes
Psychoticism - Men are more likely to lack empathy due to higher testosterone levels which can lead to violent crimes from an episode or lowered MAO which leads to lack of empathy and so murder due to not understanding emotional implications on victims

Question 12

EACH-Evidence

Answer 12

1.P- Eysencks EPI supports
E- Found criminals scored higher on P,E,N, than non-criminals
E- S, Suggests criminals exhibit these personality traits more than non criminals, high PEN scores are indicative of who commits crimes
2.P-Rushton (1981) supports
E- Found relationship between P, E aspects of PEN and criminality.
E- S, provides evidence for PEN as expl for criminality
C/A- Didnt find link for neuroticism

Question 13

EACH-Application

Answer 13

P-Yes
E-Suggests that underlying crim behave are identifiable since childhood
E-Allows for interventions based off of parenting to reduce delinquency/ crim behav as delinquency has strong ties to P + E from Eysenck’s PEN

Question 14

EACH- Criticisms

Answer 14

1.P-Deterministic
E- Gale et al (1983) found no differences between EEG measures for cortisal arousal.
E- W, critiques Eysenck’s deterministic concl that extroverts require excitmenet for under active CNS via impulsive acts eg opportunistic crime. However, this evidence suggests extro doesn’t require more arousal than intro, deterministic concl for crim behav.
2.P-Howitt (2009) rejects
E- Critiques Eyenck’s lack of cause and effect, tells us those w high PEN are child abusers/rapists, but doesn’t tell us why they commit these crimes.
E- W, not developed enough as an explanation for crim behav

Question 15

EACH- How good?

Answer 15

H-
1.P-Less reductionist
E-Eysenck considered bio eg extroversion + underactive CNS/ dopamine pathway stimulation, + envir factors eg psychotics having lack of remorse + personal relationships
E- S, comprehensive explanation of crim behav
2.P-Rushton et al (1981)
E- Didn’t find relationship between delinquency + neuroticism
E- W, suggests there’s key diffs between 3 personality traits, lowers credibility as an explanation of crim behav