AC 2.2- individualistic theories- personality theories

Question 1

eysenck: what did he suggest (2)

Answer 1

-criminality is dependent on personality- it is the result of a particular personality
-proposed 2 dimensions of personality and added a 3rd one later after further research

Question 2

eysenck: what are findings for criminality personality traits based on (2)

Answer 2

-based on conditioning (learning through experience- if punished for a behaviour, we dont repeat it)
-based on genetics (inherited nerbous system- if we inherit a particular nervous system, we act accordingly eg. neurotically)

Question 3

eysenck: what were the 3 sections of the personality questionnaire

Answer 3

• extrovert <——> introvert
• neurotic <——–> emotionally stable
• psychoticism <——-> self-control

Question 4

eysenck: what is the PEN personality

Answer 4

Pyshcoticism
Extraversion
Neuroticism

Question 5

eysenck: characteristics of neutoric people (3)

Answer 5

-unstable due to nervous system being overreactive- more volatile reaction to situations
-fail to learn from mistakes
-hard to condition due to high anxiety

Question 6

eysenck: characteristics of extraverted people (3)

Answer 6

-seek simulation through criminality
-impulsive
-under-aroused nervous system

Question 7

evaluation
2 strengths

Answer 7

-useful in describing how some measurable tendencies can increase risk of offending
-predicts that high P, E and N scores lead to criminaity- some studies support this

Question 8

evaluation
2 limitations

Answer 8

-evidence on prisoners shows correlation between personality+criminality- it doesnt prove that personality causes criminality. could be other way round- prison causes neuroticism
-E scale may be measuring 2 separate things- impulsiveness and self control. offenders score high on impulsiveness (lacks self control) but not on sociability (they’re introverts)