Criminal Behaviour (Eysenck's Criminal Personality) Flashcards
What was Eysenck’s initial intention in developing his personality theory?
Eysenck did not initially develop his personality theory for criminals; he intended to create a universal test of personality that could be applied to all people.
What are the three aspects of personality that Eysenck’s test measures?
Extraversion, Neuroticism, Psychoticism.
What does Extraversion measure in Eysenck’s theory?
Extraversion measures how outgoing and sociable a person is.
What are some traits of someone high in Extraversion?
Enjoys the company of others, gains pleasure from socializing, irresponsible, impulsive, sociable.
What does Neuroticism measure in Eysenck’s theory?
Neuroticism measures how emotional or prone to anxiety a person is.
What does a low score in Neuroticism indicate?
A low score in Neuroticism indicates emotional stability.
What does Psychoticism measure in Eysenck’s theory?
Psychoticism measures the willingness to break rules and being non-conforming.
What are some traits of someone high in Psychoticism?
Tough-minded, inconsiderate, reckless, hostile.
What is the biological basis for Eysenck’s personality theory?
Eysenck proposed that personality is based on biological factors, arguing that individuals inherit a type of nervous system that affects their ability to learn and adapt.
How do extroverts and introverts differ biologically according to Eysenck?
Extroverts have an under-aroused nervous system and seek stimulation, while introverts are over-aroused and avoid stimulation.
What role does the sympathetic nervous system play in Neuroticism?
The level of neuroticism is determined by the reactivity of the sympathetic nervous system; stable individuals are less reactive to stress, while neurotic individuals are more reactive.
What biological factor is linked to Psychoticism?
Psychoticism is related to high levels of testosterone.
How does Eysenck link criminal behavior to personality?
Criminal behavior arises from a failure in socialization, where individuals fail to learn societal rules due to their personality traits.
How do extraversion and neuroticism affect conditioning and socialization?
Extraverts condition more slowly, while introverts condition quickly; high neuroticism makes conditioning less effective and increases the likelihood of criminal behavior.
How does psychoticism relate to criminal behavior?
High psychoticism is associated with aggression, rule-breaking, impulsivity, and a tendency toward criminal behavior.
What did McGurk and McDougall (1981) find in their study on delinquent students?
They found that delinquent students had both high neuroticism and high extraversion, whereas non-delinquent students had low scores for both traits.
What did Dunlop et al (2012) find in their study on delinquency?
They found that both extraversion and psychoticism were good predictors of delinquency in students.
What is the nature-nurture aspect of Eysenck’s theory?
Eysenck argues that biological predispositions towards certain personality traits combined with childhood conditioning and socialization shape our personalities.
What is a critique of the cause and effect in Eysenck’s theory?
The cause and effect are not clear-cut, as traits like extraversion and psychoticism may appear more in criminal populations because of the criminal lifestyle, not solely because of inherent traits.
What is a limitation of studying convicted criminals in relation to Eysenck’s theory?
There is sample bias since only convicted criminals are studied, and their personality traits may differ from those who have not been caught.
What is a critique regarding Eysenck’s theory being reductionist?
Eysenck’s theory is criticized for oversimplifying crime by attributing it to personality traits, without considering other complex factors.
What are some biases in Eysenck’s theory?
Gender and culture bias, as well as ethical issues, such as blaming the criminal for their behavior.
Why is the definition of crime in Eysenck’s theory problematic?
The definition of crime is constantly shifting, varies by culture, and can change over time.
