Criminal behaviour- Individual difference explanation Flashcards
What is the first individual difference explanation?
Eysenck’s criminal personality theory
What did Eysenck believe?
Believed that there are different personality types
3 dimensions related to personality in which we can measure
What are the 3 personality dimensions?
1) Extroversion
- social, lively optimistic
X introversion
2) Neuroticism
- high levels of anxiety, moody, irritable
3) Psychoticism
- impulsive, impatient, aggressive, creative
X Self control
Biological basis of criminal personality
- differences in personality have a biological basis
- moderated by our environment
- bridge the gap between biological & psychological explanation
- criminals inherit a type of nervous system that affects their ability to learn and adapt to the environment
Psychoticism/normality
Related to high levels of testosterone
- lower levels, more normal, balanced behaviour
Lack of self control
How does psychoticism lead to criminal behaviour?
Aggressive, impulsive, lack of empathy
- crimes like murder, planned offences etc
Extroversion/introversion
E - inherit an under aroused nervous system and so seek stimulation to restore the level of optimum stimulation
I- quiet, reserved, over aroused and shun sensation and stimulation
How does extraversion lead to criminal behaviour?
More arousal needed, seek out dangerous situations, more impulsive actions
- theft, robbery etc
Neuroticism/Stability
N- unstable, prone to overreacting to stimuli, quick to anger or fear
S- nervous system less reactive t stressful situations, calm, level headed
REACTIVITY OF SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- fight or flight
How does neuroticism lead to criminal behaviour?
Unstable, overreact, more likely to lead to criminal acts that aren’t planned
- escalated event
- passion, assault after a argument
The role of socialisation on criminal personality
innate personality traits + socialisation = criminal behaviour
nature + nurture
What does Eysenck say about the role of socialisation on criminal personality?
Explained through a combination of innate personality traits and socialisation
- born with certain personality traits, may predispose them to criminality
- interaction with environment is important in the development
How does this link to conditioning?
Socialisation element occurs during childhood, punished for bad behaviour (operant conditioning)
- high score on E and N less easily conditioned
Why are children who score highly on Extraversion and Neuroticism less easily conditioned?
They are not scared of punishment that follows bad behaviour, don’t learn to follow the rules
Research support for the role of socialisation
Eysenck and Eysenck
2,070 male prisoners and 2,442 male control
- given the questionnaire
- subdivided into age groups 16-69
- prisoners higher on all 3 scales
