Criminological: Explanation Of Crime (Personality) Flashcards
Who claimed that personality linked to crime?
Eysenck
What did Eysenck believe the 2 dimensions of personality were?
Extroversion/ introversion
Neuroticism/ stability
How would an extroverted be described by Eysenck?
An individual that craves excitement and risk taking, who’s impulsive.
They are less affected by punishment and conditioning.
How would an introvert be described by Eysenck?
Someone who is inward looking and shy.
How would a neurotic person be described by Eysenck?
Nervy and anxious, making them difficult to predict.
How would Eysenck describe a person with high stability?
Predictable and sane.
What did Eysenck believe the criminal personal was?
High extroversion and neuroticism
What was later added as a third dimension to Eysencks theory?
Psychoticism:
Self centred and lacking empathy.
What was Eysencks personality questionnaire called?
Eysenck Personality Inventory.
How does socialisation affect Eysencks theory?
Personality is created through socialisation and childhood this will make someone law abiding or not.
What is the opposing evidence of Eysencks personality theory?
Reductionist: more than one criminal personality.
Impulsivity is a better predicted for crimes of passion, this cannot be applied to planned crime (white collar)
What is a different theory of Eysencks personality theory?
Any of the Bio explanations:
Amygdala/ Brain injury/ XYY Syndrome
What is the application of Eysencks personality theory?
Early Crime Prevention:
Identifying children with a lack of response to punishment that repeatedly misbehave and give them more attention at school and at home to ensure they don’t become offenders.
How does gender relate to Eysencks personality theory of crime?
If psychoticism is linked to testosterone then people with high P score would be men.
What is the supporting evidence of Eysencks personality theory?
Eysencks Personality Index
Criminals scored higher on E, N and P
= These personality types are more likely to commit crime.
