evaluation of eysenck's personality theory Flashcards
what is a strength of eysenck’s personality theory?
measurable tendencies- which can lead to interventions being put into place
why is eysenck’s personality theory having measurable tendencies a strength?
useful to asses if there is an increase of an individual offending and the risk.
easy to identify those at risk of becoming offenders
what is a limitation of eysenck’s personality theory?
(relating to social aspects)
social desirability bias
why is social desirability bias in eysenck’s personality theory a limitation?
research into this theory has been conducted through questionnaires to assess personality type
typically criticised on the grounds having low validity- individuals may lie on them to make themselves look more favourable to themselves or others
the questionnaires may not measure what they set out to
what is another limitation of eysenck’s personality theory?
(relating to prove right or wrong)
validity
why is the validity of eysenck’s personality theory a limitation?
farrington examined a range of studies which showed prisoners are neurotic and psychotic
NOT
extroverted
what is another limitation of eysenck’s personality theory?
(relating to what is does or doesn’t represent)
unrepresentative
why is eysenck’s personality theory being unrepresentative a limitation?
research carried out on offenders
shows individuals are unrepresentative of all offenders
they are individuals who have been caught
when assessing their personality type
can’t be sure that ‘successful criminals’ have the personality traits- may not apply to all types of offenders
what is the final limitation of eysenck’s personality theory?
(kinda maths related (graphs))
correlation
why in eysenck’s personality theory is correlation a limitation?
while it does show a correlation between personality type and criminality
it DOESN’T prove that personality type causes criminality.
it could be the other way round- in prison it could cause neuroticy
