eyesenks personality factors Flashcards
what are the basic tenets of the theory
personality is genetic
criminals have particular personalities
criminality has a physiological basis
tries to combine physiological and environmental factors
what are the environmental factors
- child is conditioned
- child learns sense of right and wrong
- child avoids behaviour which leads to punishment
- child controls impulses
- wrongful behaviour is associated and the thought of ir evokes fear
SOME CHILDREN ARE MORE BIOLOGICALLY PREDISPOSED TO THE CONDITIONING PROCESS THAN OTHERS
what does PEN stand for
high psychoticism
high extraversion
high neuroticism
characteristics of a PEN personality
aggressive manipulative tough minded active expressive
characteristics of introverts
enjoy their own company
quiet and reserved
think before they act
characteristics of extroverts
enjoy large gatherings of people
chatty
impulsive
like excitement
what is the percentage of ‘normal’ people and ‘extreme’ cases
68% ambiverts (normal)
16% in extreme
what does eyesenk say
extroverts are under aroused and need more arousal and stimulation
less likely to be affected by negative outcomes of their behaviour
more likely to shrug shoulders at disapproval
what does eyesenk say about stable to neuroticism
16% in extreme
reflects a biological predisposition to respond physiologically to stressful situations and events
to respond emotionally
criminals score highly on this too
what does eyesenk say about psychoticism
no underlying definite biological mechanism but is assumed to be due to testosterone and serotonin
high scores relate to vulnerability to mental illness
what evidence did eyesenk find
prison inmates score higher on psychotisicm and extroversion as well as on neuroticism (EYESENK AND GUDJONSSON)
can explain all crimes as said to be looking for excitement
strengths of eyesenk
one of the most comprehensive theories
recognises the interaction between genetics and the environment
weaknesses of eyesenk
has been criticised for wording of the EPQ as believed that p’s can work out the aim of the questionnaire and will begin to show demand characteristics
extroversion may not lead to criminal behaviour - consider extreme sports, high profile business people - thrill seeking, impulsive etc
prison experience may have brought out personality that wasn’t there before
prison experience may have brought out depression
prisoners may have wanted to seem tough
cant explain why men commit most crimes
