Eysenck - Biologically-based Factor Theory

Question 1

What type of approach did Eysenck use to extract three bipolar factors?

Answer 1

Hypothetico-deductive – formulating a hypothesis in a falsifiable format, then using a test on observable data where the outcome is not yet known.

Question 2

What are the three dimensions (bipolar factors) identified by Eysenck

Answer 2

Extraversion/introversion, neuroticism/stability, psychoticism/superego

Question 3

Eysenck: Describe extraverts

Answer 3

Sociable and impulsive

Question 4

Eysenck: Describe introverts

Answer 4

Passive and thoughtful

Question 5

Eysenck: High scores on neuroticism may indicate what?

Answer 5

Anxiety, hysteria, obsessive/compulsive disorders, criminality

Question 6

Eysenck: Low scores on neuroticism may indicate what?

Answer 6

Emotional stability

Question 7

Eysenck: High scores on psychoticism indicate what?

Answer 7

Hostility, self-centeredness, suspicion, nonconformity, and antisocial behavior

Holy Sh-t, Someone’s Not Agreeable

Question 8

Eysenck: What do low scores on psychoticism indicate?

Answer 8

A strong superego, empathy, and cooperation.

Question 9

Eysenck: The three main dimensions of personality are biologically based, as evidenced from ____, behavioral genetics and brain research.

Answer 9

Temperament

Question 10

Eysenck: The three main dimensions of personality are biologically based, as evidenced from temperament, ____ ____ and brain research.

Answer 10

Behavioral genetics

Question 11

Eysenck: The three main dimensions of personality are biologically based, as evidenced from temperament, behavioral genetics and ____ ____.

Answer 11

Brain research

Question 12

Eysenck insisted that, to be useful, personality must do what?

Answer 12

Predict behavior

Question 13

Summarize Eyesenck’s Biologically Based Factor Theory

Answer 13

• Unlike McCrae & Costa, he based his taxonomy on factor analysis & biology.
• Used hypothetico-deductive approach (falsify a hypothesis) to ID 3 bipolar factors: extraversion/introversion, neuroticism/stability, psychoticism/superego.
• High on neuroticism indicates anxiety, hysteria, OCD. Low = emotional stability
• High on psychoticism - hostility, self-centeredness, suspicion. Low – strong superego, empathy, cooperation.

Question 14

Eysenck believed that introverts are characterized by
Select one:
a. lower levels of cortical arousal.
b. higher levels of cortical arousal.
c. low sensory threshold.
d. higher levels of cortical arousal and low sensory threshold.

Answer 14

b. higher levels of cortical arousal.

Question 15

Discuss Eysenck’s view on the relationship between biology and personality.

Answer 15

Personalities have biological and psychological influences. Genetic differences lead to central nervous system changes, which affect the three factors of personality.

The factors were identified with criteria which includes biology.