Eysenck's Personality Theory Flashcards
What did Eysenck believe personality characteristics were determined by?
Genetics.
What does EPQ stand for?
Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire.
How many personality characteristics did Eysenck identify?
Three.
What are the three personality characteristics?
- Psychoticism.
- Extraversion.
- Neuroticism.
What can people with high levels of psychoticism (psychotics) easily be linked to?
Criminality.
What are some characteristics psychotics?
Aggressive, impulsive, egocentric, cold, unemotional.
What are some examples of crimes that psychotics might commit?
- Murder.
- Sexual offences.
What do people with high levels of extraversion seek?
Stimulation from their environment due to low levels of arousal.
What are some characteristics of people with high levels of extraversion?
Sociable, impulsive, expressive, sensation-seeking, active.
What are some examples of crimes that people with high levels of extraversion might commit?
- Drug abuse.
What do people with high levels of neuroticism (neurotics) have a high degree of?
Instability.
What are neurotics prone to do in situations of threat?
Over react; this can explain criminal activity in an emotionally charged situation.
What are some characteristics of neurotics?
Nervous, anxious, obsessive, depressed, emotionally sensitive.
What did an individual have to score in the EPQ to have a ‘criminal personality’.
High scores in all three of the characteristics.
How did Eysenck view criminal behaviour?
As developmentally immature because it is selfish and concerned with immediate gratification,
