Eysenck's Theory

Question 1

What is Eysenck’s theory of criminality:

Answer 1

Behvaiour represented along two dimentions

Extroversion (outgoing, may get bored easily)

Neuroticisim (unstable emotions)

Later added: Psychoticism (lack of empathy)

These dimensions combine = form vareity of personality characteristics/traits

Question 2

How are these personality traits measured?

Answer 2

Using EPQ

Used to conduct research relating personality variables to other behvaiours.

Traits = normally distributed

Most = moderate scores
Few = extreme scores

Question 3

What sort of basis do personality traits have?

Answer 3

Biological in origin.
Inherited through nervous system

Extroverts = under-aroused nervous system –> constantly seeking excitement –> engage in risk-taking behvaiours.

Neurotic: over-active response to treat. –> anxious, touchy + unstable personality.

Psychotics: high level of testosterone –> aggressive
+ antisocial.

Question 4

How can each type of personality lead to crime?

Answer 4

Extraversion = breaking adn entering/trespassing/joyriding

Neuroticism = Brutality/murder/violence

Psychotism = gang-affiliated crimes.

Question 5

Is there an environmental basis to personality types?

Answer 5

Criminal behaviour concerned with immediate gratification.

Children taught delayed gratification + self control via socialisation.

High E + N = harder to condition

Less likely to learn from previous punishment.

.: more likely to behave antisocially.

Question 6

Research support:

Answer 6

Eysenck + Eysenck (1977) compated 2017 male prisoner socres on EPQ with 2422 male cotrols

Across all age groups: prisoners recorded higher average scores in terms of E, N + P than controls.

Agrees with prediction that offender rate higher than average across 3 dimensions identified by theory.

Question 7

COUNTERPOINT.

Answer 7

Meta-analysis of relevant studies conducted by Harrington et al (1982) reported offenders tended to score high on measures of P but not E + N

EEgs provided inconsistent evidence of differences between extroverts + introverts –> casts doubts on physiological basis of dimensions identified by theory

Central assumptions of theory = challenged.

Question 8

Too simplistic?

Answer 8

Idea behaviour explained by single personality type = too simple

Moffitt (1993): proposed several distinct types of adult male offender based on timing of 1st offence + how long offending persists

Personality traits alone = poor indicatior of how long offending would continue for.

Question 9

Too outdated?

Answer 9

Theory = outdated

Digman (1990) 5 factor model suggests alongside E + N additional dimensions of openness, agreeableness + conscientiousness

Many possible combinations + high E + N do not make offending inevitable

Presents more complex picture of offending –> suggests Eysencks theory both out of step with modern theories + overly simplistic.

Question 10

Issues with culture

Answer 10

Cultural factors not taken to account.

Bartol + Holanchock (1979) studied hispanic + AA offenders

6 groups based on offences + offending history.

All 6 groups scored lower on E then non-offender controls

Due to fact sample culturally different to Eysnecks

Questions how far criminal personality can be generalised + suggests its culturally relative concept.

Question 11

Issues + debates

Answer 11

Interactionist explanation.

Idea criminality = inherited (predisposed to certain personality type) + social causes of crime (inadequate socialisation)