Eysenck's Theory Of The Criminal Personality Flashcards
What did Eysenck suggest about criminal behaviour?
Criminal behaviour maybe influenced by personality characteristics that are linked to biological differences between people.
What are the three dimensions that can be measured in Eysenck’s theory?
Extraversion-introversion
Neuroticism-stability
Psychoticism
What is extraversion-introversion in Eysencks theory?
Where extroverts are sensation seekers and introverts prefer to avoid sensation
What is neuroticism-stability in Eysenck’s theory?
Where neurotics are those who are emotionally unstable and very reactive
What is psychoticism in Eysenck’s theory?
People high in this scale lack empathy and sensitivity
What did Eysenck believe about the three dimensions is in his theory?
They have a biological basis and that the predisposition to certain traits was inherited
What are the biological basis of extraversion?
The ascending reticular activating system is responsible for the general arousal levels in the nervous system
It is connected to the cerebral cortex
It governs arousal of the brain
What are the biological basis of neuroticism?
The limbic system, which controls our emotional reactions, is easily triggered
Neurotic people will react to emotional stimuli quickly
What are the biological basis of psychoticism?
Hormone levels are implicated
High levels of testosterone are associated with increased aggression
Issues with the metabolism of serotonin means levels are affected
What is the PEN personality?
Eysenck’s proposed that people who were high in psychoticism, extroversion and neuroticism would be more likely to commit crime due to a combination of personality characteristics. For example, the risk taking behaviour of the extrovert, the impulsivity of the neurotic and the lack of guilt of the psychotic.
finish the evaluation: mixed research evidence
There is some support for this theory but the research evidence is mixed. Heaven (1996) found that high psychoticism levels were predictive of offending behaviour. The evidence for high extraversion leading to criminality is inconclusive, with some studies supporting high E and others finding no effect.
finish the evaluation: issues with how offending behaviour is measured and defined
This may affect findings from research, as Farrington (1992) found. Convicted offenders tend to be high in N and low in E, but from self report data of non convicted people the reverse is true. This suggests the theory has limited validity.
finish the evaluation: deterministic
The theory is very deterministic as it suggests that criminal tendencies result from biological differences between people, which then results in a criminal personality. This may give offenders an excuse for failing to take responsibility for the choices they make. It also suggests that such people will continue to offend as they have limited free will.
