Eysenck's Theory (Psych Explanations)

Question 1

What is Eysenck’s Theory called?

Answer 1

• The Theory of the criminal personality

Question 2

What is Personality Theory?

Answer 2

• Proposed that behaviour could be represented along two dimensions: introversion-Extraversion and neuroticism-stability
• Dimensions combine to form a variety of personality traits
• He later added a third dimension: psychoticism-sociability

Question 3

What is the Biological Basis of the criminal personality?

Answer 3

• Personality traits are biological in origin:
• Extraverts: under active nervous system and so seek stimulation (take risks). Also not easily conditioned (behaviourism)
• Neurotic: hyper activity in the sympathetic nervous system and so are nervous and unstable so behaviour is unpredictable
• Psychotic: Higher levels of testosterone, unemotional and prone to aggression

Question 4

What is the criminal personality?

Answer 4

• Neurotic-extrovert-psychotic
• This is because neurotic are unstable, extraverts take risks and psychotics are aggressive and lack empathy

Question 5

What is the role of Socialisation?

Answer 5

• Eysenck believed personality is linked to offending behaviour through socialisation
• Offending behaviour classed as ‘immature’ as it is selfish and concerned with immediate gratification
• Socialisation is where children are taught to become able to delay gratification and are socially orientated
• Eysenck believed those with high E and N scores were difficult to condition
• therefore less likely to learn anxiety responses to antisocial impulses

Question 6

How to Measure the criminal personality?

Answer 6

• he developed the Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) which locates respondents along the E N and P dimensions to determine personality type
• Measurement of personality was essential to Eysenck’s theory as it allowed him to conduct research relating personality variables to criminality