Eysenck theory of criminal personality

Question 1

criminal personality

Answer 1

neurotic-extravert
also score high in psychoticism
cold unemotional and prone to aggression

Question 2

role of socialisation?

Answer 2

Process of socialisation should see children taught to delay gratification
- He believed those scoring high on E and N had nervous systems which made them difficult to condition

Question 3

How can Eysenck’s theory relate to a biological explanation?

Answer 3

Theory views criminal behaviour due to activity of nervous system, which is attributed to specific personalities
E.g. extraverts = under-active nervous system so looking for stimulation May explain impulsive nature

Question 4

How do those w/ neurotic-extravert personalities perceive antisocial behaviour

Answer 4

unable to perceive antisocial behaviour as negative/undesirable, so they act accordingly

Question 5

extraversion

Answer 5

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

Question 6

neuroticism

Answer 6

The limbic system, which controls our emotional reactions, is easily triggered

Neurotic people will react to emotional stimuli quickly

Question 7

psychoticism

Answer 7

Hormone levels are implicated

High levels of testosterone are associated with increased aggression

Issues with the metabolism of serotonin means levels are affected

Question 8

PEN personality

Answer 8

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