eysenk's theory Flashcards
what did Eyenenk suggest about offending behaviour - the criminal personality
a feature of Eyensek’s theory of crime,
an individual who scores highly on measures of extroversion, neuroticism and psychotic cannot easily be conditioned, is cold and unfeeling and is likely to engage in offending behaviour
what did Eysenk suggest that behaviour could be represented along
two dimensions
- introversion- extroversion and neuroticism - stability
The two dimensions combine to form a variety of personality characteristics or traits
Eysenl later added a third dimension - psychoticism - sociability
what did Eysekn propose about our personality
he proposed that our personality traits are biological
THEREFORE
all personality types including the criminal personality have an innate biological basis
what is the biological basis for extroverts
extroverts have an underactive nervous system and so they constantly are seeking excitement and stimulation
what is the biological basis for neuroticism
neurotic individuals tend to be nervous, jumpy, and anxious, which means their behaviour is often difficult to predict
This is because they have high levels of reactivity in the sympathetic nervous system. They respond quickly to situations
what is the criminal personality
it is neruotic - extravert
what is the role of socialisation
- personality is linked to criminal behaviour via socialisation process
Eysenck saw criminal behaviour as developmentally immature in that it is selfish with immediate gratification
the process of socialisation is one in which children are taught to become more about delaying gratification and more socially orientated
Eysenck believed that people with high E and N scores had nervous systems that made them har to condition
therefore, as a result, they would not learn easily to respond to antisocial impulses with anxiety
consequently, they would be more likely to act antisocial or cinimal
