Eysenks Personality Theory

Question 1

Biological cause of crime

Answer 1

anti social/criminal behaviour is a consequence of our genetic personality. a certain nervous system causes a predisposition to criminality that can be passed on through genetics. however the environment does play a role as it is shown that it is the interaction between the environment and the individuals genetic predisposition that can lead to criminal behaviour.

Question 2

Psychoticism

Answer 2

hostile, uncaring, lack of empathy. BIOLOGY- less clear on how p is related to the functionality of the nervous system. it has been suggested it could be linked to male hormones such as testosterone but there is little research to suggest this. CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR- can harm, cause distress and break laws while feeling no remorse for actions and so are more likely to do them again.

Question 3

Extravert

Answer 3

outgoing, seek sensation, social BIOLOGY- RAS regulates arousal that inhibits incoming sensations. so the individual will seek external stimulation.to readress the balance and reach their optimum level of arousal. low levels of arousal and so will seek stimulation from the environment. CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR as they seek stimulation, may commit criminal acts to fulfil (risk taking)

Question 4

Neurotic

Answer 4

emotionally unstable, impulsive. BIOLOGY- linked to levels of reactivity of the ANS. a neurotic has a more reactive ANS, specifically the sympathetic brain that is responsible for the fight or flight response. It is quick to ‘turn on’ and release adrenaline and slow to ‘turn off’ CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR- individual will experience drastic mood swings and act on impulse/ not be able to control cb.

Question 5

:( self report data

Answer 5

personality questionnaire so many respond in a socially desirable way if they have a PEN personality as they may defer responsibility of CB. T/F cannot be sure PEN personality links to CB - reducing the validity.

Question 6

:( Farrington et al

Answer 6

reviewed 16 studies on the relationship between p, e, and n measured with criminal convictions. they found that in the majority of cases offenders scored highly on p and n personality but not e. T/F e does not impact CB reducing the validity.

Question 7

:) Eysenck (1977)

Answer 7

compared the Eysenck personality inventory of prisoners with non criminals found that criminals score higher on PEN personality. T/F supporting high PEN as an explanation of CB increasing validity.

Question 8

Boduszek et al (2013)

Answer 8

found that there was higher levels of extraversion among inmates who had high levels of recidivism. T/F showing eysencks theory has validity as he said high levels of extraversion was linked with CB