F6. Psychological Explanations: Eysenck’s Theory

Question 1

Eysenck’s Theory

Answer 1

• Scales: Stable-Neurotic. Introvert-Extrovert.
• Criminal Personality: Neurotic-Extrovert. Psychoticism added later.
• Criminal behaviour due to NS activity.
• Extroverts have under-active NS always look for new stimulation
• affect extent to which individual is affected by socialisation (taught to communicate, delayed gratification).
• criminals can’t adequately communicate and therefore act accordingly.
• EPI (Eysenck’s Personality Inventory) used to measure personality across 3 dimensions

Question 2

• Eval: Reductionist

Answer 2

Not accurate, not as simple as 3 dimensions, and a final score. Traits may also change depending on who we interact with, and what circumstances.

Question 3

• Eval: Generalisability

Answer 3

• Largely Western Culture Sample.
• Hispanic convicts found to be less extrovert compared to a control group of non-convicts (control)
• suggests Eysenck’s theory is not universal and therefore not generalisable to all cultures.

Question 4

• Eval: Oversimplification

Answer 4

• unlikely that there’s one single criminal personality type.
• Digman’s Five-Factor Model suggests additional dimensions. Includes: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and intellect (openness to experience).