Forensic Psychology - Eysencks Theory Evaluation

Question 1

What is a strength of eysencks theory (supporting evidence)

Answer 1

Research evidence
Eysenck 1997 -> compared 2070 male prisoners scores on EPI to 2422 controls
On measures of psychoticism, extraversion and neuroticism -> prisoners recorded higher score than controls

However other research shows little evidence of consistent differences in EEG measures
Between extraverts + introverts

Inconsistent evidence for eysencks theory

Question 2

What is a limitation of eysencks theory (cultural bias)

Answer 2

Research evidence -> eysencks theory suffered from cultural bias

Bartol and Holanchok 1979 found that hispanic and African American offenders in max security prison -> less extravert than non criminal group

Contradicts eysencks theory that a criminal personality type consisted of an neurotic extravert individual

Eysencks theory also lacks generalisability to other cultural groups

Question 3

What is another limitation of eysencks theory (mis measurement of personality)

Answer 3

Eysencks theory - built on idea that personality can be measured using psychological test.

Personality - cannot be reduced to a score
Personality changes depending who we are with and situation we are in - not a stable entity
(Mischel 1998)

As a result personality may not be valid way of explaining criminal behaviour like Eysenck suggests

Question 4

What is another limitation of eysencks theory ( wrong comparisons)

Answer 4

Researchers - make heavy use of comparison between convicted offenders + general population.
Research excludes those who commit crimes and are not caught and convicted.

Many studies -> only tell us about the personality characteristics of ‘unsuccessful’ offenders

Reduces validity of eysencks theory as a way of explaining criminal behaviour as a whole.