Forensic psychology: psychological explanation (eyesnecks theory) Flashcards
what did eyseneck do?
.identified 3 personality variables
.developed the eyseneck personality questionnaire (EPQ)
what did eyseneck believe?
.believed that personality is 67% due to genes
what were the 3 personality variables?
extraversion
.neuroticism
.pyschoticism
how does being an extrovert mean you are more likely to commit crimes?
.extroverts seek new experiences as they have a under-stimulated nervous system
.this means they are more likely to commit crimes (especially impulsive crimes or those that give an offender an adrenaline rush)
how does being a neurotic mean you are more likely to commit a crime?
.neurotics are less emotionally stable and unpredictable as they have more sensitive fight or flight responses
.this means they are more likely commit crimes (especially crimes of passion or provoked violent attacks)
how does being a psychotic mean you are more likely to commit a crime?
.psychotics are aggressive, egocentric and feel less empathy, as they have high levels of testosterone.
.this means they are more likely to commit crimes (especially violent crimes about which they would feel no remorse)
what are some strengths to eyseneck theory of criminal personality?
.research support for link between personality and criminal behaviour -dunlop (2012) found that extraversion and psychoticism were good predictors of delinquency (minor offences)
what are some negatives to eyseneck theory of criminal personality?
.personality may not be consistent -personality changes depending on what situation we are in.
.mischel and peake (1982) -asked people to rate personality of 63 participants in different scenarios and found no correlation in their personality across the scenarios
.personality tests may not be reliable -how can a questionnaire be an accurate representation of personality, they may also reply in a way that gives them a desired outcome
