Forensics - Eysenck's Theory of the Criminal (PAPER 3)

Question 1

What is the basic assumption of Eysenck’s theory?

Answer 1

Criminals are decided by their personality type, decided by your type of nervous system

Question 2

How does Eysenck suggest our nervous system decides our personality?

Answer 2

How easily the nervous system responds to stimulus influences behaviour - potentially leading to innate defending

Question 3

What are the three personality dimensions devised by Eysenck?

Answer 3

• Extravert to introvert (E)
• Neurotic to stable (N)
• low to high psychotisism (P)

Question 4

What makes a person neurotic according to Eysenck?

Answer 4

They are easy to upset and often anxious because their nervous system is easily aroused

Question 5

What makes a person psychotic according to Eysenck?

Answer 5

A psychotic person is emotionally cold and does not feel compassion

Question 6

What make a person criminal on Eysenck’s scales?

Answer 6

High extroversion, high neuroticism, high psychotisism

Question 7

Negative evaluations of Eysenck’s theory. (AO3)

Answer 7

• Too simplistic
• Digman’s theory adding conscientiousness and agreeableness makes more sense
• Biological determinism

Question 8

Positive evaluations of Eysenck’s theory. (AO3)

Answer 8

• 100 criminals and 100 trades students did the personality questionnaire and delinquents had high ENP