Individual Differences Explanation 1: Personality Flashcards
What is the main principle of Hans Eysenck’s theory?
That there are three dimensions related to personality;
•extraversion/introversion
•neuroticism/stability
•psychoticism/normality
What does extroversion/introversion mean?
Extroverts are sociable, lively and optimistic while introverts are more reserved and quiet.
What does neuroticism/stability mean?
Individuals high in neuroticism have high level of anxiety and can be moody and irritable. Those high in stability are more controlled and even tempered.
What does psychoticism/normality mean?
Those high on psychoticism scale are impulsive, impatient, aggressive and creative.
Michael Gossop and Hans Eysneck (1980)
Researched over 200 drug addicts, and found that addicts had high Psychoticism and Neuroticism scores but lower Extraversion scores on the EPQ when compared with a control group.
What is the EPQ?
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. A measure of the three dimensions.
How do the traits on those high in psychoticism link to addiction?
Impulsivity. Often addicts act impulsively without thinking through the consequences. For example, smoking won’t effect them now, so it will do them no harm to indulge.
Dalley et al. (2007)
Found that impulsive rats increased cocaine intake more than low impulsivity rats.
Laura stevens et al. (2014)
Found that impulsive individuals were less successful in treatment programmes as they were more likely to drop out and less likely to achieve and maintain abstinence.
How do the traits of those with high neuroticism link to addiction?
Using addiction as a means of self-medication to deal with stress and worry they are experiencing.
Rajita Sinha (2001)
Reviewed research into this area and highlighted the role that stress plays in the initiation of an addiction, but also in the risk of relapse. If an individual is more susceptible to stress they may feel they need the addictive behaviour to overcome it.
What is another characteristic of neurotic individuals that links to addiction?
Low self esteem
De Wit, 2009
Did a review of studies and found that impulsiveness was both a cause and effect of drug abuse.
Roy Baumeister (1997)
Suggests that low self esteem may lead people to act in a manner that is self-defeating in order to escape self-awareness. Using addiction as a way of avoiding their negative feelings about themselves.
