INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES: Eysencks Criminal Personality Flashcards
What did eyesenck proposed about personality?
That is can be described in terms of 3 dimensions and these dimensions have genetic basis’.
What are the 3 dimensions of the personality
- Extraversion
- Nuerotcism
- Psychoticism
What are characteristics of someone who is extroverted?
- Outgoing
- Sociable
- Thrill seeking
What is the roe of the nervous system in determining extroversion?
A person who extroverted inherit an underaroused reticular activation system, whereas an introvert inherits an overaroused reticular reticular system
Why is an extrovert more likely to engage in criminal behaviour?
They enjoy the thrill and risk they feel when they commit crime, provides stimulation to the nervous system
Why are extroverts harder to fear condition?
We learn through operant conditioning, acts that are punished are more likely to not be repeated. Extroverts are harder to condition as they don’t learn social cues and norms easily and do not respond well to punishment. This increases the likelihood of criminality
What are characteristics of someone who is neurotic?
- Emotionally Unstable
- Prone to over-reacting
- Anxious
What determines the level of Nuerotcism in a person?
By the reactivity of a person sympathetic nervous system
Why may Nueroticism link to criminal behaviour?
High levels of Nuerotcism will be more unstable & prone to over reacting, they may get upset and agresssive quicker a they may perceive something wrong and act upon impulse in the heat of the anger
What are characteristics of psychoticism?
- Lack of empathy
- being manipulated
- egocentric
- Aggressive
What has Psychoticism been linked with
High levels of testosterone
How does psychoticism link to men and women?
Men typically have high levels of testosterone than women, meaning men are more likely to score higher in this trait
Why might psychoticism link to criminal behaviour?
They lack empathy empathy & act more on impluse which means they do not register others feelings, so they continue to act aggressively which can lead to violent crimes
What is the method of modification?
Children if show signs of personality that is related to crime they can be put in early intervention or the parents can be given parenting intervention and may be great practical benefit in reducing criminal behvaiour
