Personality AO1

Question 1

Paragraph 1: intro

Answer 1

personality is an individual differences explanation of criminal behaviour because it considers how each individuals will have different personality traits. The different traits could lead to certain beahviour patterns that could lead an individual to criminal behaviour.

Question 2

Paragraph 1: Personality traits + socialisation = crime What does Eysneck’s theory suggest ?

Answer 2

Eysenck’s theory of criminal personality suggests that criminal behaviour could be explained through a combination of innate personality traits and socialisation. A person can be born with certain personality traits that may predispose them to criminality, but the interaction with the environment is important in the development of criminal behaviour.

Question 3

Paragraph 1: Personality traits + socialisation = crime describe the socialisation aspect

Answer 3

The socialisation element occurs during childhood, where children are taught that bad behaviour is punished (operant conditioning). However, people who score highly on extroversion and neuroticism were less easily conditioned – meaning they aren’t scared of the punishment that follows bad behaviour, and so don’t learn to follow rules.

Question 4

Paragraph 2: 3 personality types - describing the continuum

Answer 4

Eysneck proposed that there are 3 dimensions of personality. These dimensions are Introvert – extrovert, Neuroticism – emotional stability, Psychoticism – self-control.

Answer 6

each personality trait is linked to a biological basis.