Personality: crime and anti-social behaviour

Question 1

Define Personality ?

Answer 1

the combination of qualities or traits that are thought to form the distinctive character of a person.

Question 2

what did Eysenck propose ?

Answer 2

that everyone’s character is made up of a collection of stable features that direct behaviour in different situations, their personality

Question 3

what two dimensions did Eysenck believe measured people’s personality ?

Answer 3

1. extraversion/ introversion

2. Neuroticism

Question 4

what is the Extraversion - Introverson dimension ?

Answer 4

• extraverts crave excitement and stimulation - because of this, they are prone to engage in dangerous, risk-taking behaviour.
• introverts are able to find stimulation easily (in one’s own company) and find the same exciting tasks overstimulating and uncomfortable

Question 5

what is a common trait with extraverts ?

Answer 5

they tend to not condition easily and so do not learn from mistakes very well

Question 6

what is the neuroticism - stability dimension ?

Answer 6

-neurotic individuals are nervy and anxious

Question 7

what is a common trait of neurotics ?

Answer 7

their general instability means that they are difficult to predict

Question 8

what does Eysenck believe is the typical criminal personality ?

Answer 8

an extravert - neurotic

Question 9

how does the biological basis work ?

Answer 9

• Eysenck’s theory is based on personality which is biological in nature
• personality traits we develop are explained by the type of nervous system we inherit

Question 10

what is supposedly caused by an underactive nervous system ?

Answer 10

the constant need for excitement that extraverts experience

Question 11

what does an underactive nervous system require ?

Answer 11

high levels of arousal

Question 12

what do people who score highly on neuroticism scales act like (in terms with the biological basis) ?

Answer 12

they act in a volatile way and react strongly to situations that others would find less stressful or even neutral

Question 13

what is the third dimension ?

Answer 13

psychoticism

Question 14

what does it mean if a person acts in a psychotic way ?

Answer 14

they are self-centred, cold and lack empathy for other people

Question 15

what is the criminal type characterised by ?

Answer 15

a person who scores highly on all three dimensions

Question 16

what did Eysenck develop (test) ?

Answer 16

The Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI)

Question 17

what is the Eysenck personality inventory ?

Answer 17

a questionnaire which places respondents along E,N,P dimensions to determine personality types

Question 18

what is the socialisation process ?

Answer 18

• despite biological emphasis, Eysenck did acknowledge that, in most people, the socialisation process in childhood will determine whether a person becomes a law-abiding citizen or not

Question 19

what is the problem with extraverts, in terms of the socialisation process ?

Answer 19

extraverts tend to respond poorly to operant conditioning because they are natural reward seekers and less receptive and affected by punishment for wrongdoings.

Question 20

what is the problem with neurotics, in terms of the socialisation process ?

Answer 20

high neuroticism interferes with efficient learning which may relate to a difficulty taking on board social rules.

Question 21

what does the socialisation process dictate ?

Answer 21

extraverts and neurotics are more likely to behave anti-socially.