Personality theory Flashcards
Personality theory– cause of criminal behaviour
• Criminal behaviour is caused by an extravert, neurotic and psychotic personality.
Personality theory – description of theory
• Personality is made up of three parts
o Extraversion
o Neuroticism
o Psychoticism
• Each type has a set of traits that makes an individual more or less likely to commit crime
• Extraversion measures the arousal of your central nervous system. The less aroused, the more stimulation the individual seeks and so the higher E score. Whereas introverts already have an active nervous system and so don’t seek stimulation. Extravetrs are active and impulsive.
• Neuroticism measures the reactivity of your central nervous system. The stronger your responses the more extreme your emotional changes (high N score) Whereas a stable personality reacts less to emotional situations. Neurotics are anxious and over emotional.
• Psychoticism measures levels of testosterone. High levels equals a high P score. Psychotics are aggressive, uncaring and cold. Normal personalities have empathy and care for others.
Personality theory– explanation for criminal behaviour
People who score highly on extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism are more likely to be associated with violent crime. This is because:
• Extraverts – seek more therefore engage in dangerous activities (e .g. drug taking)
• Neurotics are unstable – prone to over-react to situations of threat (e.g. domestic violence).
• Psychoticism – individuals are aggressive & lacking empathy (e.g. murder).
