Psychological Explanations: Eysenck's theory Flashcards

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1
Q

What did Eysenck propose about behaviour?

A

He proposed that behaviour could be represented along 2 dimensions:
-Introversion-extraversion (E)
-Neuroticism-Stability (N)

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2
Q

What do the 2 dimensions combine to form?

A

A variety of personality characteristics or traits.

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3
Q

What did Eysenck later add to his dimensions theory?

A

He later added a third dimension which is psychoticism-sociability (P).

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4
Q

What did Eysenck believe about our personality traits?

A

That our personality traits are biological in origin and come about through the type of nervous system we inherit.
-> Thus, all personality - including the criminal personality type have an innate, biological basis.

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5
Q

What are extraverts?

A

Have an underactive nervous system which means they constantly seek excitement, stimulation and are likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours.

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6
Q

What do extraverts not do?

A

Condition easily and therefore do not learn from their mistakes.

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7
Q

What does neurotic mean?

A

-Individuals have a high level of reactivity in the sympathetic nervous system and they respond quickly to situations of threat.

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8
Q

How do neurotic individuals tend to behave?

A

-Nervous, jumpy and overanxious.
-Their general instability is often difficult to predict.

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9
Q

What does psychotic mean?

A

Individuals are suggested to have higher levels of testosterone and are unemotional and prone to aggression.

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10
Q

What is the criminal personality type?

A

Neurotic-extravert-psychotic

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11
Q

Why do neurotics make up the criminal personality?

A

Because they are unstable and therefore prone to overreact to situations of threat.

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12
Q

Why do extraverts make up the criminal personality?

A

They seek more arousal and thus engage in dangerous activities.

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13
Q

Why do psychotics make up the criminal personality?

A

Are aggressive and lack empathy.

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14
Q

What did Eysenck view offending behaviour as?

A

Developmentally immature in that it is selfish and concerned with immediate gratification.
(Offenders are impatient and cannot wait for things)

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15
Q

What did Eysenck believe about people with high E and N scores?

A

They had nervous systems that made them difficult to condition.

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16
Q

What are the consequences of having high E and N scores?

A

They are less likely to learn anxiety responses to antisocial impulses and, consequently they would be more likely to act antisocially in situations where the opportunity presented itself.

17
Q

How do you measure the criminal personality?

A

Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)

18
Q

What was Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire? (EPQ)

A

A form of psychological test which locates respondents along the E, N and P dimensions to determine their personality type.

19
Q

Why was the EPQ important to Eysenck?

A

It enabled him to conduct research relating personality variables to other behaviours, such as criminality.