Psychological Explanations: Eysenck’s Theory of Criminal Personality Flashcards
Outline Eysenck’s theory.
1- Behaviour can be represented along 2 dimensions: introversion - extraversion and neuroticism - stability.
- Psychoticism - sociability was later added.
2- Personality types are biological.
- Personality is based on the NS we inherit.
What Eysenck develop to measure personality?
EPQ - Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.
Outline Extraverts and their behaviour.
-Under-active NS.
-Constantly seeking thrill/excitement.
-Likely to engage in risk taking behaviour.
-Hard to condition which means they are less likely to learn from their mistakes.
Outline Neurotics and their behaviour.
-High reactivity in their sympathetic NS - quick reactions.
-Hard to condition.
-Over sensitive fight or fight response.
-Over anxious and unpredictable.
Outline Psychotics and their behaviour.
-High levels of testosterone.
-No anxiety, unemotional.
-Prone to aggression.
What is the role of socialisation when it comes to criminality?
-Children taught to delay gratification.
-Results in the being less selfish.
-Results in them being more socially orientated.
-Children can therefore distinguish between right and wrong making them less likely to commit crime.
What are 2 weaknesses of Eysenck’s theory?
-Relies on the measurement of personality.
EPI is a self report technique which reduces personality to a single score.
Individuals may manipulate their scores.
-Cultural bias.
Bartol and Holanchock: found that Hispanic convicts were intravert compared to non-criminals.
Criminals should have levels of extraversion according to Eysenck.
Theory is not universal.
What is one strength of Eysenck’s theory?
-Research support
Eysenck and Eysenck - found criminals score higher than average across the 3 dimensions compared to non-criminals.
CP:Eysenck himself carried it out which may have led to bias.
