Psychological Explanations:Eysenck's Theory Flashcards
Who was an important figure in personality and intelligence research?
Eysenck
Eysenck’s work laid the foundation for theories linking personality traits to criminal behavior.
What are the two original dimensions of behavior identified by Eysenck?
Introversion-extraversion (E) and neuroticism-stability (N)
These dimensions combine to form a variety of personality traits.
What third dimension was later added to Eysenck’s theory?
Psychoticism-sociability (P)
This dimension further expands the understanding of personality traits.
According to Eysenck, what is the origin of our personality traits?
Biological
Personality traits are believed to show through the type of nervous system inherited.
What characterizes an extravert according to Eysenck’s theory?
Underactive nervous system, seeks excitement, engages in risk-taking
Extraverts are less likely condition and learn from mistakes.
What are the traits of a neurotic individual?
High reactivity, quick fight or flight response, nervous, jumpy, over anxious
Neurotic individuals are difficult to predict.
What characteristics define a psychotic individual?
Higher testosterone levels, unemotional, prone to aggression
Psychotic traits can lead to antisocial behavior.
What is the criminal personality according to Eysenck?
Neurotic-Extravert-Psychotic
This combination results in instability and overreactions (N), risk-seeking behavior (E), and aggression (P).
How does Eysenck’s theory link personality to offending behavior?
Through socialization processes
Offending is seen as developmentally immature and selfish
- primarily concerned with immediate gratification
What is a key behavioral trait of offenders according to Eysenck?
Impatience
Offenders often cannot wait for gratification.
Socialisation is supposed to teach children how to wait and be more socialable
What are the traits of people with high E and N score according to Eysenck?
Less likely to feel guilt/anxiety about owning antisocial impulses
- More likely to act antisocially when given opportunity
Commonly have nervous systems that are difficultg to condition
What is the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)?
A psychological test measuring E, N, and P dimensions
It helps determine an individual’s personality type.
- allowed Eysenck to conduct research relating these variables to criminality
What did Eysenck’s research find regarding prisoner EPQ scores?
Prisoners scored higher on E, N, and P than control samples
This finding was consistent across all age groups.
What is a strength of eysenck’s theory?
Evidence supports the theory
- Eysenck and Eysenck compared 2070 prisoners EPQ scores to 2422 control samples
- Across all three (ENP) prisoner scores were higher
- Across all age groups
- Offenders rate higher than average
What is the limitations of eysenck’s theory?
Doubts casted on the physiological basis on eysenck’s theory
Farrington et al conducted a meta-analysis of relevant studies
Found that offenders tended to score high on P but not for E or N
- Inconsistent evidence from EEG measures (measures cortical arousal) between introverts and extraverts
What limitation did Moffitt identify regarding personality and criminality?
It’s too simplistic; personality can’t explain criminality alone
- Persistent offending is influenced by both personality traits and environmental reactions.
- Personality is too complex and dynamic to reduce to a score
What did Moffitt identify for the limitation of eysenck’s theory?
Made a distinction between adolescent crime and crime that continues into adulthood
- personality traits alone are a poor predictor of how long offending behaviour will last
Who studied hispanic and african american offenders?
Barols and Holanchok
What limitation was identified by Barol and Holanchok?
Doesnt account for cultural factors
- Criminal personality may vary in culture
- These offenders were divided into 6 groups based on offending history and nature of offense
- All 6 were less extraverted than average
link to cultural bias
Barol and Holanchok argued that this was due to culture
