Psychological explenation

Question 1

Eyesenck’s theory? What are the three types of personalities? Criminals are extraverts, neurotic, psychotic.)

Answer 1

introvert-extrovert (E)
neuroticism-stability (N)
psychoticism-sociability (P)

Question 2

What are extraverts? (E)

Answer 2

underactive NS, engage in risk-taking behaviours, and don’t learn from mistakes.

Question 3

What are neurotic? (N)

Answer 3

High level of reactivity in the sympathetic NC, fight or flight jumpy, nervous.

Question 4

What are psychotics? (P)

Answer 4

High testosterone, unemotional, aggressive.

Question 5

One strength?

Answer 5

Evidence to support criminal perosnality. 2070 prisoners scores on the epq, and prisoners had higher scores than control groups.

Question 6

3 limitations?

Answer 6

Farrington: Did a meta-analysis of relevant studies and focused prisoners scored higher on psychoticism, so Eyesenck’s study is challenged.

Too simplistic for just 3 types. Mofitt looked at changes from adolescence and adulthood because Eysenk doesn’t explain how long their criminals have been.

Cultural bias is not considered. Study was on hispanic and african-american in maximum security prisons in NY. the 6 groups were less extravert than eyesenck thought as samples didn’t vary in culture. So it can’t be generalised.