Psychological Theory- Eysenck

Question 1

What’s Eysencks idea

Answer 1

Criminality is the result result of a highly neurotic and highly extroverted personality type

Question 2

What is the link to crime : extraverts

Answer 2

Have a nervous system with a high need for stimulation so constantly seek excitement through rule breaking and impulsive behaviour

Opposite is introvert which is a self controlled personality

Question 3

What is the link to crime: neurotic

Answer 3

Are harder to condition into following society’s rules because high anxiety levels prevent them from learning from punishment

Anxious, moody, depressed, prone to over reacting

Opposite is emotionally stable which is being calm, even- tempered and controlled

Question 4

Link to crime: psychotics

Answer 4

People with high p score tend to be misfits who are more likely to be criminal and may have serious mental illness e.g schizophrenia

Question 5

Strengths

Answer 5

1. Describes who some measurable tendencies may lead to criminality
2. Studies suggest that offenders to tend towards high E, P and N scores

Question 6

Weaknesses

Answer 6

1. Farrington study shows that prisoners are not often extroverted