unit 2 individualistic theories of criminality - eysenck's personality theory Flashcards
what is eysenck’s key idea?
criminality is the result of highly neurotic and highly extroverted personality type
what are the personality dimensions?
extraversion v introversions (E). neuroticism v emotional stability (N) and later psychoticism (P)
link to crime; extroverts
have a nervous system with a high need for stimulation so constantly seek excitement through rule-breaking and impulsive behaviour
link to crime; neurotics
are harder to condition into following society’s rules because high anxiety levels prevent them from learning from punishment.
link to crime; psychotics
people with a high p score tend to be solitary misfits who are more likely to be criminal and may have serious mental illness e.g schizophrenia
what are two strengths?
describes how some measurable tendencies may lead to criminality, studies suggest that offenders to tend towards high E, P and N scores
what is farringtons limitation?
studies show that prisoners are not often extroverted
what are 4 limitations?
e measures two separate things - impulsiveness and sociability which doesn’t always correspond, personality type and criminality are correlated but this doesn’t prove personality types cause criminality, convicted offenders may not be typical of offenders on the whole, eysenck used self report questionnaires - people may lie making the results invalid
what is extraversion?
outgoing, sociable, excitement seeking, impulsive and aggressive personality
what is an introvert?
reserved, inward-looking, serious, pessimistic, self-controlled personality
what is neurotic?
anxious, moody, depressed, prone to over watching
what is emotionally stable?
calm, even-tempered, controlled, unworried
what is psychoticism?
having a personality that is cruel, insensitive, aggressive and lacking in empathy
