Eysenck's theory

• Who proposed that criminals possess distinct personality characteristics?

  Eysenck
• What is the biological basis of the personality characteristics proposed by Eysenck?

  Differences in the nervous system between criminals and non-criminals
• What are the three qualities that make up a criminal personality according to Eysenck?

  • Extraversion
  • Neuroticism
  • Psychoticism
• How does an underactive nervous system influence criminal behavior according to Eysenck?


  It drives criminals to seek greater excitement and stimulation
• Why are criminals not able to be conditioned in the same way as non-criminals?

  They are not easily put off by negative experiences
• How do criminals respond to anti-social impulses compared to non-criminals?

  Criminals do not respond with anxiety, finding such experiences exciting
• What does Eysenck suggest about the stability of criminal behavior?

  Criminals' behavior is more unstable and difficult to predict
• What personality trait do criminals score highly on according to Eysenck?

  Psychoticism
• What was the sample size of Eysenck and Eysenck's study on male prisoners?

  2070 male prisoners
• How did the scores of prisoners compare to the control group in Eysenck's study?

  Prisoners recorded higher scores on measures of Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism
• What does the presence of a control group in Eysenck's study indicate?

  It shows effort made for scientific rigor and improves the validity of results
• What did Farrington et al. find regarding offenders' scores on personality measures?

  Offenders tended to score high on Psychoticism but not for Extraversion and Neuroticism
• What does the lack of consistent differences in EEG measures suggest about Eysenck's theory?

  It casts doubt on the biological basis of Eysenck's theory
• What should EEG data show if a faulty nervous system causes extraversion?

  Very different EEG data compared to introverts
• How might Eysenck's theory assist in crime prevention strategies?

  • Identifying traits linked to criminal behavior in childhood
  • Modifying socialization experiences of high-risk individuals
  • Interventions based on parenting or early treatment for delinquency
• What differences in personality scores have psychologists found among inmates of different ethnic backgrounds?

  Black and Hispanic inmates were more likely to have introvert personalities compared to white inmates
• What does the finding of different personality scores among ethnic groups question about Eysenck's theory?

  It questions the universality or nomothetic application of Eysenck's theory
• What is a limitation of the evidence supporting Eysenck's theory?

  All evidence relies on self-report measures of personality
• What is a potential issue with the EPI as a self-report measure?

  It can be subject to social desirability bias
• How does the mood of an individual affect the EPI results?

  Responses may vary due to the mood of the individual
• What are the implications of social desirability bias on the research supporting Eysenck's theory?

  It lowers both the validity and reliability of the research