A01: Eysenck's Theory - Psychological Explanations

• Theory of the criminal personality:


  • 3 personality dimensions
  • Innate, biological basis for personality types
  • Criminal personality = neurotic extravert + high psychoticism
  • Offending behaviour is concerned with immediate gratification
  • High E & high N scorers lack ability to learn (be conditioned)
  • Personality can be measured using the EPQ
• 3 personality dimensions:

  Eysenck (1947) proposed that our personality could be represented along 3 dimensions:

  • Introversion - Extraversion (E)
  • Neuroticism - Stability (N)
  • Psychoticism - Sociability (P)

  The dimensions combine to form a variety of personality characteristics or types.

  Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) is a psychological test, which measures extraversion and neuroticism and determines personality type. A later scale was introduced that is used to measure psychoticism.
• Biological basis for personality types: PART 1

  Eysenck suggest personality types are innate & based on nervous system we inherit:

  • EXTROVERSION: Extraverts have chronically underactive/under-aroused nervous system (dopamine & adrenaline): so constantly seek excitement, stimulation & engage in risk-taking & thrill/sensation-seeking behaviour. (tend not to be conditioned easily)
  • INTROVERTS: Overactive nervous system so avoid risk taking behaviour
• Criminal personality:

  Criminal personality type: neurotic-extravert, with high psychoticism.

  The criminal personality type is combination of:

  • Neurotics are unstable & therefore prone to overreact to situations of threat
  • Extraverts seek more arousal & thus engage in dangerous activities
  • Eysenck suggest that typical offender score high on measures of psychoticism (Psychotics have a personality type that is characterised as cold, unemotional, lacking empathy and prone to aggression).

  Neurotic-extravert: combination of all characteristics described for neuroticism & extraversion.
• Offending behaviour is concerned with immediate gratification:

  Eysenck saw offending behaviour as developmentally immature in that it is selfish and concerned with immediate gratification

  • Offenders are impatient & can not wait for things
• Role of socialisation on personality?

  During socialisation kids taught to become more able to delay gratification & more socially orientated

  • Lack ability to learn/be conditioned - Eysenck believe people with high E & N scores had nervous systems that made it difficult for them to lean (be conditioned) - linked with immediate gratification
  • Socialisation: E & N dont condition easily so dont learn to respond to antisocial behaviour by becoming anxious as most do. They less likely learn anxiety responses to antisocial impulses, thus more likely to act antisocially.

  Minds like 3.5 year old
• Personality can be measured using the EPQ:

  The notions that personality can be measured is central to Eysenck's theory & useful in research.

  • He developed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) a psychological test that locates respondents along the E, N & P dimensions to determine their personality type.
• Biological basis for personality types: PART 2

  • NEUROTICISM: Neurotic individuals high level of reactivity in sympathetic nervous system - respond quickly to situations of threat/stimuli (fight/flight). Means have unstable & unpredictable behaviour; be nervous, jumpy & overanxious. Moody & insecure. Most people have high level reactivity in PNS but offenders high in SNS
  • PSYCHOTICISM: Psychotic individuals higher levels of testosterone - they cold, heartless, unemotional, prone to aggression & inability to feel remorse/guilt

  Criminals tend to be extraverted, neurotic and psychotic
• Summary Eysenck's Theory?

  Eys claims personality types explained with high or low combinations of 3 traits:

  E.G, someone who optimistic score high for E but low for N, someone who pessimistic score high for N but low for E. 

  Eys use approach show criminals have ‘PEN’ personality, means someone with high P, high E & high N, more likely commit criminal behaviours vs those with other personality types. 

  People with criminal personality (‘PEN’) more likely engage in risk taking behaviours coz their high levels of E, more likely be impulsive coz their N, lack guilt & empathy due to their P. 
• Where would criminal be on Eysenck's Personality Model?

  ?

  A) ?