Personality Theory

• Who was Hans Eysenck?

  A psychologist studying criminal behavior
• What does Eysenck's personality theory combine?

  Biological tendencies and environmental issues
• How is Eysenck's theory described in terms of reductionism?

  It is holistic and not reductionist
• What are the two initial dimensions proposed by Eysenck in 1947?

  Introversion/Extraversion and Neuroticism/Stability
• What third dimension did Eysenck later add to his theory?

  Psychotism
• What is the purpose of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire?

  To assess an individual's personality
• What characterizes extroverts according to Eysenck?

  They have an under-active nervous system
• Why do extroverts seek excitement and stimulation?

  To increase their brain arousal
• How do extroverts typically respond to risk-taking behaviors?

  They engage in risk-taking without much thought
• How do introverts differ from extroverts in terms of arousal?

  Introverts are innately over-aroused
• What determines neuroticism according to Eysenck?

  The stability of the sympathetic nervous system
• How do neurotic individuals typically react in threatening situations?

  They respond with fight or flight reactions
• What behaviors characterize neurotic individuals?

  Nervous, jumpy, upset quickly, over-anxious
• How does a stable personality differ from a neurotic one?

  Stable individuals have a more unreactive nervous system
• What was the sample size of Eysenck's comparison study of prisoners and controls?

  2070 male prisoners and 2422 male controls
• What was the result of Eysenck's study comparing prisoners and controls?

  Prisoners scored higher than the control group
• What are the characteristics of extroverts, neurotics, and individuals with psychotism according to Eysenck?

  • Extroverts:
  • Under-active nervous system
  • Seek adrenaline rush
  • Engage in risk-taking behaviors
  • Neurotics:
  • Unstable and unpredictable
  • Nervous and jumpy
  • Quick to get upset
  • Psychotism:
  • More aggressive
  • Lack of empathy