personality

• EYSENCK'S THEORY OF CRIMINAL PERSONALITY

  proposes - c arises from personality traits (biological)

  o.g. suggested - 2 traits linked to cb (extroversion and neuroticism) > high levels of these traits > more likely to become a criminal

  ext - seek stimulation through criminal activity

  neu - over react and get upset too easily
• EXTROVERSION + INTROVERSION

  determined by level of arousal in CNS

  lower a person's arousal > more likely - engage cb
• EXTROVERSION

  • innately under-aroused
  • seek more external stimulation to increase cortical arousal
  • seek/engage in risky cb for stimulation
  • e.g. thrill seeking cb
• INTROVERSION

  • innately over-aroused
  • seeks to avoid stimulation
  • gets stimulated easily
  • cb - overstimulating
• NEUROTICISM - background

  Sympathetic Nervous System - fight / flight

  high levels > more likely to engage in aggressive behaviour

  attracted / threatened
• NEUROTIC - anxious / snappy > cb - fulfils needs

  • slightly unstable
  • higher levels of arousal in SNS
  • higher anxiety levels > reacts strongly / gets upset easily > because NS already physiologically aroused
  • e.g. may respond with socially inappropriate behaviours > aggression / violence

  } stable - ureactive SNS, calm under pressure
• EXTRAVERSION + NEUROTICISM

  Eysenck - those with high levels of these > more likely to be c

  these people > less easily conditioned > don't learn to avoid anti-social behaviour
• PSYCHOTICISM

  high (psychopaths) - lack empathy, aggressive and solitary > more likely to commit c

  linked to high testosterone levels (more aggressive)
• NATURE & NURTURE

  Eysenck - explains criminality in terms of both

  cb - result - interaction between our innate (biologically determined) personality = 67% + socialisation (learning experiences - conditioning) = 33%

  to commit crime > requires right env