Eysenck developed a theory of criminality based on his theory of personality. He argues that criminality is the result of a particular personality type
For Eysenck, our personality is made up of two dimensions:
Extraversion versus Introversion
Neuroticism versus Emotional Satiability
Extraverted personalities are outgoing, sociable, impulsive, short-tempered and unreliable
Introverted personalities are reserved, thoughtful, serious, self-controlled and reliable
Neurotic personalities are anxious, moody, often depressed and prone to over-reacting- whereas emotionally stable personalities are calm, even-tempered, controlled and unworried
Eysenck devised the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire to measure peoples personality traits. He found that most people have personalities somewhere around the middle on both scales. By contrast, the criminals scored high on both Extraverted and Neurotic. In other words, criminals tend to be strongly extraverted and neurotic.