Eysenck Personality Theory

• What did Eysenck believe?

  He believed that:

  1. Our personality was measurable.
  2. Certain personality types are more likely to commit crime.
  3. Two main dimensions to personality; extraversion, neuroticism (used questionnaires).
• What are Extroverts? What are Introverts?

  Extroverts - They are sociable, lively people always looking for new sensations.

  Introverts - Quiet, reversed, distant.
• What is neuroticism? What is stability?

  Neuroticism - Instability. Suffer from mood disorders.

  Stability - Calm, emotionally in control.
• What is Psychoticism?

  Eysenck introduced it later. Relates to degree of which someone who is more likely to engage in criminal behaviour. Cold, impersonal, anti-social, aggressive.
• Extraversion relating to criminality.

  High levels of extraversion = low levels of arousal which means extroverts require more environmental stimulation to fuel excitement + they have boldness and lack of concern which increases chance of criminal behaviour.
• Neuroticism relating to criminality.

  High neuroticism score (low levels of neuroticism) represents someone who is volatile/reactive and someone who is more likely to commit crime + won't look at future consequences and will have no regret or guilt after.
• Psychoticism relating to criminality.

  High degree of psychoticism means they have no empathy or concern about what they have done.
• 2 Limitations of Eysenck's Theory?

  One Limitation - Suggests personality is genetic and won't change over time.

  One Limitation - Lack of reliability, may depend on how the respondent is feeling on the day. Will not show similar replicated results.
• 2 Strengths of Eysenck's Theory?

  One Strength - Rushton found students reported higher levels of delinquency had scored highly on PEN tests.

  One Strength - Tendencies in childhood can be linked to criminal behaviour; therefore intervention to

  prevent such development could occur and

  help to prevent crime.