Individual-diff - personality

• Eysenck‘s theory of personality

  A theory where there are three dimensions related to personality

  • extroversion - sociable, lively and optimistic the opposite of this would be introversion - quite and more reserved
  • neuroticism - high levels of anxiety, irritable and low mood, the opposite of this would be stability - controlled and even tempered
  • Psychoticism - are more impatient, creative and aggressive, the opposite of this would be normality
• eysenck suggested that addiction is developed because it fulfils needs of the individuals personality profile he highlighted the important role in psychoticism and neurotisism
• research has tested the personality of addicts using eysencks personality questionnaire (EPQ) addicts had high P&N and lower E and L scores compared to a control group of non addicts. (Hanson and gosop)
• psychoticism and impulsivity 


  Often addicts are impulsive without thinking about the consequences, for example they may feel as though smoking wont effect them so they take part in it
• de wit et al - a review of other studies 


  found that impulsivity was both a cause and effect of addiction
• Dalley et al 


  Impulsive rats increased cocaine intake than more than low impulsivity rats
• Impulsivity will also make issues when individuals tries to abstain from their addiction - higher chance Of relapse and maintenance of an addiction
• Neuroticism and self medication

  Using an addiction to self medicate their anxiety, worry and stress levels.
• Sinah - reviewed research into stress levels and initiation 


  if an individual is more susceptible to stress they may feel as though they need to partake in the addictive behaviour to overcome their stress.
• Neurotic individuals also suffer from low self-esteem. Research suggests that these individuals partake in self-defeating behaviour (addiction) in order to escape self awareness. Using addiction as a means of avoiding negative feeling and thoughts.