Eysenck’s theory

• What is Eysenck’s general personality theory?

  He proposed that criminal behaviour is biologically based. Individuals inherit a nervous systems which affects their ability to learn and adapt to their environment. He proposed that criminal behaviour could be represented on 2 dimensions = extraversion and neuroticism. He later added a 3rd dimension = psychoticism. He proposed that people would score highly on these three dimensions if they had a criminal personality.
• measuring the criminal personality

  he developed Eysenck’s personality inventory, which is a psychological test that measures the criminal personality, based on characteristics of the three dimensions. Psychoticism = aggressive, egocentric and manipulative. Extraversion = sociable, impulsive and irresponsible. Neuroticism = anxious, low self-esteem and depressed.
• biological basis

  Eysenck proposed that personality types are innate and based on biological factors that we inherit.
• the criminal personality

  people with high PEN scores will run a higher risk of offending, as it is difficult for them to learn to control their immature impulses.
• the role of socialisation

  personality is linked to criminal behaviour via the socialisation process, where children are taught to become more able to delay gratification. Eysenck saw criminal behaviour as developmentally immature as they are concerned with immediate gratification. people with high PEN scores had nervous systems that made them difficult to condition, as they are more likely to behave antisocially.
• what is a negative of this theory?

  cultural bias. Bartol et al looked at cultural differences by studying Hispanic and African-American offenders. they were divided into 6 groups based off criminal history and the nature of their offence. all 6 groups were less extrovert than a non-criminal control group. this sample was a very different cultural group that investigated by Eysenck. This questions the generalisability of the criminal personality as cultural factors are not taken into account.