AO1

• Eysenck proposed that behaviour could be reprented along two dimensions: Introversion-extraversion (E) and neuroticism-stability (N)
• the two dimensions combine to form a variety of personality characteristics or traits
• Eysenck later added a third dimension psychoticism-sociability (P)
• according to Eysenck our personality traits are biological in origin and come about through the type of nervous system we inherit
• all personality types including the criminal personality type have an innate biological basis
• extraverts have an underactive nervous system which means they constantly seek excitement, stimulation and are likely to engage in risk taking behaviours
• extraverts tend not to condition easily and therefore do not learn from their mistakes
• Neurotic individuals have a high level of reactivity in the sympathetic nervous system - they respond quickly to situations of threat
• neurotic individuals tend to be nervous, jumpy and overanxious and their general instability means their behaviour is often difficult to predict
• psychotic individuals are suggested to have higher levels of testosterone and are unemotional and prone to agression
• the criminal personality type is neurotic-extravert-psychotic
• neurotics are unstable and therefore prone to overreact to situations of threat
• extraverts seek more arousal and thus engage in dangerous activities
• psychotics are aggressive and lack empathy
• personality is linked to offending behaviour via socialisation processes
• Eysenck saw offending behaviour as developmentally immature in that it is selfish and concerned with immediate gratification
• offenders are impatient and cannot wait for things
• the process of socialisation is one in which children are taught to become more able to delay gratification and more socially orientated