Eysenck’s theory - psychological explanations

• What is the theory of personality

  • Character traits tend to cluster along three dimensions
  • each dimension is normally distributed
• Define biological basis

  each trait has a biological basis which is innate
• What are the three dimensions

  • Extraversion
  • neuroticism
  • psychoticism
• Explain link to criminal behaviour

  • Criminality is explained as an outcome between an innate personality and socialisation
  • a personality is made up of innate traits and interaction with the environment
• What is the theory of personality for extra version

  • Outgoing
  • may get bored easily
  • have positive emotions
• What is the biological basis of extraversion

  Determined by the overall levels of arousal in a persons nervous system
• What is the theory of personality for neuroticism

  They tend to experience negative emotional states rather than positive ones
• What is the biological basis for neuroticism

  • Determined by the level of stability in a persons sympathetic nervous system
  • a neurotic person is unstable and reacts/gets upset easily
• What is the theory of personality for psychoticism

  • Egocentric
  • impulsive
  • aggressive
  • lack empathy
• What is the biological basis for psychoticism

  This is related to higher levels of testosterone