Outline (AO1)

• Eysenck's Theory of Criminality Personality:

  • agreed that criminal behaviur had a biological basis
  • However, he was more concerned with how that impacted individuals personality
  • he believed thazt personality traits are biological in origin + develop based on the type of nervous system we inherit
• Extroversion vs Introversion:

  • Criminals are EXTROVERTED

  Extroversion: sociable, assertiveness, and cheerfulness -> seek out novelty + excitement + enjoy being the centre of attention -> energised by spending time with others

  
  

  Introversion: reserved, passive, thoughtful -> most comfortable interacting in small groups + with one-on-one relationshipd + are energised by spending time alone
• Biological Explanation for Extroversion:

  • underactive NS means they constanlty seek excitement, stimulation + risk taking behaviour
  • not easily conditioned so do not learn from their mistakes
• Neurotic vs Stability:

  • Criminals are NEUROTIC

  Neurotic: have difficulty coping with stress -> may focus on negative events -> nervous, jumpy + overanxious -> display unpredictable behaviour

  
  

  Stability: resilient, and less reactive to negative stimuli or events -> appear confident + usually have a good sense of self-esteem -> can manage challenging situations
• How did Eysenck propose neuroticism leads to criminal behaviour:

  • neurotic individuals have a lower threshold for experiencing negative emotions + may turn to criminal activities to cope wiht their emotional distress
  • due to their reactive + volatile nature they are pehaps more likely to engage in offending behaviour
• Psychoticism vs Self-Control:

  • Criminals are PSYCHOTIC

  Psychoticism: characterised by someone who is cold, unemotional, aggressive, manipulative, tough minded, risk-taking, irresponsibility + impulsivity
• Role of Socialisation:

  • Criminal behaviour = developmentally mature
  • due to lack of conditioning, they dont learn via socialistion how to delay gratification, nor do they develop the anxiety that comes with acting anti-socially