Eysneck's theory of criminal personality

• EYSENCK developed a theory of personality which was later applied to offending behaviour
• EYSENCK believed that offending behavior arises from personality traits, which are biological in origin
• according to the personality theory, we inherit a type of nervous system that determines our personality and may predispose us to offending
• EYSENCK stated that individuals vary across two dimensions:

  • introvert-extrovert
  • neurotic-stable
• EYSENCK's Personality Inventory (EPI) is used to assess personality type
• extroverts have a lower cortical arousal, and thus seek stimulation from their environment
• extroverts dont condition easily (dont learn from past experiences)
• those high on neuroticism have an automatic nervous system that responds strongly to stress

  • leading to the individual over-reacting in stressful situations creating unstable, unpredictable behaviour
• EYSENCK later suggested a third personality dimension - psychoticism
• individuals high in the psychoticism trait are uncaring, aggressive, solitary and capable of cruelty, making them more likely to offend
• most people would gain a low measure in the psychoticism dimension
• physiologically, EYSENCK related this trait to higher levels of testosterone