10.4: Psychological explanations for offending behaviour

Question 1

Outline one personality characteristic thought by Eysenck to be implicated in explaining offender behaviour (4 marks)

Answer 1

Eysenck saw extraversion as a personality characteristic that is linked to offender behaviour.
High extraverts are sensation-seekers and so the thrill of committing criminal acts might draw such individuals to actually commit them.
High levels of extraversion may reduce the usual constraints on committing criminal acts, due to their attractiveness as sources of thrill-seeking