Psychological Explanations: Eysenck's theory

Question 1

What did Eysenck propose about behaviour?

Answer 1

He proposed that behaviour could be represented along 2 dimensions:
-Introversion-extraversion (E)
-Neuroticism-Stability (N)

Question 2

What do the 2 dimensions combine to form?

Answer 2

A variety of personality characteristics or traits.

Question 3

What did Eysenck later add to his dimensions theory?

Answer 3

He later added a third dimension which is psychoticism-sociability (P).

Question 4

What did Eysenck believe about our personality traits?

Answer 4

That our personality traits are biological in origin and come about through the type of nervous system we inherit.
-> Thus, all personality - including the criminal personality type have an innate, biological basis.

Question 5

What are extraverts?

Answer 5

Have an underactive nervous system which means they constantly seek excitement, stimulation and are likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours.

Question 6

What do extraverts not do?

Answer 6

Condition easily and therefore do not learn from their mistakes.

Question 7

What does neurotic mean?

Answer 7

-Individuals have a high level of reactivity in the sympathetic nervous system and they respond quickly to situations of threat.

Question 8

How do neurotic individuals tend to behave?

Answer 8

-Nervous, jumpy and overanxious.
-Their general instability is often difficult to predict.

Question 9

What does psychotic mean?

Answer 9

Individuals are suggested to have higher levels of testosterone and are unemotional and prone to aggression.

Question 10

What is the criminal personality type?

Answer 10

Neurotic-extravert-psychotic

Question 11

Why do neurotics make up the criminal personality?

Answer 11

Because they are unstable and therefore prone to overreact to situations of threat.

Question 12

Why do extraverts make up the criminal personality?

Answer 12

They seek more arousal and thus engage in dangerous activities.

Question 13

Why do psychotics make up the criminal personality?

Answer 13

Are aggressive and lack empathy.

Question 14

What did Eysenck view offending behaviour as?

Answer 14

Developmentally immature in that it is selfish and concerned with immediate gratification.
(Offenders are impatient and cannot wait for things)

Question 15

What did Eysenck believe about people with high E and N scores?

Answer 15

They had nervous systems that made them difficult to condition.

Question 16

What are the consequences of having high E and N scores?

Answer 16

They are less likely to learn anxiety responses to antisocial impulses and, consequently they would be more likely to act antisocially in situations where the opportunity presented itself.

Question 17

How do you measure the criminal personality?

Answer 17

Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)

Question 18

What was Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire? (EPQ)

Answer 18

A form of psychological test which locates respondents along the E, N and P dimensions to determine their personality type.

Question 19

Why was the EPQ important to Eysenck?

Answer 19

It enabled him to conduct research relating personality variables to other behaviours, such as criminality.