eyesenks theory of the criminal personalisty

Question 1

what is the basic of Eyesenks theory?

Answer 1

he suggested there are identifiable personality traits that have a genetic and biological basis that can be used to explain why people have a tendency to commit crimes.

Question 2

what are the 3 personality dimentions eyesenk identified?

Answer 2

introversion-extraversion
neuroticism to stability
psychoticism-sociability

Question 3

what is the biological basis of extraversion?

Answer 3

extraverts have an underactive nervous system- constantly seek exitment, stimulation. need to commit more stimulating risk taking behaviour and arousal to produce dopamine response- explains why they are more likley to partake in risk taking behaviours that are criminal

Question 4

what is the biological basis of neuroticism?

Answer 4

neurotic individuals have a high reactivity in ther sympathetic branch of the nervous system. they respond quickly to situations of threat so they tend to be nervous, jumpy and overanxious- prone to criminality as they are prone to overreact to situations thy perceive as a threat

Question 5

what is the biological basis of psychoticism

Answer 5

higher levels of teestosterone, unemotional, agressive, lacks empathy

Question 6

what is used to measure the criminal personality?

Answer 6

Eyesenks personality questionare (EPQ)

Question 7

what is the EPQ?

Answer 7

A form of psychological test that locates responders alond the E N P dimentions- E score N score and P score are classified

Question 8

what did eyesenk say the role of socialisation was in criminality?

Answer 8

interaction with the environment is key in the development of criminality.
eyesenk saw the criminal behaviour as developmentally immature as it is selfish and concerned with immidiate gratification. In socialisation children are taught to delay gratification. People with high E and N scores have a nervous system that is difficult to condition