Psychological theories of crime: Eysenck Flashcards

1
Q

Biological: Functioning of the nervous system- Some individuals inherit a nervous system that require high levels of stimulation

A
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2
Q

Psychological: Stable psychological traits- People’s personalities can be reduced to just two dimensions.

A
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3
Q

Social: Responses to socialisation (conditioning)- People with high anxiety are difficult to condition into society’s rules

A
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4
Q

What two dimensions does Eysenck’s Personality Theory suggest people’s personality varies along?

A
  • Extraversion (E)– how much stimulation they need
  • Neuroticism (N) – how emotionally unstable they are
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5
Q

Name the 4 ways these traits are normally distributed.

A

1) High N
2) High E
3) Low N
4) Low E

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6
Q

What type is high N and high E? What qualities come with this?

A

Choleric type (unstable extroverts): qualities include being touchy, excitable, restless, changeable, irresponsible, impulsive, aggressive.

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7
Q

What type is high N and low E? What qualities come with this?

A

Melancholic type (unstable introverts): qualities such as – quiet, reserved, pessimistic, sober, rigid, anxious, moody.

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8
Q

What type is low N and high E? What qualities come with this?

A

Sanguine type (stable extroverts): qualities such as – outgoing, talkative, responsive, easy going, lively, carefree, sociable.

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9
Q

What type is low N and low E? What qualities come with this?

A

Phlegmatic type (stable introverts): qualities such as – calm, even-tempered, reliable, controlled, peaceful, thoughtful, careful.

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10
Q

What did Eysenck later add on as a third dimension?

A

Psychoticism (P)

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11
Q

What personality traits are associated with Psychoticism?

A

High P-scorers tend to be cold, uncaring, solitary, and aggressive.

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12
Q

Eysenck believed P to be largely ___________ determined.

A

genetically

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13
Q

Which personality type is more likely to be linked to criminality?

A

Neuroticism

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14
Q

Which characteristics linked to each personality type suggest your personality type predicts if you are at risk of being a criminal?

A
  • Extroversion (E)- Assertive/dominant/sensation seeking.
  • Neuroticism(N)- Anxious /depressed /emotional /moody.
  • Psychoticism (P)- Aggressive/anti-social/lacks empathy.
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15
Q

What personality trait did Eysenck say that criminals display higher levels of?

A

All 3 characteristics.

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16
Q

Name a strength of Eysenck’s Personality Theory.

A

Has shown some accuracies with experts as his theory has been tested and there is some evidence to suggest that offenders will score more highly on Neuroticism.

17
Q

Name a weakness of Eysenck’s Personality Theory.

A

Sometimes personality traits are contextual e.g. (you might behave differently at college than around your friends and family).