Psychological theories of crime: Eysenck Flashcards
Biological: Functioning of the nervous system- Some individuals inherit a nervous system that require high levels of stimulation
Psychological: Stable psychological traits- People’s personalities can be reduced to just two dimensions.
Social: Responses to socialisation (conditioning)- People with high anxiety are difficult to condition into society’s rules
What two dimensions does Eysenck’s Personality Theory suggest people’s personality varies along?
- Extraversion (E)– how much stimulation they need
- Neuroticism (N) – how emotionally unstable they are
Name the 4 ways these traits are normally distributed.
1) High N
2) High E
3) Low N
4) Low E
What type is high N and high E? What qualities come with this?
Choleric type (unstable extroverts): qualities include being touchy, excitable, restless, changeable, irresponsible, impulsive, aggressive.
What type is high N and low E? What qualities come with this?
Melancholic type (unstable introverts): qualities such as – quiet, reserved, pessimistic, sober, rigid, anxious, moody.
What type is low N and high E? What qualities come with this?
Sanguine type (stable extroverts): qualities such as – outgoing, talkative, responsive, easy going, lively, carefree, sociable.
What type is low N and low E? What qualities come with this?
Phlegmatic type (stable introverts): qualities such as – calm, even-tempered, reliable, controlled, peaceful, thoughtful, careful.
What did Eysenck later add on as a third dimension?
Psychoticism (P)
What personality traits are associated with Psychoticism?
High P-scorers tend to be cold, uncaring, solitary, and aggressive.
Eysenck believed P to be largely ___________ determined.
genetically
Which personality type is more likely to be linked to criminality?
Neuroticism
Which characteristics linked to each personality type suggest your personality type predicts if you are at risk of being a criminal?
- Extroversion (E)- Assertive/dominant/sensation seeking.
- Neuroticism(N)- Anxious /depressed /emotional /moody.
- Psychoticism (P)- Aggressive/anti-social/lacks empathy.
What personality trait did Eysenck say that criminals display higher levels of?
All 3 characteristics.