addictive - individual: personality

Question 1

useful application

Answer 1

P: It has limited practical application, as Eysenck’s theory posits that personality is largely stable and unchangeable, which limits the potential for developing treatments or interventions based on personality traits
E: Costa and McCrae (1994) found that personality traits remain relatively consistent over time, even with therapeutic intervention, meaning that any treatment aimed at altering these traits to prevent addiction would be largely ineffective. Also, encouraging someone to change their inherent personality is not only impractical but also ethically questionable, as it implies a need to fundamentally alter who they are.
T: Therefore, this makes the theory less useful in addressing addiction
C: However, if we know an individual is neurotic, we can give them coping strategies for their low self-esteem and anxiety

Question 2

determinist

Answer 2

P: One strength of Eysenck’s deterministic approach is that by identifying key personality traits like neuroticism and extraversion, individuals with a predisposition to addiction can be more easily identified and encouraged to seek help early.
E: For example, people who exhibit high levels of neuroticism may be more aware of their emotional instability, which could motivate them to seek treatment. Research by Terracciano et al. (2008) found that individuals with higher neuroticism tend to seek psychological help more often due to their sensitivity to stress and anxiety.
T: This makes Eysenck’s theory practically useful, as pinpointing these traits allows for early intervention strategies, potentially increasing the likelihood that addicts will seek help before their addiction becomes severe.
C: However, the deterministic nature of the theory might backfire, as labelling individuals based on personality traits could discourage them from seeking help. If addicts believe their behaviour is determined solely by fixed personality traits, they may feel powerless to change, potentially reducing their motivation to pursue treatment.

Question 3

validity

Answer 3

P: One weakness is that Eyseneck’s theory of personality may be invalid. He argues that personality is fixed and stable, that our traits remain consistent across situations and time. However, this may not necessarily be true
E: Sayed et al. (2015), who found that traumatic events, such as combat exposure in military personnel, can significantly alter personality traits. Veterans who experienced trauma showed increases in neuroticism and decreases in agreeableness and conscientiousness. These personality changes are linked to higher vulnerability to substance use disorders, suggesting that personality is not fixed but can be reshaped by life experiences, further challenging Eysenck’s claim of stability and its relation to addiction.
T: This therefore shows that Eyseneck’s theories about personality has low validity and reliability
C: However, it does provide a clear and focused explanation of addiction risk by isolating key personality traits like neuroticism and extraversion which can then be targeted for intervention. Therefore making a complex behaviour like addiction easier to treat and predict behaviour.