Eysenck

Question 1

What type of theory is this?

Answer 1

Individualistic

Question 2

Is the theory psychological or psychodynamic?

Answer 2

psychological

Question 3

What is the name of the theory?

Answer 3

Eysenck’s theory of a criminal personality

Question 4

What are 3 traits that make up a criminal personality?

Answer 4

Extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism

Question 5

What is extraversion (include cause and a crime)?

Answer 5

Outgoing people who enjoy risk and danger. It’s caused by having an underactive nervous system.
Theft.

Question 6

What is neuroticism (include cause and a crime)?

Answer 6

People with negative emotional states who lack stability.
It’s caused by having an over-reactive nervous system.
Assault.

Question 7

What is psychoticism (include cause and a crime)?

Answer 7

People who lack empathy and act impulsively/ aggressively.
It’s caused by high level of testosterone.
Rape.

Question 8

What study did Eysenck conduct?

Answer 8

He measured the traits through a questionnaire.
People would be ranked for each trait.
High score = have the trait

Question 9

What are the strengths of this theory?

Answer 9

It’s a testable theory ( can use his personality questionnaire).
It allows us to identify those at risk of criminal behavior from a young age.
It helps to identify those who won’t respond to punishment or rewards to try to develop another way to install rule abiding.

Question 10

What are the weaknesses of this theory?

Answer 10

It ignores motive for crime such as theft, like needing money.
People are unable to provide explanations on a questionnaire as they may be another reason for their behaviour ( depressed, anxious).
Using this on children won’t guarantee the same results as personality changes. Children are usually more extroverted than adults.