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Flashcards in Eysenck's theory Deck (9)
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1
Q

Personality theory

A
  • proposed behaviour could be represented along two dimensions: introversion-extraversion and neuroticism-stability
  • dimensions combine to form a variety of personality characteristics or traits
  • Eysenck added a third dimension psychoticism-sociability
2
Q

Biological basis

A
  • personality traits are biological in origin and come about through the type of nervous system we develop
3
Q

Extraverts

A
  • underactive nervous system
  • constantly seek excitement
  • likely to engage in risk taking behaviours
  • not conditioned easily
  • do not learn from mistakes
4
Q

Neurotic

A
  • high level of sympathetic nervous system
  • respond quickly to situations of threat
  • nervous
  • jumpy
  • overanxious
  • behaviour often difficult to predict
5
Q

psychotic

A
  • high levels of testosterone

- unemotional

6
Q

criminal personality

A
  • high on extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism
7
Q

role of socialisation

A
  • criminal behaviour developmentally immature
  • criminal type hard to condition
  • stay antisocial
8
Q

Eysenck Personality questionnaire

A
  • locates respondents along extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism dimensions to determine personality type
9
Q

evaluation

A

+ research support - prisoners high on E, N and P compared to controls

  • too simplistic - adolescents different from adults, personality and environment interact
  • cultural factors - african-american offenders have low E