Eysenck's theory

Question 1

Personality theory

Answer 1

three dimensions: Introversion-extroversion, neuroticism-stability, psychoticism-sociability.

Question 2

Biological basis

Answer 2

Extraverts (underactive nervous system), neurotics (overactive sympathetic nervous system), psychotics (high testosterone).

Question 3

The criminal personality

Answer 3

High on extraversion (excitement), neuroticism (overanxious), and psychoticism (aggressive).

Question 4

the role of socialisation

Answer 4

criminal behaviour is developmentally immature, criminal type hard to condition, they stay antisocial.

Question 5

Measuring the criminal personality

Answer 5

EPQ has E, N and P dimensions

Question 6

research support

Answer 6

Prisoners high on E, N and P compared to controls (Eysenck and Eysenck).
COUNTERPOINT
offenders high on P but not E or N (Farrington et al). Cortical arousal may not differ in extraverts and introverts (Kussner).

Question 7

too simplistic

Answer 7

Adolescents different from adults, personality and environment interact (Moffitt)

Question 8

cultural factors

Answer 8

Hispanic/African-American offenders low E (Barton)

Question 9

Measuring personality (extra evaluation)

Answer 9

EPQ is useful in studying offending, but the ‘score’ may not sufficiently represent the complex and dynamic traits.