Psychological Explanations: Eysenck's theory

Question 1

The criminal personality definition

Answer 1

An individual who scores highly on measures of extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism and cannot easily be conditioned, is cold and unfeeling, is likely to engage in offending behaviour

Question 2

extraversion definition

Answer 2

The extent to which a person is interested in and enjoys social interaction

Question 3

neuroticism definition

Answer 3

Traits characterised by instability, anxiety, aggression etc.

Question 4

psychoticism definition

Answer 4

A personality pattern typified by aggressiveness and interpersonal hostility

Question 5

Who is considered the forefather of psychological explanations of criminal behaviour?

Answer 5

Hans Eysenck.

Question 6

What does Eysenck’s theory suggest about the origins of criminal behaviour?

Answer 6

That criminals are born, not made — due to inherited personality traits.

Question 7

What are the three dimensions in Eysenck’s personality theory?

Answer 7

Extraversion (E), Neuroticism (N), and Psychoticism (P).

Question 8

According to Eysenck, what increases the likelihood of criminal behaviour?

Answer 8

Having high levels of E, N, and P — this combination is linked to criminal personality.

Question 9

How is the Joker a good example of a neurotic personality?

Answer 9

He is erratic, emotionally unstable, and unpredictable

Question 10

What do we learn in nursery and school that helps prevent criminal behaviour?

Answer 10

Unspoken social rules like patience, kindness, and waiting in line.

Question 11

What is delayed gratification?

Answer 11

The ability to wait for a reward — linked to self-control and patience.

Question 12

Why might criminals struggle with delayed gratification?

Answer 12

They often seek immediate rewards, showing impulsivity and poor socialisation.

Question 13

What type of bias has Eysenck’s research been criticised for?

Answer 13

Gender bias — research often based on male offenders.

Question 14

Which two personality dimensions did Eysenck initially use to describe criminal personality?

Answer 14

Neurotic–stable and extravert–introvert

Question 15

What is the third dimension added later by Eysenck

Answer 15

Psychoticism

Question 16

How does Eysenck’s theory link to biological explanations of criminality?

Answer 16

It attributes criminal behaviour to nervous system activity linked to personality types.

Question 17

Why are extraverts more likely to engage in criminal behaviour, according to Eysenck?

Answer 17

They have an underactive nervous system, so they seek new stimulation and tend to be impulsive and nervous.

Question 18

How does personality influence socialisation in Eysenck’s theory?

Answer 18

Personality and inherited nervous system activity affect how well an individual is socialised during childhood.

Question 19

Why might neurotic-extraverts struggle with socialisation?

Answer 19

They may not see antisocial behaviour as negative or undesirable and thus act antisocially.

Question 20

What tool did Eysenck develop to measure personality across the three dimensions?

Answer 20

The Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI).

Question 21

AO3 (1) Eysenck’s theory

Answer 21

• One strength is the evidence supporting Eysenck’s theory
• For example, Eysenck and Eysenck et al. (1977) compared EPI scores of 2070 male prisoners and 2422 male controls ranging from 16 – 69 years.
• This is a strength because the results showed that prisoners recorded higher scores than controls on P, E & N, therefore supporting the predictions of the theory and increasing its trustworthiness.
• However, it can be argued that Farrington et al. (1982) reviewed several studies and reported that offenders tend to score high on P measures, but not for E and N. Additionally, there is very little evidence of consistent differences in EEG measures (used to measure cortical arousal) between extraverts and introverts
• Despite this, Eysenck’s research included a control group showing that his finding are reliable and valid
• Thus increasing the internal validity of Eysenck’s theory

Question 22

AO3 (2) Eysenck’s theory

Answer 22

• Another strength is that this theory fir other biological approaches
• For example, the theory recognises that personality may have a genetic basis and thus fits well with other biological explanations such as the overlap with APD – offenders are cold, uncaring and incapable of empathy
• This is a strength because unlike Raine, who explained APD through differences in brain structure and function, Eysenck attributes this to the activity of the nervous system
• However, it can be argued that the biological approach ignores nurture as it’s reductionist therefore it . Additionally Eysenck isn’t as scientific and objective as the neural and genetic explanations, thus reducing the reliability of this theory
• Despite this, due to the theory only focusing on the biological approach, it helps to look at this factor in depth as it does not ignore the complexities of the biological approach.
• Thus increasing the internal validity of Eysenck’s theory

Question 23

AO3 (3) Eysenck’s theory

Answer 23

• Another limitation is cultural bias
• For example, Bartol and Holanchock (1979) studied Hispanic and African-American offenders in a New York maximum security prison, dividing them into six groups based on criminal history and offence
• This is a weakness because all six groups were less extravert than non-criminal control groups. Bartol and Holanchook suggested this was because the sample was a different cultural group from that investigated by Eysenck, which shows that there was cultural bias
• However, it can be argued that it’s not about cultural variation as it doesn’t depend on upbringing and culture that effect how you fill out the questionnaire but it could be that personality and offence committed or if they were in maximum prison that plays a bigger role
• Despite this, with Eysenck using only white male prisoner, this questions the generalisability of the criminal personality
• Thus reducing the population validity of Eysenck’s theory

Question 24

AO3 (4) Eysenck’s theory

Answer 24

• A further limitation is the mismeasurement of personality
• For example, Eysenck’s theory assumes it is possible to measure personality.
• This is a weakness because critics argue that we cannot reduce personality to a ‘score’ from the EPI therefore negating Eysenck’s idea of personality is linked to criminal behaviour
• However, some argue that there is no such thing as personality as a stable entity and that we adopt different personalities in different contexts according to Mischel 1988 therefore we can’t rely on personality being the main cause for criminal behaviour
• Despite this, Eysenck’s theory undermines the concept of a stable and measurable criminal personality
• Thus reducing the internal validity of Eysenck’s theory

Question 25

AO3 (5) Eysenck's theory

Answer 25

- One limitation is the idea of a single criminal type - For example, Moffitt (1993) proposed several distinct types of adult male offender based on the timing of the first offence, and how long offending persists - This is a weakness because it shows that Eysenck’s theory is out of step with modern personality theories. - However, it can be argued that Digman’s (1990) five factor model suggest three additional dimensions of openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness - Despite this, the evidence suggest that many different types of criminal may exist because E and N are not the only factors that contribute - Despite this, limited because Eysenck’s theory > environment - Eysenck > valid applicability reliable findings + hypothesis so valid application > real world application because the offenders in prison scored higher than people outside of prison - Thus reducing the internal validity of Eysenck’s theory - Don’t get this one go back over it !!!!