Psychological Explanations: Eysenck's Theory
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Eysenck date
1947
Eysenck proposed that personality could be represented along three dimensions
Introversion. Neuroticism. Psychoticism.
Introversion.
extraversion (E)
Neuroticism.
stability (N)
Psychoticism.
socialization (P)
the dimensions combine to form a
variety of personality characteristics or types
Eysenck suggested personality types are
innate and based on the nervous system we inherit
extroverts have an
under active nervous system which means they seek excitement and stimulation and engage in risk taking
neurotic individuals have a high level of reactivity in the
sympathetic nervous system
having a high level of reactivity in the sympathetic nervous system means neurotic individuals
react quickly to situations of threat
neurotic individuals tend to be
nervous, jumpy and over-anxious so their behavior is difficult to predict
psychotic individuals are suggested to have higher levels of
testosterone - they’re cold, unemotional and prone to aggression
The criminal personality type is a combination: neurotics
Neurotics are unstable and therefore prone to overreact to situations of threat
The criminal personality type is a combination: Extraverts
Extraverts seek more arousal and thus engage in dangerous activities
The criminal personality type is a combination: Psychotics
Psychotics are aggressive and lacking empathy
Eysenck saw criminal behaviour as
Developmentally immature in that it is selfish and concerned with immature gratification
Criminals are
Impatient and can not wait for things - so they are more likely to act anti socially
In the process of socialisation, children are taught to become
More able to delay gratification and more socially orientated
Eysenck believed that people with high Extraverts and Neurotics scores had
A Nervous systems that made it difficult for them to learn
As a result of having high extravert and neurotic scores
People are less likely to learn anxiety responses to antisocial impulses
A notion that personality can be measured is
Central to Eysenck’s theory
Eysenck developed the
Eysenck personality inventory (EPI)
Eysenck personality inventory (EPI) is a
Psychological test that locates respondents along the extravert and neurotics dimensions to determine their personality type
A letter scale was introduced to the Eysenck personality inventory (EPI) to
Measure psychoticism