Psychological explanations:Eysenck’s theory -A-Level Psychology
Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality:
General personality theory-Eysenck proposed that behaviour could be represented along two dimensions:Extraversion/introversion (E) and neuroticism/stability (N).These dimensions interact to form a variety of personality characteristics/traits.Eysenck added a third dimension-psychoticism (P).
Biological basis-Eysenck suggested that personality traits are biological in origin and arise from the type of nervous system inherited.So ,all personality types such as the criminal personality type have an innate ,biological basis.Extraverts have an underactive nervous system which means that they constantly seek excitement,stimulation and are more likely to take part in risk-taking behaviours.They tend to not condition easily so do not learn from their mistakes.Neurotic individuals are nervous and over anxious.Their general instability means that their behavior is difficult to predict.
The criminal personality-Neurotic-extravert .Eysenck suggested that the typical offender will also score highly on measures of psychoticism -cold,unemotional and prone to aggression.
The role of socialisation-Eysenck described how personality is linked to criminal behaviour via socialisation processes.Eysenck saw that criminal behaviour is immature and selfish,concerned with immediate gratification(impatient).The process of socialisation is when children are taught to become more able to delay gratification and more socially oriented.Eysenck believed that those with high E and N scores had nervous systems that made them difficult to condition,so they would not learn easily to respond to antisocial impulses with anxiety.They would be more likely to act antisocially in situations where the opportunity presented itself.
Measuring the criminal personality-Eysenck developed the EPI which was a form of psychological test that locates people along the E and D dimensions in order to determine their personality type.A later scale included psychoticism.
Evaluation:
Supporting evidence-Eysenck compared 2070 male prisoners scores on the EPI with 2422 male controls.The groups were split into age groups from 16-69 .On measures of psychoticism,extraversion and neuroticism across all age groups ,the prisoners scored higher than controls .However,Farringtion et al reviewed multiple studies and reported that offenders tended to score high on P measures but not on E and N.There is also little evidence of consistent differences in EEG measures between extraverts and introverts which causes doubt over the psychological basis of Eysenck’s theory.
Cultural bias-Bartol and Holanchock looked into cultural differences.They studied Hispanic and African-American offenders in a maximum security prison in New York.They divided them into 6 groups based on their criminal history and the nature of their offence.In all 6 groups ,they found that the criminals were less extravert than a non-criminal control group.Barot et al suggested this was due to the fact that their sample was a very different cultural group than the one investigated by Eysenck.This questions the generalisability of the criminal personality.
Hans Eysenck was a German-born British psychologist who developed a theory of personality that focused on three dimensions: extraversion-introversion, neuroticism-emotional stability, and psychoticism. Eysenck believed that these dimensions could explain a wide range of personality traits and behaviors.
Extraversion is a personality trait characterized by outgoing, sociable behavior, while introversion is characterized by reserved, introspective behavior. According to Eysenck’s theory, extraverts have a lower level of cortical arousal than introverts, which causes them to seek out stimulating environments and social interactions.
Neuroticism is a personality trait characterized by emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness. According to Eysenck’s theory, neuroticism is related to the functioning of the limbic system, which is responsible for emotional processing.
Psychoticism is a personality trait characterized by aggression, impulsivity, and a lack of empathy. According to Eysenck’s theory, psychoticism is related to the functioning of the autonomic nervous system and the hormone testosterone.
Eysenck’s theory has been used to explain a wide range of human behaviors, including risk-taking behavior, criminal behavior, and drug use. Understanding the three dimensions of Eysenck’s theory can help individuals and organizations better understand and predict behavior in various contexts.
One criticism of Eysenck’s theory is that it oversimplifies the complex nature of human personality. Some critics argue that the three dimensions of extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism are not sufficient to explain the full range of personality traits and behaviors. Additionally, some researchers have criticized Eysenck’s methodology and the validity of his measures.
Understanding Eysenck’s theory and its applications can help you better understand and analyze human behavior, which is a fundamental aspect of psychology. You can use Eysenck’s theory as a framework for analyzing case studies and research studies, and you can also use it to generate hypotheses and predictions about human behavior. Additionally, understanding Eysenck’s theory can help you prepare for exams and assessments in A-Level Psychology.
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