Eysenck Personality Theory
Eysenck starts by identifying 3 personality traits: extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. These traits are present in everyone from birth, but the degree of these traits varies based on genetic inheritance.
Components of Personality Theories
Extraversion: Individuals with high scores in extraversion are outgoing, sociable, and confident, while those with low scores tend to be quiet and shy. Criminals are often extroverts as they seek stimulation from the environment, which can lead to involvement in criminal activities.
Psychoticism: Individuals with high scores in psychoticism are impulsive, aggressive, and selfish, while those with low scores tend to be warm, considerate, and conscientious. Criminals tend to exhibit psychoticism traits, as these characteristics are directly related to criminal behavior.
Nevroticism: People with high scores in neuroticism are anxious, angry, and prone to feeling guilty, while those with low scores tend to be calm and even-tempered. High levels of neuroticism can lead individuals to engage in criminal behavior as a means of relieving anxiety.
Perspectives of Personality
Eysenck developed questionnaires to score these personality traits and categorized individuals based on their scores. Critics argue that the concept of psychoticism is not useful and that Eysenck's theory does not emphasize enough on nurture.
Eysenck's Conditioning Theory
Eysenck argued that in extroverts, the cerebral cortex is under-aroused and hungry for stimulation, leading to risky and lawless behavior. He also linked criminal personality traits to the central nervous system and the activity of the autonomic nervous system.
Eysenck's theory also suggests that individuals with high levels of extraversion and neuroticism are difficult to condition, which may contribute to criminal behavior. This theory has received criticism for not adequately considering individual differences and the role of nurture in the development of personality traits.
Criminal Personality Theory Strengths and Weaknesses
While Eysenck's theory provides valuable insight into the relationship between personality traits and criminal behavior, it is important to consider the impact of individual differences and environmental factors on the development of personality traits and criminal tendencies.
In conclusion, Eysenck's personality theory provides a framework for understanding the relationship between personality traits and criminal behavior. However, critics argue that it does not fully consider the role of nurture and individual differences in the development of personality traits. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and personality traits in the context of criminal behavior.
