such as nervousness, anxiety and obsessiveness. The opposite end of the spectrum is described as 'stable' and they would have a calm demeanour and a more carefree attitude. Psychoticism – someone who measure high on this scale would be insensitive, unemotional and lack a conscience. This dimension, according to Eysenck was different to the other two as he believed most people would gain a low score on psychoticism whereas most people would fall in the middle of the E & N spectrum. Biological basis to the theory: (What psychological debate would this link to?). Although Eysenck's theory of criminal personality is psychological he does argue that all personality types - including the criminal personality - have an innate, biological basis . Therefore we have a predisposition to inherit certain traits, some of which could make it more likely for an individual to develop a criminal personality. (continues on next page) Notes Biological basis for; Extroversion: Due to low levels of arousal in the brain. Extraverts seek excitement and stimulation from the environment and are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviour. Neuroticism: Due to the ANS, some people react swiftly and strongly to stress physiologically. Eysenck argued that those who are high in neuroticism would react quickly and to a greater degree. Their general instability means their behaviour is difficult to predict. Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) (This is also referred to as Eysenck's Personality Inventory or EPI) This measures where an individual is along the E, N & P dimensions to determine their personality type. Below are some examples for items measuring each personality trait: Do you like to talk a lot? (E) Are you rather lively (E) Do you worry about things that might happen (N) Are your feelings rather easily hurt? (N) Do you seem to get into a lot of fights (P) Would you enjoy practical jokes that could sometimes really hurt people (P)
such as nervousness, anxiety and obsessiveness. The opposite end of the spectrum is described as 'stable' and they would have a calm demeanour and a more carefree attitude. Psychoticism – someone who measure high on this scale would be insensitive, unemotional and lack a conscience. This dimension, according to Eysenck was different to the other two as he believed most people would gain a low score on psychoticism whereas most people would fall in the middle of the E & N spectrum. Biological basis to the theory: (What psychological debate would this link to?). Although Eysenck's theory of criminal personality is psychological he does argue that all personality types - including the criminal personality - have an innate, biological basis . Therefore we have a predisposition to inherit certain traits, some of which could make it more likely for an individual to develop a criminal personality. (continues on next page) Notes Biological basis for; Extroversion: Due to low levels of arousal in the brain. Extraverts seek excitement and stimulation from the environment and are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviour. Neuroticism: Due to the ANS, some people react swiftly and strongly to stress physiologically. Eysenck argued that those who are high in neuroticism would react quickly and to a greater degree. Their general instability means their behaviour is difficult to predict. Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) (This is also referred to as Eysenck's Personality Inventory or EPI) This measures where an individual is along the E, N & P dimensions to determine their personality type. Below are some examples for items measuring each personality trait: Do you like to talk a lot? (E) Are you rather lively (E) Do you worry about things that might happen (N) Are your feelings rather easily hurt? (N) Do you seem to get into a lot of fights (P) Would you enjoy practical jokes that could sometimes really hurt people (P)
forensic_psychology_pack.docx