Personality theories

1. Personality TheoriesPersonality Theories
Are certain personalities more Are certain personalities more
likely to commit crime?likely to commit crime?
By Marta Llamas

2. EysenckEysenck
Hans EysenckHans Eysenck (1916 -1997) (1916 -1997)
was a British psychologist of was a British psychologist of
German origin. His main work German origin. His main work
was on intelligence and was on intelligence and
personality.personality.
 He wrote over 60 books on He wrote over 60 books on
many subjects including the many subjects including the
influence of drugs, sex and influence of drugs, sex and
many about personalities.many about personalities.
Isn’t he lovely :)

3. What did he say? - ExtroversionWhat did he say? - Extroversion
Extroversion is characterized by being outgoing, talkative, high on Extroversion is characterized by being outgoing, talkative, high on
positive affect (feeling good), and in need of external stimulation. positive affect (feeling good), and in need of external stimulation.
According to Eysenck's arousal theory of extraversion, there is an According to Eysenck's arousal theory of extraversion, there is an
optimal level of cortical arousal, and performance deteriorates as optimal level of cortical arousal, and performance deteriorates as
one becomes more or less aroused than this optimal level. Arousal one becomes more or less aroused than this optimal level. Arousal
can be measured by skin conductance, brain waves or sweating. At can be measured by skin conductance, brain waves or sweating. At
very low and very high levels of arousal, performance is low, but at very low and very high levels of arousal, performance is low, but at
a more optimal mid-level of arousal, performance is maximized. a more optimal mid-level of arousal, performance is maximized.
Extraverts, according to Eysenck's theory, are chronically under-Extraverts, according to Eysenck's theory, are chronically under-
aroused and bored and are therefore in need of external stimulation aroused and bored and are therefore in need of external stimulation
to bring them up to an optimal level of performance. Introverts, on to bring them up to an optimal level of performance. Introverts, on
the other hand, are chronically over-aroused and jittery and are the other hand, are chronically over-aroused and jittery and are
therefore in need of peace and quiet to bring them up to an optimal therefore in need of peace and quiet to bring them up to an optimal
level of performance. level of performance.
Therefore if the level of extroversion is high you are more likely to Therefore if the level of extroversion is high you are more likely to
commit crime as you need stimulation…commit crime as you need stimulation…

4. What did he say? - NeuroticismWhat did he say? - Neuroticism
Neuroticism is characterized by high levels of negative affect such Neuroticism is characterized by high levels of negative affect such
as depression and anxiety. as depression and anxiety.
Neuroticism, according to Eysenck's theory, is based on activation Neuroticism, according to Eysenck's theory, is based on activation
thresholds in the sympathetic nervous system or visceral brain. This thresholds in the sympathetic nervous system or visceral brain. This
is the part of the brain that is responsible for the fight-or-flight is the part of the brain that is responsible for the fight-or-flight
response in the face of danger. Activation can be measured by response in the face of danger. Activation can be measured by
heart rate, blood pressure, cold hands, sweating and muscular heart rate, blood pressure, cold hands, sweating and muscular
tension (especially in the forehead). tension (especially in the forehead).
Neurotic people, who have low activation thresholds, and unable to Neurotic people, who have low activation thresholds, and unable to
inhibit or control their emotional reactions, experience negative inhibit or control their emotional reactions, experience negative
affect (fight-or-flight) in the face of very minor stressors - they are affect (fight-or-flight) in the face of very minor stressors - they are
easily nervous or upset. Emotionally stable people, who have high easily nervous or upset. Emotionally stable people, who have high
activation thresholds and good emotional control, experience activation thresholds and good emotional control, experience
negative affect only in the face of very major stressors - they are negative affect only in the face of very major stressors - they are
calm and collected under pressure. calm and collected under pressure.
Therefore if the level of neuroticism is high you are more likely to Therefore if the level of neuroticism is high you are more likely to
commit crime as you aren’t calm in stressful situations…commit crime as you aren’t calm in stressful situations…

5. What did he say? - PsychoticismWhat did he say? - Psychoticism
Psychoticism is associated not only with the liability to Psychoticism is associated not only with the liability to
have a psychotic episode (or break with reality), but also have a psychotic episode (or break with reality), but also
with aggression. with aggression.
Psychotic behaviour is rooted in the characteristics of Psychotic behaviour is rooted in the characteristics of
tough-mindedness, non-conformity, inconsideration, tough-mindedness, non-conformity, inconsideration,
recklessness, hostility, anger and impulsiveness. recklessness, hostility, anger and impulsiveness.
The physiological basis suggested by Eysenck for The physiological basis suggested by Eysenck for
psychoticism is testosterone, with higher levels of psychoticism is testosterone, with higher levels of
psychoticism associated with higher levels of psychoticism associated with higher levels of
testosterone. testosterone.
Therefore if the level of psychoticism is high you are Therefore if the level of psychoticism is high you are
more likely to commit crime as you are reckless, more likely to commit crime as you are reckless,
impulsive and angry… Also a possible reason why most impulsive and angry… Also a possible reason why most
criminals are male…criminals are male…

6. Test subject – MyselfTest subject – Myself
This test reflects the ideas of Hans Eysenck a pioneer in This test reflects the ideas of Hans Eysenck a pioneer in
the field of personality research. Through research and the field of personality research. Through research and
statistical analysis he determined that personality is statistical analysis he determined that personality is
composed of three main elements: Extroversion, composed of three main elements: Extroversion,
Neuroticism, and Psychoticism. Neuroticism, and Psychoticism.
Most current researchers agree on the significance of Most current researchers agree on the significance of
the first two traits, but there is less consensus on the the first two traits, but there is less consensus on the
third (so he may be wrong about it's central importance third (so he may be wrong about it's central importance
but it clearly plays some role in personality). Most people but it clearly plays some role in personality). Most people
will score lower on Psychoticism. While Psychoticism will score lower on Psychoticism. While Psychoticism
implies more negative qualities than the other two traits implies more negative qualities than the other two traits
(typically), a link has been found is several studies (typically), a link has been found is several studies
between higher creativity and higher scores on between higher creativity and higher scores on
Psychoticism.Psychoticism.

7. And my resultsAnd my results
Extroversion (sociability) 79%Extroversion (sociability) 79%
Neuroticism (emotionality) 45%Neuroticism (emotionality) 45%
Psychoticism (rebelliousness) 40%Psychoticism (rebelliousness) 40%

8. And my resultsAnd my results
ExtroversionExtroversion results were high which suggests you are overly talkative, results were high which suggests you are overly talkative,
outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing
your own individual interests and internally based identity.your own individual interests and internally based identity.

This one indicates I could be a criminal, because I am easily bored and need This one indicates I could be a criminal, because I am easily bored and need
stimulation…stimulation…
NeuroticismNeuroticism results were medium which suggests you are moderately results were medium which suggests you are moderately
worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.

Quite good here, as I am quite able to control myself in stressful situations …Quite good here, as I am quite able to control myself in stressful situations …
PsychoticismPsychoticism results were moderately low which suggests you are, at results were moderately low which suggests you are, at
times, overly kind natured, trusting, and helpful at the expense of your own times, overly kind natured, trusting, and helpful at the expense of your own
individual development (martyr complex). Prior to Eysenck's discovery of individual development (martyr complex). Prior to Eysenck's discovery of
Psychoticism, he correlated his original two traits (introversion and Psychoticism, he correlated his original two traits (introversion and
neuroticism) with an ancient Greek personality system known as the Galen neuroticism) with an ancient Greek personality system known as the Galen
types (Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic).types (Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic).

Also low here, which means I have low levels of testosterone (reassuring) and Also low here, which means I have low levels of testosterone (reassuring) and
therefore I’m not reckless or impulsive…therefore I’m not reckless or impulsive…
http://www.similarminds.com/eysenck.html http://www.similarminds.com/eysenck.html

9. What does this mean?What does this mean?
Many psychologists agree that it is hard to Many psychologists agree that it is hard to
conclude at what point extroversion, conclude at what point extroversion,
neuroticism or psychoticism are too high neuroticism or psychoticism are too high
and therefore one is likely to commit and therefore one is likely to commit
crime.crime.
However most criminals are found to be However most criminals are found to be
high in all of these fields.high in all of these fields.