Eysenck's Theory Part 1

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  • Created by: H3lix
  • Created on: 03-05-22 12:03

Eysenck's Theory

Advantages

  • PREDICTIVE VALIDITY - Dunlop et al (2012) found honesty, humility & P can predict delinquency
  • MORE BIO DETERMINSTIC - considers various types of behaviours that influences criminality e.g inherited criminality, MAO-A gene variant, though is an INTERACTIONIST APPROACH
  • FREE WILL = if free will taken into account = impossible to predict cause for criminality e.g high N, P & E in abusers & sex offenders

Disadvantages

  • PERSONALITY TRAITS NOT CONSISTENT- changes over time, E is not consistently found in criminals, personality traits not a single paradigm. Some can be N outside, but E at home.
  • Mischel (1988) suggests multiple traits not just 3D, not necessarily criminals, possible factors involved
  • NON-SCIENTIFIC - heavily dependable on self-reports psychometric measures, could be subject to research bias, initially aimed to measure personality, not criminality, lack of empirical methods = difficult to generalise (low population validity)

Evaluation

In summary, despite the supporting evidence from Dunlop et al (2012) on the link between delinquency, and criminality, the lack of consideration that criminals have a myriad of personality traits means Eysenck's theory overlooks personality traits as only a single paradigm. For example, Eysenck saw criminals as simply either N, E & P. Therefore, Eysenck's theory is a limited individual differences explanation, because without scientific evidence, his theory cannot explain why some commit certain types of crimes. 

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