Eyesenk's Theory of the Criminal Personality

Question	Answer
Eyesenk's Theory	The criminal personality is neurotic extrovert, later added in psychotic
McGurk and McDougall	100 students defined as delinquent and 100 not delinquent students completed the EPI and their E and N scores were calculated There were significant differences in scores on all three dimensions, the delinquent group had a combination of high P, E and N scores
Evaluation	Other studies support the idea that offenders have high P and N scores but evidence for high E score isn't as convincing Digman - Five Factor Model suggests other dimensions are important, therefore a neurotic-extravert doesn't necessarily become an offender Moffit - There are 4 distinct criminal types (stable early starters)(adolescent-limited)(adult starters)(discontinuous offenders) Eyesenk's theory is easily tested and the EPI is a reliable tool for measuring personality

Resource summary

	Created by Adam O'Rourke almost 11 years ago