Describe 2 individual differences explanations of criminal behaviours. 10 markers
Eysenck’s criminal personality A01
Point
What is the - Eysenck suggested that criminals all share specific personality traits that increases their riks
criminal of committing criminal behaviour. The criminal personality consists of 3 personality traits:
personality extroversion, Neuroticism and psychoticism. Extroversion can be defined as individuals who
are socialble and impulsive, neuroticism refers to individuals who are obsessive and lack self
esteem, psychoticism refers to individuals who lack empathy, are manipulative and display
high levels of aggression.
How do you - Eysenck developed to types of personalities tests which he used to measure personality (in
test terms of P,E,N)
personality? - The Eysenck’s personality inventory and later a more developed and modified into the
(2types) Eysenck’s personality questionnaire.
How does - Have an under aroused automatic nervous system, this means that they are likely to seek
extroversion stimulation by being risk taking and may lead to them committing impulsive crimes such as
have a bio theft or shoplifting.
predisposition - As opposed to introverts who have an over aroused automatic nervous system which leads
to withdrawal in order to reduce them feeling overwhelmed
How does - Have an overactive nervous system, this needs to them misinterpreting situations as threats
neuroticism and may result in them committing crime in retaliation to a social situation such as assault
have a bio - Stable individuals are less likely to misinterpret situations which results in them dealing with
predisposition confrontations in a calm manner (have a better regulation of arousal)
How does - Individuals with high levels of psychopathy also have high levels of testosterone.
psychoticism - This may result in these individuals committing more aggressive crimes as do not feel any
have a bio remorse for their actions.
predisposition
Eysenck’s - 2000 male prisoners, measured them using the EPQ and found that they all had high levels
original of P,E,N
research
Cognitive factors A01
Point
What is - Where individuals misinterpret a social situation as a threat.
hostile - This can lead to individuals viewing a situation such as a smile as being hostile (for example
attribution believing that they are laughing at the individual).
bias - For example Harris – the columbine school shooter, wrote letters stating that his class mates
were bullying him ( when they did not have any social interactions with them.
What is - An example of cognitive distortion that prevents the offender from feeling guilty about their
magnification actions.
- This is where the offender presents themselves as a hero or suggests that they only
committed the crime in order to protect themselves.
- For example, offenders such as the Yorkshire ripper believed that they were helping society
by removing the world of prostitutes and sinners. This prevents them from recognising that
they have committed deviant behaviour and truly believed that they acted in the best
Eysenck’s criminal personality A01
Point
What is the - Eysenck suggested that criminals all share specific personality traits that increases their riks
criminal of committing criminal behaviour. The criminal personality consists of 3 personality traits:
personality extroversion, Neuroticism and psychoticism. Extroversion can be defined as individuals who
are socialble and impulsive, neuroticism refers to individuals who are obsessive and lack self
esteem, psychoticism refers to individuals who lack empathy, are manipulative and display
high levels of aggression.
How do you - Eysenck developed to types of personalities tests which he used to measure personality (in
test terms of P,E,N)
personality? - The Eysenck’s personality inventory and later a more developed and modified into the
(2types) Eysenck’s personality questionnaire.
How does - Have an under aroused automatic nervous system, this means that they are likely to seek
extroversion stimulation by being risk taking and may lead to them committing impulsive crimes such as
have a bio theft or shoplifting.
predisposition - As opposed to introverts who have an over aroused automatic nervous system which leads
to withdrawal in order to reduce them feeling overwhelmed
How does - Have an overactive nervous system, this needs to them misinterpreting situations as threats
neuroticism and may result in them committing crime in retaliation to a social situation such as assault
have a bio - Stable individuals are less likely to misinterpret situations which results in them dealing with
predisposition confrontations in a calm manner (have a better regulation of arousal)
How does - Individuals with high levels of psychopathy also have high levels of testosterone.
psychoticism - This may result in these individuals committing more aggressive crimes as do not feel any
have a bio remorse for their actions.
predisposition
Eysenck’s - 2000 male prisoners, measured them using the EPQ and found that they all had high levels
original of P,E,N
research
Cognitive factors A01
Point
What is - Where individuals misinterpret a social situation as a threat.
hostile - This can lead to individuals viewing a situation such as a smile as being hostile (for example
attribution believing that they are laughing at the individual).
bias - For example Harris – the columbine school shooter, wrote letters stating that his class mates
were bullying him ( when they did not have any social interactions with them.
What is - An example of cognitive distortion that prevents the offender from feeling guilty about their
magnification actions.
- This is where the offender presents themselves as a hero or suggests that they only
committed the crime in order to protect themselves.
- For example, offenders such as the Yorkshire ripper believed that they were helping society
by removing the world of prostitutes and sinners. This prevents them from recognising that
they have committed deviant behaviour and truly believed that they acted in the best
