Forensic Psychology Exam 2024
What does Eyesenck's theory suggest about behaviour
Behaviour can be represented along two dimensions. Introversion - extroversion (E), neuroticism -
stability (N)
A third dimension was later added psychotisicm - socialibility (P)
Why does Eyesenck's theory have a biological basis
He believes personality traits are based on the type of nervous system we inherit
Name the 3 personality types according to Eyesenck
Extroverts, Neurotics, Psychotics
Describe what an extrovert may look like
Under active nervous system and a constant need for stimulation (thrill seeking behaviour). Extroverts
are hard to condition as they may not learn from mistakes
Describe what a neurotic may look like
High level of reactivity in SNS, they are quick to flight or fight and may be nervous and jumpy causing
them to seem unpredictable
Describe what a psychotic may look like
High levels of testosterone making them seem unemotional and prone to aggression
What is the criminal personality type
neurotic-extravert-psychotic
Describe the role of socialisation in Eyesenck's theory
Learning delayed gratification can help teach children how to become more socially orientated. They
become less selfish and learn whats right and wrong.
What is the EPQ
Eyesenck's personality questionnaire, a self report questionnaire designed to measure participants
along the three dimensions of
Describe research support of eyesencks theory
Eyesenck and Eyesenck compared 2017 male prisoners with 2422 controls. They found that prisoners
had higher average scores for E, N and P which supports the central theory
Describe the counterpoint to supporting evidence of Eyesenck's theory
Harrington et al conducted a meta analysis and found offenders had higher P but not E or N. similarly
EEG's provided inconsistent evidence for the difference between introverts and extroverts. Creates
questions towards the theory
Describe cultural factors to Eyesenck's theory
, Bartol and Holanchock studied African-American and Hispanic offenders who were split into two
groups based on offending history. All groups scored lower on E than non-offenders - may be due to
cultural differences. Can Eyesenck be generalised?
What do cognitive explanations for crime suggest
Criminals have lower levels of moral reasoning or faulty information processing
Who developed the levels of moral development
Kohlberg
Describe the levels of moral development
Pre-morality level - doing what is right based off of fear of being punished
Conventional morality - doing what is right based off off the law
Post-morality - doing what is right based off of whether the law is rightd
Describe the level of morality of a criminal
Pre - conventional stage is seen as more childish and immature making them more likely to commit a
crime if they can get away with it
What is a cognitive distortion
irrational thoughts leading to false assumptions and misinterpretations
What is hostile attribution bias
The tendency to judge ambiguous situations as aggressive or threatening - causing aggressive actions.
Schonenberg and justye found 55 violent offenders were more like to perceive an unemotional face
as angry
What is minimalisation
A type of deception that involves downplaying the significance of an event or emotion. A common
strategy when dealing with feelings of guilt. May involve the use of euphemistic language such as
referring to a burglary is doing a job. This is particularly common among sex offenders in which
barberee showed 94% of rapist used denial
Evaluate, cognitive explanations for offending
Research support, real world application, dependent on the crime
Explain research support for cognitive explanations for offending behaviour
Palmer and Hollin assessed Moral reasoning in 332 male and female non-offenders and 126 convicted
felons using the socio-moral reflection measure short form. They were presented 11 moral dilemma
related questions such as not taking things that belong to others. They found that the offender group
showed less mature moral reasoning 9
Explain how cognitive explanations have real word application
Can be used in therapies to encourage offenders to face up to what they have done to establish a less
distorted view. Denial is associated with reoffending, acceptance leads to rehabilitation. Showing how
the research has practical value
What does Eyesenck's theory suggest about behaviour
Behaviour can be represented along two dimensions. Introversion - extroversion (E), neuroticism -
stability (N)
A third dimension was later added psychotisicm - socialibility (P)
Why does Eyesenck's theory have a biological basis
He believes personality traits are based on the type of nervous system we inherit
Name the 3 personality types according to Eyesenck
Extroverts, Neurotics, Psychotics
Describe what an extrovert may look like
Under active nervous system and a constant need for stimulation (thrill seeking behaviour). Extroverts
are hard to condition as they may not learn from mistakes
Describe what a neurotic may look like
High level of reactivity in SNS, they are quick to flight or fight and may be nervous and jumpy causing
them to seem unpredictable
Describe what a psychotic may look like
High levels of testosterone making them seem unemotional and prone to aggression
What is the criminal personality type
neurotic-extravert-psychotic
Describe the role of socialisation in Eyesenck's theory
Learning delayed gratification can help teach children how to become more socially orientated. They
become less selfish and learn whats right and wrong.
What is the EPQ
Eyesenck's personality questionnaire, a self report questionnaire designed to measure participants
along the three dimensions of
Describe research support of eyesencks theory
Eyesenck and Eyesenck compared 2017 male prisoners with 2422 controls. They found that prisoners
had higher average scores for E, N and P which supports the central theory
Describe the counterpoint to supporting evidence of Eyesenck's theory
Harrington et al conducted a meta analysis and found offenders had higher P but not E or N. similarly
EEG's provided inconsistent evidence for the difference between introverts and extroverts. Creates
questions towards the theory
Describe cultural factors to Eyesenck's theory
, Bartol and Holanchock studied African-American and Hispanic offenders who were split into two
groups based on offending history. All groups scored lower on E than non-offenders - may be due to
cultural differences. Can Eyesenck be generalised?
What do cognitive explanations for crime suggest
Criminals have lower levels of moral reasoning or faulty information processing
Who developed the levels of moral development
Kohlberg
Describe the levels of moral development
Pre-morality level - doing what is right based off of fear of being punished
Conventional morality - doing what is right based off off the law
Post-morality - doing what is right based off of whether the law is rightd
Describe the level of morality of a criminal
Pre - conventional stage is seen as more childish and immature making them more likely to commit a
crime if they can get away with it
What is a cognitive distortion
irrational thoughts leading to false assumptions and misinterpretations
What is hostile attribution bias
The tendency to judge ambiguous situations as aggressive or threatening - causing aggressive actions.
Schonenberg and justye found 55 violent offenders were more like to perceive an unemotional face
as angry
What is minimalisation
A type of deception that involves downplaying the significance of an event or emotion. A common
strategy when dealing with feelings of guilt. May involve the use of euphemistic language such as
referring to a burglary is doing a job. This is particularly common among sex offenders in which
barberee showed 94% of rapist used denial
Evaluate, cognitive explanations for offending
Research support, real world application, dependent on the crime
Explain research support for cognitive explanations for offending behaviour
Palmer and Hollin assessed Moral reasoning in 332 male and female non-offenders and 126 convicted
felons using the socio-moral reflection measure short form. They were presented 11 moral dilemma
related questions such as not taking things that belong to others. They found that the offender group
showed less mature moral reasoning 9
Explain how cognitive explanations have real word application
Can be used in therapies to encourage offenders to face up to what they have done to establish a less
distorted view. Denial is associated with reoffending, acceptance leads to rehabilitation. Showing how
the research has practical value
