Criminal Profile Worksheet
Criminal Profile
Subject: Hans Eysenck's Theory
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Theory Overview
German-British psychologist Hans Eysenck created criminal personality theory to explain criminality by mixing behaviorism, biology, and personality. He suggested that certain inherited characteristics make crime more likely, though crime itself is not an inherited trait.
Eysenck argued behavior was divided into conditioning (learned traits) and inherited (genetic factors). He believed personality depends on four factors: ability, extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.
Ability: Innate intelligence at birth.
Extraversion: High energy levels and impulsivity.
Neuroticism: Anxiety and negative emotional states.
Psychoticism: Aggression and lack of empathy.
While he acknowledged ability was important, Eysenck argued extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism were the most critical predictors of criminal behavior. Specifically, he focused on "neurotic extroverts," who seek high stimulation, and "psychotic extroverts," who lack emotional depth and sensitivity.
Phase 01: Origins
1. Distinguish between Eysenck’s "conditioning" and "inherited" categories of behavior control. How do they differ in origin?
Psychology Unit: Criminology Theories Page 1 of 2
Phase 02: Comparison
2. Eysenck identified two specific personality types as most likely to engage in crime: neurotic extroverts and psychotic extroverts. According to the text, how do these two types differ in their behavior or characteristics?
Phase 03: Critical Predictors
3. Of the four higher-order factors Eysenck defined, which three did he believe were the most critical predictors of criminal behavior? Why did he prioritize these over "ability"?
Psychology Unit: Criminology Theories Page 2 of 2
Criminal Profile Answer Key
Answer Key
Subject: Hans Eysenck's Theory | Teacher Reference
1. Distinguish between Eysenck’s "conditioning" and "inherited" categories of behavior control. How do they differ in origin?
Answer: Inherited behavior control refers to traits and characteristics that are genetic (biological) and present at birth. Conditioning refers to the personality traits and behavioral characteristics that people learn through their environment and experiences.
2. Eysenck identified two specific personality types as most likely to engage in crime: neurotic extroverts and psychotic extroverts. How do these two types differ?
Answer: Neurotic extroverts require high levels of stimulation from their environments and have nervous systems that respond quickly to stimuli. Psychotic extroverts are characterized as being cruel, insensitive to others, and unemotional.
3. Of the four higher-order factors, which three did Eysenck consider the most critical predictors of crime, and why?
Answer: The three critical predictors are extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. While he acknowledged ability (intelligence) was important, he believed the other three factors were more critical for predicting criminal behavior because they directly influenced stimulation needs, emotional stability, and empathy.
Assessment Notes
Full Credit:
Student correctly identifies key terms from the text and provides a complete explanation that reflects the provided passage. Responses should use terms like "genetic," "learned," or "stimulation" correctly.
Partial Credit:
Student identifies the factors or categories but provides a vague or incomplete explanation of their function or origin. Response may lack specific textual evidence.
Psychology Unit: Criminology Theories Resource Ref: HE-CPT-AK
