Mind Profile Slides Criminal Mindset
Exploring Hans Eysenck's Criminal Personality Theory
The Core Theory
Nature & Nurture
Eysenck mixed behaviorism, biology, and personality to explain criminality.
He argued that crime isn't inherited directly, but certain inherited characteristics make criminal behavior more likely.
Behavioral Control
1. Conditioning Traits and behavioral characteristics people learn from environment.
2. Inherited Biological factors and genetic predispositions.
The Four Factors
Ability
Innate intelligence that every individual possesses at birth.
Extraversion
Energy levels directed outward; manifests as impulsive sociability.
Neuroticism
Associated with depression, anxiety, and other negative psychological states.
Psychoticism
Aggressive, impersonal, impulsive behavior; lacking empathy for others.
Predicting Criminality
"While ability is important, the other three factors are the most critical predictors of crime."
Neurotic Extraverts
High stimulation needs
Rapid nervous system response
Higher tendency for crime
Psychotic Extraverts
Cruel and unemotional
Insensitive to others
High criminal behavior tendency
A Mixed Legacy
Most of Eysenck’s work has since been rejected by modern psychology, yet his influence on the field of criminology remains a key point of historical study.
Mind Profile Worksheet Mind Profile Lab
Eysenck's Personality Theory
Agent:
Date:
Theoretical Foundation
Eysenck’s theory explains criminality by mixing three fields:
Field 01
Field 02
Field 03
Control of behavior was divided into two categories:
Conditioning:
Inherited:
The Four Factors
Ability
Innate intelligence at birth
Extraversion
Outward energy & sociability
Neuroticism
Negative psychological states
Psychoticism
Aggression & low empathy
Psychology Lab Page 1 of 2
Criminal Personality Profiles
Neurotic Extraverts
Psychotic Extraverts
Reflection
Distinguish between "Inherited characteristics" making crime likely versus crime being "Inherited" as a trait.
EYS-CPT-001 Page 2 of 2
Mind Profile Key Answer Key
MIND PROFILE LAB • TEACHER REFERENCE
1. Theoretical Foundation
Behaviorism
Biology
Personality
Conditioning: Personality traits and behavioral characteristics learned from the environment.
Inherited: Traits and characteristics that are genetic/biological.
2. The Four Higher-Order Factors
Ability:
Innate intelligence everyone has at birth.
Extraversion:
Energy directed outward; impulsive sociability.
Neuroticism:
Negative psychological states (anxiety, depression).
Psychoticism:
Aggression, low empathy, impulsivity.
3. Criminal Personality Types
Neurotic Extraverts
High stimulation needs
Fast nervous system response
Likely to engage in crime
Psychotic Extraverts
Cruel and insensitive
Unemotional/Lacking empathy
Likely to engage in crime
Note to Instructor
Focus on the distinction between biological predisposition and behavioral inheritance. Eysenck was influential in mixing these fields, even though most of his specific results were later rejected.
