Personality Theory Blog

Personality Theory Blog

Eysenck's Personality Theory

Eysenck's personality theory is based on types and traits that are considered to be the foundation of a personality's characteristics (Mund & Behera, 2012). Eysenck's theoretical model is an alternative model to the Five-Factor Model and is often referred to as the Even Bigger Three or EB3 (Center & Kemp, 2002). This theory includes three major factors that help define human personality, which are listed as follows: Extroversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism (Mund & Behera, 2012). 

• Extroversion: This characterizes individuals with high levels of socialization, fun, and enthusiasm for life (Mund & Behera, 2012).
• Neuroticism: This characterizes all individuals. It can be seen in individuals who are nervous and anxious as well as individuals that are calm and at ease (Mund & Behera, 2012).
• Psychoticism: This characterizes individuals who are unsocial, aggressive, stubborn, and impulsive as well as individuals that are creative and possess a vision of their future (Mund & Behera, 2012).

Conducting assessment based on this theory is found in The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) (Center & Kemp, 2002). The EPQ does not measure psychopathology, but instead it measures temperament-based personality traits (Center & Kemp, 2002). It is important to note that the EPQ is not a diagnostic instrument (Center & Kemp, 2002). The Extroversion trait is measured on a bipolar scale, with peaks at sociability and stimulation-seeking and with lows at stimulation avoidance and unsociability (Center & Kemp, 2002). For example, extroverts would have a high level of Extroversion trait and introverts would have a low level of Extroversion trait. The Neuroticism trait is also measured on a bipolar scale, with peaks at emotional instability and spontaneity and lows at emotional stability and lack of spontaneity (Center & Kemp, 2002). For example, an individual who is emotionally sensitive and unstable will have a high level of Neuroticism trait and an individual who is not emotionally sensitive and stable will have a low level of Neuroticism trait. The Psychoticism trait is also measured on a bipolar scale with peaks at aggressiveness and lack of caution and lows at empathy and caution (Center & Kemp, 2002). The Psychoticism trait is the trait with the most direct connection to psychotic illnesses such as: Conduct Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Schizotypal Personalities (Center & Kemp, 2002).

Personality Assessment Practices

While it is vital to remember that Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire cannot diagnose an illness, it is remarkable to learn that some of the characteristics or traits identified from the EPQ can lead to the eventual diagnosis of several psychotic illnesses, including Schizophrenia. I did not know this prior to learning about Eysenck's Theory.  It was also equally incredible to learn that Eysenck was able to find the relationship of the personality of a person to the functioning of their autonomic system (Mund & Behera, 2012). In fact, Eysenck found that personality is dependent on the balance or lack of balance between excitability and inhibition process of the nervous system (Mund & Behera, 2012).

Current Research Trends

There was recent research done with male offenders that studied whether the Five-Factor Model or Eysenck's Theory may better help prove the likelihood of criminality in an individual (Ireland & Ireland, 2011). The male prisoners, in two random samples, were given the International Personality Item Pool, while in their cells (Ireland & Ireland, 2011). The study resulted in showing that the Five-Factor Model, however a modified version, was a better indicator of criminality (Ireland & Ireland, 2011). "Eysenck's personality theory is considered by many a grounding theory of antisocial behaviour. It postulates that individuals inherit predispositions to behave in a certain manner, with genetic factors serving to promote behaviour and environmental factors having some influence, but not significantly so. Within this theory, E (Extroversion) is considered elevated within prisoner samples because of inherent cortical under arousal and a consequent need for stimulation, and N (Neuroticism) is elevated becuase of a heightened emotional drive. Each of these is based on learning theory, underpinned by a poorly 'conditioned' central nervous system and an over-reactive autonomic nervous system" (Ireland & Ireland, 2011).

Q & A

• What other factors must be considered for diagnosis of psychotic illness?
• Based on the research, it was clear that the EPQ could not diagnose an individual with a psychotic illness. It showed that it only could show a relationship between the findings of the EPQ and those who were ultimately diagnosed, by a medical professional, with a psychotic illness. 
• How does the Autonomous Nervous System effect personality?
• For more information regarding this please read the following lecture given in March 2001: http://www.thinkbody.co.uk/papers/autonomic-nervous-system.htm
• The lecture thoroughly explains the Autonomous Nervous System and it's relationship with the rest of body and individual.
• How can I measure my personality using the EPQ?
• Click on the link here to measure your personality using the EPQ: http://similarminds.com/eysenck.html

References:

Carroll, R. (2001). Thinking Through the Body. The Autonomic Nervous System: Barometer of Emotional Intensity and Internal Conflict. Retrieved on November 23, 2014, from: www.scholar.google.com: http://www.thinkbody.co.uk/papers/autonomic-nervous-system.htm

Center, D. & Kemp, D. (2002). International Journal of Disability, Development, and Education. Antisocial Behavior in Children and Eysenck's Theory of Personality: an evaluation. Retrieved on November 23, 2014, from: www.ecampus.phoenix.edu: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=1de16222-6788-475e-958d-985c12a8b187%40sessionmgr198&vid=10&hid=110

Ireland, J. & Ireland, C. (2011). Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health. Personality structure among prisoners: How valid is the five-factor model and can it offer support for Eysenck's theory of criminality? Retrieved on November 23, 2014, from: www.ecampus.phoenix.edu: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=005ff258-28f8-4b59-afb4-ae09b45124dd%40sessionmgr115&vid=9&hid=110

McLeod, S. (2014). Simply Psychology. Theories of Personality. Retrieved on November 23, 2014, from: www.simplypsychology.org: http://www.simplypsychology.org/personality-theories.html.

McLeod, S. (2014). Simply Psychology. Theories of Personality. Retrieved on November 23, 2014, from: www.simplypsychology.org: http://similarminds.com/eysenck.html.

Mund, T. & Behera, A. (2012). International Journal of Social Sciences and Education. Understanding the Theories of Personality: A Step Towards Being Effective in Communication Skills. Retrieved on November 23, 2014, from: www.ecampus.phoenix.edu: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=1de16222-6788-475e-958d-985c12a8b187%40sessionmgr198&vid=7&hid=110