Eysenck personality theory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EM19jN5HaI&ab_channel=MisterSimplify

Hans Eysenck carried out research in the 1960s that suggested people can be measured in terms of extrovert-introvert (E) and stable-neurotic (N).

Introversion-Extroversion is based on the level of stimulation we need. This is caused by a brain process known as the Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS)

The job of the ARAS is to maintain an ideal level of alertness.

If the ARAS is under-active, a person does not receive enough stimulation and needs to go looking for it in the environment. These people are extroverts: outgoing and easily bored.

At the other end of the scale are the introverts, whose brains receive too much stimulation; they stay away from crowds and excitement and prefer calm and quiet.

Neuroticism is based on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which enables us to respond to stress.

If the ANS does its job effectively, a person will be stable, with a consistent mood and an ability to learn easily.

If the ANS is inefficient, the person will be neurotic, with changeable moods and difficulty learning from experience.

​Eysenck created a questionnaire to measure E and N. This was the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI).

Eysenck carried out his original research on soldiers suffering from battle-fatigue; he found that the most traumatised soldiers scored high on N and low on E, which is what he predicted.

E ratings have been found to go up when people take alcohol or drugs and N ratings go down when people are treated for stress.

Eysenck (1975) later collaborated with his wife Sybil and they proposed a third dimension called psychotic (P) which is a trait to do with compassion and morality. Psychoticism affects the type of relationships and attitudes you have. High P scores show antisocial traits like selfishness, coldness, hostility and impulsivity. However, they may also show creativity.

Eysenck incorporated questions to measure P into his questionnaire and called it the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). He tested prisoners and found they scored higher for P than non-convicts, as he predicted.