Eysenck proposed a theory of personality based on biological factors, arguing that individuals inherit a type of nervous system that affects their ability to learn and adapt to the environment.
During the 1940s, Eysenck was working at the Maudsley
psychiatric hospital in London. His job was to make an initial assessment of
each patient before their mental disorder was diagnosed by a psychiatrist.
Through this position, he compiled a battery of questions
about behavior, which he later applied to 700 soldiers who were being treated
for neurotic disorders at the hospital.
He found that the soldiers” answers seemed to link naturally
with one another, suggesting that there were a number of different personality
traits which were being revealed by the soldier’s answers. He called these
first-order personality traits
He used a technique called factor analysis. This technique
reduces behavior to a number of factors which can be grouped together under
separate headings, called dimensions.
Eysenck found that their behavior could be represented by
two dimensions: Introversion / Extroversion (E); Neuroticism / Stability (N).
Eysenck called these second-order personality traits.
Each aspect of personality (extraversion, neuroticism and
psychoticism) can be traced back to a different biological cause. Personality
is dependent on the balance between the excitation and inhibition process of
the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
Extraversion/Introversion
- Extraverts are
sociable and crave excitement and change, and thus can become bored
easily. They tend to be carefree, optimistic, and impulsive.
- They
are more likely to take risks and be thrill seekers. Eysenck argues that
this is because they inherit an under aroused nervous system and so seek
stimulation to restore the level of optimum stimulation.
- Introverts lie
at the other end of this scale, being quiet and reserved. They are already
over-aroused and shun sensation and stimulation.
- Introverts
are reserved, plan their actions and control their emotions. They tend to
be serious, reliable, and pessimistic.
Neuroticism/Stability
A person’s level of neuroticism is determined by
the reactivity of their sympathetic nervous system. A stable person’s
nervous system will generally be less reactive to stressful situations,
remaining calm and level headed.
Someone high in neuroticism on the other hand will be much
more unstable, and prone to overreacting to stimuli and may be quick to worry,
anger or fear.
They are overly emotional and find it difficult to calm down
once upset. Neurotic individuals have an ANS that responds quickly to stress.
Psychoticism/normality
Eysenck later, in 1966, added a third trait (dimension)
called psychoticism, characterized by lacking of empathy, being cruel, being a
loner, aggressive and troublesome.
This has been related to high levels of testosterone. The
higher the testosterone, the higher the level of psychoticism, with low levels
related to more normal balanced behavior.
He was especially interested in the characteristics of
people whom he considered to have achieved their potential as individuals.
According to Eysenck, the two dimensions of neuroticism
(stable vs. unstable) and introversion-extroversion combine to form a variety
of personality characteristics.
Critical Evaluation
Eysenck’s Personality Theory has been a subject of extensive
research and evaluation, with several strengths and weaknesses identified.
Strengths:
- Empirical
Support: Eysenck's theory has been supported by several empirical studies,
suggesting that the three dimensions of personality that he proposed are
reliable and valid measures of personality.
- Clear
and Concise: Eysenck’s theory is easy to understand and apply, with its
focus on just three dimensions making it less complex than other
personality theories.
- Practical
Application: Eysenck's theory has been used to predict and explain various
aspects of human behavior, such as academic performance, mental health,
and occupational success.
Weaknesses:
- Limited
Dimensions: Critics argue that Eysenck's theory fails to account for the
complexity of human personality, as it reduces it to just three
dimensions. Some studies suggest that there may be additional dimensions,
such as agreeableness and conscientiousness, that are important in
understanding personality.
- Overemphasis
on Genetics: Eysenck's theory places significant emphasis on genetics in
determining personality, with environmental factors seen as having a
limited impact. However, research suggests that both genetic and
environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping personality.
- Cultural
Bias: Eysenck's theory was developed and tested primarily in Western
cultures, raising concerns about its generalizability to other cultures.
It has been suggested that some of the dimensions may be more or less
relevant in different cultural contexts.
- Lack
of Nuance: Eysenck's theory does not account for the complexity and
uniqueness of individuals' personalities. It treats individuals as if they
fall into clear-cut categories, rather than recognizing the many shades of
grey that exist between these categories.
In conclusion, while Eysenck's Personality Theory has
several strengths, it also has some significant limitations. Its emphasis on
genetics and limited dimensions have been criticized, and its applicability
across different cultures has been questioned. However, it remains a prominent
and influential theory in the field of personality psychology.
Biological Basis of Eysenck's Personality Theory
The biological basis of personality is the collection of
brain systems and mechanisms that underlie our differences in behavior and
temperament. It includes everything from our genes to the structure of our
brains to the chemicals that regulate our moods. Researchers are just beginning
to understand the complex interplay of biology and the environment that shapes
our personalities. Nevertheless, there is evidence that biology plays a
significant role in who we are and how we behave. In this article, we will
explore the evidence for the biological basis of personality and what it means
for our understanding of ourselves.
- ARAS
(Ascending Reticular Activation System) is responsible for bodily arousals
such as mood, motivation and attention, and such arousal is highly seen in
introverts than extroverts. Apart from ARAS, Cortical Excitation and
Inhibition in the frontal cortex exhibits great response in introverts.
- Hypothalamus
and limbic system, which is responsible for the emotional reaction, is
hyperactive for people with neurotic traits and lower in emotionally
stable people. Along with this, ANS (Automatic Nervous System) regulates
flight or fight response in the body and is highly responsible for stress
reactions in neurotic personalities.
Applicability Areas
Eysenck's Personality Theory has several practical
applications in various fields, including clinical psychology, education, and
occupational psychology. Here are a few examples:
- Clinical
Psychology: Eysenck's theory has been used to diagnose and treat various
mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The theory
suggests that individuals high in neuroticism may be more prone to these
conditions, and treatments can be tailored to address these specific
personality traits.
- Education:
Eysenck's theory has been used to understand student learning and academic
achievement. For example, research has shown that students high in
extraversion tend to perform better in group work and social learning
environments, while those high in introversion may perform better in
solitary learning environments.
- Occupational
Psychology: Eysenck's theory has been used to predict job performance and
career success. Research has shown that individuals high in extraversion
tend to be more successful in sales and other customer-facing roles, while
those low in neuroticism tend to be more effective in high-pressure
occupations such as emergency services.
- Counseling
and Coaching: Eysenck's theory has been used to help individuals
understand their personality traits and make positive changes. For
example, individuals who are high in neuroticism may benefit from
strategies such as mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy to reduce
anxiety and improve emotional stability.
Overall, Eysenck's Personality Theory has numerous practical
applications, and its three dimensions can be used to understand and improve
various aspects of human behavior and functioning. However, it should be used
in conjunction with other personality theories and assessments to provide a
more comprehensive understanding of an individual's personality.
Sources and Additional Information:
https://simplypsychology.org/personality-theories.html
https://exploringyourmind.com/eysencks-personality-theory/
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/eysenck-s-personality-theory
