Describe one theory of personality as an explanation of crime and anti-social behaviour. - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 8 - 2022 - Paper 2

Eysenck proposed that personality traits, influenced by biological factors, could predispose individuals towards criminal or anti-social behavior. According to his model, one significant aspect is the role of the reticular activating system (RAS).

Extroverts tend to have lower levels of arousal, which means they may seek external stimulation to reach an optimal level of arousal. This need for increased stimulation may lead extroverted individuals to engage in anti-social behaviors as a means of increasing their arousal levels.

Furthermore, Eysenck noted that the sympathetic system of the autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role. If this system is more active for longer periods, it may lead to impulsive actions that could be categorized as anti-social or criminal. Hence, Eysenck’s theory highlights a clear relationship between personality traits and tendencies toward crime.