Personality and Crime, Lecture 3 PDF

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Summary

Temperament, key terms, Eysenck 1947, Buss and Plomin 1984, personality disorders, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer...

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Personality and Crime – Nature of personality:  Personality refers to the set of traits and behaviours that characterises a person  Personality has both internal and external elements  It is inherited and shaped by an individual’s environment  Personality of an individual is relatively stable in nature  It can develop over the years as a result of experience and past schemas Temperament – Can be defined as the genetic component of personality. It’s the inherited part of a personality and describes the way an individual respond to an environment. Buss and Plomin (1984) – Aim: to test the idea that temperament is innate Method: 228 pairs of MZ twins and 172 pairs of DZ twins Results: there was a closer correlation between the scores of the MZ twins than the DZ twins Conclusion: temperament has a genetic basis Eysenck (1947) – Aim: investigate the personality of 700 servicemen Method: each soldier completed a questionnaire using yes/no answers Results: he identified two dimensions of personality: extroversion – introversion and neuroticism – stability Conclusion: everyone can be placed along the two dimensions. Most individuals lie in the middle

Key Terms –  Type theory – personality types are said to be inherited. They can be described using related traits  Extroversion – a personality trait that describes individuals who seek the outside world for entertainment  Introversion – personality trait that describes individuals who are content and satisfied with their own company Ted Bundy – Nothing was disturbing about his personality. He was described as kind and empathetic. Jeffrey Dahmer – Suffered alcoholism, anti-social personality disorder and OCD. Personality disorders are usually identified in individuals who commit violent crimes, there are many different types of personality disorders, including the following:

 Anti-social personality disorder – characterised in adults. They tend to disregard others feelings, they do not conform to social norms, can be reckless and aggressive, can appear to be callous and cynical. Usually individuals with APD are impulsive and deceitful.  Borderline personality disorder – individuals with BPD will have mood instability, be impulsive, struggle with drug/alcohol abuse and have distorted thinking patterns.  Schizoid personality disorder – Criminals prefer to be alone and avoid forming close relationships. Individuals with this disorder are emotionally cold, have little interest in sex and a low amount of pleasure from life. They tend to live alone.  Histrionic personality disorder – Criminals with this disorder may want to be centre of attention, flirt, be dramatic, overemotional and be influenced easily by other people. They seek the approval of others.  Narcissistic personality disorder – Fragile self-esteem, think that they are more deserving than other people, be jealous of others successful and are selfish. Individuals often take advantage of others.  Dependent personality disorder – criminals feel needy, unable to function without support off others, try to fit in, have low self-esteem, are passive and submissive.  Law enforcement expects that sexual violence and violent offenders usually display characteristics of borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder....