How is Personality measured? Unit 1 – Making sense of other people. Topic 3 – Development of personality.

Lesson objectives By the end of the lesson you will be able to; Describe and evaluate Eysencks type theory of personality. Define ‘Extroversion’, ‘introversion’ and ‘neuroticism’. Describe the EPI an EPQ personality scales.

Key words. Type theory – Personality types are thought to be inherited. They can be described using related traits. Extroversion – A personality type that describes people who look to the outside world for entertainment. Introversion – A personality type that describes people who are content with their own company. Neuroticism – A personality type that describes people who are highly emotional and show a quick, intense reaction to fear. Personality scales – Ways of measuring personality using yes/no questions. Psychoticism – A third dimension identifyed by Eysenck. People who score high on this dimension are hostile, aggressive, insensitive and cruel.

Eysenck’s type theory of personality. Eysenck believed that there are different personality types. His theory is therefore described as a ‘Type theory’. For each personality type there are associated traits. The personality types identified include extroversion, introversion and neuroticism. Extroverts look to other people and the outside world for entertainment while introverts are content with their on thoughts and ideas.

Neurotics = Anxious, irritable, tense, shy, and moody Neurotics = Anxious, irritable, tense, shy, and moody. They are lacking in confidence and self esteem. Extroverts = Sociable, lively, easy going. They seem to need to have others around. They have may friends and enjoy parties and practical jokes. Introverts = Spend time alone, They have a small number of very close friends. They are usually serious, organised and like routine.

Eysenck believed that these different personality types were caused by the type of nervous system that the individual inherits. For example, in neurotics, the nervous system reacts quickly and strongly to stress.

Eysenck (1947) Aim – To investigate the personality of 700 servicemen. Method – Each soldier completed a questionnaire. Eysenck analysed the results using a statistical technique known as factor analysis. Results – He identified 2 dimensions of personality: extroversion, introversion and neuroticism-stability. Conclusion – Everyone can be placed along these 2 dimensions of personality. Most people lie in the middle of the scale.

Evaluation His original research used a limited sample to test his ideas (the research was only carried out on servicemen). Since then, however, his findings have been supported by further research carried out on thousands of people. He only described a limited number of personality types. He used questionnaires to test personality. The answers people gave could have been based on their mood at the time. He believed that personality is genetic. This does not consider the idea that personality can change as a result of experience.

Personality Scales. Eysenck developed personality scales in order to measure personality types. The Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). This is designed to measure extroversion-introversion and neuroticism-stability. It’s made up of a series of yes/no questions. The answers given can be used to identify an individuals personality. The 2 dimensions are nor related so the individual can be identified as neurotic extrovert, neurotic introvert, a stable extrovert or a stable introvert. The Eynsenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). This is used to measure extroversion, introversion and neuroticism. A further dimension added to this scale known as psychoticism. Most people score low on this dimension, but those with high score are hostile, aggressive, insensitive, cruel and lacking feeling. The 3 dimensions are not linked. This means that the individual is given separate scores for the 3.

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