Eysenck's Trait Theory

Trait Theories:
Eysenck's
Biologically Based
Factor Theory
Outline
• Eysenck's Theory
• Dimensions of Personality
• Research on Eysenck's Ideas
• Critique of Eysenck's Theory
• Comparisons to Other Personality Theories
• Trait Theories in the Filipino Context
Eysenck's Theory
• Eysenck defined personality as a more or less stable and
enduring organization of a person’s character, temperament,
intellect, and physique, which determines his unique
adjustment to the environment.
• His personality theory has strong psychometric and biological
components.
• He recognized a four-level hierarchy of behavior organization.
Hierarchy of Behavior Organization
Dimensions of Personality
• E - Extraversion versus introversion
• N - Neuroticism versus emotional stability
• P - Psychoticism versus superego function
Extraversion
Extraverts vs Introverts
• Eysenck believed that the primary cause of differences between
extraverts and introverts is one of cortical arousal level, a
physiological condition that is largely inherited rather than learned.
• Extraverts have a lower level of cortical arousal than do introverts;
they have higher sensory thresholds and thus lesser reactions to
sensory stimulation.
• Introverts, conversely, are characterized by a higher level of
arousal, and as a result of a lower sensory threshold, they
experience greater reactions to sensory stimulation.
Neuroticism
Neurotic vs Emotionally-stable
• Eysenck accepted the diathesis-stress model of psychiatric
disorders, which suggests that some people are vulnerable to
certain disorders because they have either a genetic or an acquired
weakness that predisposes them to a disorder.
• He assumed that people at the healthy end of the Neuroticism scale
have the capacity to resist a neurotic disorder even in periods of
extreme stress.
• High N scorers, however, may suffer a neurotic reaction as a result
of only a minimal level of stress.
Psychoticism
Psychoticism vs Superego Function
• Eysenck hypothesized that people high on psychoticism have a
high “predisposition to succumb to stress and develop a psychotic
illness”
• During periods of little stress, high P scorers may function
normally, but when high psychoticism interacts with high levels of
stress, people become vulnerable to psychotic disorders.
• By contrast, people with low P scores are not necessarily
vulnerable to stress-related psychoses and will resist a psychotic
break even in periods of extreme stress
Research on Eysenck’s Ideas
• Extraverts experience more pleasant emotions
• Extraverts have lower base levels of cortical arousal
• Neurotics have low self-esteem and high guilt feelings
• Neurotics function well in fast-paced, stressful jobs
• Psychotics can be cruel, hostile, and insensitive
• Psychotics have more problems with alcohol and drug abuse
• Psychotics are aggressive, antisocial, and egocentric
• All three personality dimensions are determined primarily by
heredity
Critique of Eysenck's Theory
• Ability to generate research: very high

• Can be falsified: moderate to high
• Ability to organize knowledge: high
• Can guide the actions of practitioners: low
• Internally consistent: low to moderate
• Parsimony: very high
Comparisons to Other Theories: McCrae and Costa's Big Five
Factor
Psychoticism Analysis Agreeableness
Extraversion
Conscientiousness
Neuroticism
Eysenck's E Factor and Jung's Attitudes
Eysenck Jung
• Extraverts prefer the company of other • Extraverted people have an objective or
people and tend to be sociable, impulsive, nonpersonalized view of the world.
adventurous, assertive, and dominant. • Introverts have essentially a subjective or
• Introverts can be described as quiet, individualized way of looking at things.
passive, unsociable, careful, reserved,
thoughtful, pessimistic, peaceful, sober, and
controlled.
Trait Theories in the Filipino Context
• Filipinos use traits in describing or understanding persons and
their behavior.
• The trait terms used by Filipinos are comparable to those used by
persons in other cultures.
• The trait dimensions assessed by imported personality inventories
replicate rather well in the Philippines
• Most of the trait dimensions assessed by indigenous Philippine
personality inventories are not highly culture-specific
Optional: Add a text quote, photo, or video to support your springboard

References
Feist, J., Feist, G., & Roberts, T. (2017). Theories of Personality (9th ed.).
McGraw Hill.
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2016). Theories of Personality (11th ed.).

Cengage Learning.
Ryckman, R. M. (2007). Theories of Personality (9th ed.). Wadsworth

Publishing.
Church, A., & Katigbak, M. S. (2002). Studying Personality Traits Across

Cultures: Philippine Examples. Online Readings in Psychology and
Culture, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.9707/ 2307-0919.1039

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Trait Theories:

• Ability to generate research: very high

Optional: Add a text quote, photo, or video to support your springboard

Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2016). Theories of Personality (11th ed.).

Ryckman, R. M. (2007). Theories of Personality (9th ed.). Wadsworth

Church, A., & Katigbak, M. S. (2002). Studying Personality Traits Across

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