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In a recent study (Center, Jackson, & Kemp, 2004) researchers sought to examine Eysenck’s antisocial behavior hypothesis that people who score high on the P (Psychoticism), E (Extraversion), and N (Neuroticism) scales as well as having low scores on the L (Lie) scale would be at high risk for developing antisocial behavior. The authors used the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (JEPQ) (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1975) to predict antisocial behavior in young teenagers in public schools.
The E scale measures Extraversion vs. Introversion. The typical extravert is sociable, likes parties, needs to have people to talk to and does not like reading or studying alone and may be a more impulsive individual. The typical introvert is a quiet, introspective person and is fond of books rather than people; is reserved and distant except to intimate friends and tends to plan ahead rather than be impulsive. The N scale is a measure of neuroticism. The typical high N scorer is anxious, moody, and frequently depressed and overly emotional. The P scale measures psychotism or toughmindedness and the typical high P scorer is often lacking in feeling and empathy and is insensitive and often aggressive even to loved ones. The researchers also hypothesized that antisocial students would have a low score on the L (Lie) scale, reasoning that a high score would indicate “impression management:” whereas a low score would reflect indifference to social expectations.
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Potential participants were pooled from several school districts in a large metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. Ninety-four actual participants were selected from an original group of 763. This group of 94 was further divided into two groups. One group consisted of students who were considered high risk for anti-social behavior and the other consisted of those who were considered low risk. These two groups of participants were selected based on Eysenck’s theory of antisocial behavior, as mentioned previously, with those scoring high on the P, E, and N scales and a low score on the L scale were thought to be at high risk for antisocial behavior.
Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Version 11.0). An ANOVA was used to determine if the two groups selected were significantly different from one another relative to their personality profiles. The differences between the groups were statistically significant for P, E, N, and L.
The results of this study demonstrate the usefulness of personality trait scores in predicting antisocial behavior. The authors of this study note that past studies on antisocial behavior in children using Eysenck’s theory included participants either with known behavior problems or with assessments indicating behavior problems. This study is different in that the authors did not know anything about the children’s background before being selected for the study and were selected based on their personality trait profiles on the JEPQ.
The researchers concluded that more studies need to look at the relationship of personality traits to the development of antisocial behavior and more importantly, “If at-risk profiles permit good prediction, studies are needed that compare the effects of early preventive programming with the natural course of events to determine if identification and preventive treatment significantly improve outcomes.”
Reference
Center, D. B., Jackson, N. E., & Kemp, D. (2005). A test of Eysenck’s antisocial behavior hypothesis employing 11-15 year-old students dichotomous for P, E, N, and L. Personality and Individual Differences, 38, 395-402. |
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