Using Eysencks Theory in Describing Personality - Assignment Example

Using Eysenck’s Theory In Describing My Personality Affiliation Using Eysenck’s Theory In Describing My Personality Theory Description Eysenck’s theory is  primarily based on genetics and physiology.  Although Eysenck is a behaviorist who ponders learned behaviors as of great significance, he deliberates personality variances as rising out of our genetic heritage.  He is, hence, mainly concerned in what is frequently referred to as temperament (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). Eysencks research established two main scopes of temperament that is extraversion-introversion and neuroticism (Eysenck, 1997). Neuroticism The name Eysenck proposed for the dimension that varies from normal/ordinary, fairly calm and kind of collected persons to the one’s that tend to be sort of “nervous” is Neuroticism (Eysenck, 1997). His study exhibited that these “nervous individuals” inclined to experience more often a variety of “nervous disorders” called neuroses, therefore the given name of that specific dimension (Eysenck, 1997). But he was not dictating that all the people who eventually score high on the neuroticism gauge are essentially neurotics but only that they tend to be more susceptible to the known neurotic problems. This dimension is found in everyone (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). Extraversion-introversion His subsequent dimension is referred to as extraversion-introversion. By this term he means Shy ad extremely quiet people “versus” out-going, joyful ad loud people. This dimension is found in everyone, but compared to the other dimension; the physiological justification is a little more complex (Eysenck, 1997). He theorized that the extraversion-introversion dimension is as a complication of the steadiness of “excitation” and “inhibition” in the brain of the individuals (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008).  Excitation refers to when the brain wakes itself up, gets into an alert ad finally into learning state (Eysenck, 1997). Inhibition refers to when the brain calms itself down, either in the typical sense of relaxing and entering to sleep, or in the sense of guarding itself in the circumstance of tremendous stimulation ((Eysenck, 1997, Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). Neuroticism and extraversion-introversion One More thing Eysenck looked into was the synergy of those two dimensions in addition to what that might suggest in respect to various psychological predicaments (Eysenck, 1997). He found, for instance, that people with phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder directed to be considerably introverted, while people with dissociative disorders (such as amnesia) or conversion disarrays (such as hysterical paralysis) tended to be more extraverted (Eysenck, 1997, Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008)). His description was: “Highly neuroticistic individuals tend to over-respond to appalling stimuli while if they are of the introvert dimension, they will acquire the trait to try ad avoid the conditions that cause panic very swiftly and very systematically (Eysenck, 1997), even to the point of becoming frightened at the smallest symbols of those circumstances. They develop phobias which that stay with them. Other introverts may learn particular activities that tend to hold off their fright, such as, checking on things numerous times or washing their hands over ad over again (Eysenck, 1997). On the other hand, highly neuroticistic extraverts tend to be good at disregarding and overlooking the things that devastate them (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). They involve themselves in the classic justification mechanisms, such as repression and denial (Eysenck, 1997). For example, they can suitably overlook an agonizing weekend or even “neglect” their capability to feel and use their limbs (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). Psychoticism Eysenck came to identify that, though he was usually using large populations for his study, there were some people he was not selecting (Eysenck, 1997). He began to take his research into mental institutions located in England. When the multitudes of data gathered were analyzed, a third noteworthy aspect emerged, which he labeled as psychoticism (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). Just like neuroticism, having high psychoticism doesn’t mean you are literary psychotic or will become so but only that you display some assets usually found among psychotics (Eysenck, 1997), and that you might be supplementary vulnerable, given certain environments, to turning psychotic (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). My Personality I am a man in my mid 20s living with my father. I usually get physically and psychologically abused by my father. On several occasions I have left home, which I find relieving, but I always returns. After leaving I mostly turn up socially isolated and I always find myself with economic problems. I also fear what her dad might end up doing to me, given what I have seen happening to others in the situation in other families. Also, when I do end up decisively return home I am showered with love for a while (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). However, the same abuse gradually begins again and I am left in a dilemma of not knowing whether to leave or stay, and I always feel like the situation is out of my control . I am overwhelmed by my feelings as I love my father so much and I try to cover up these acts by pretending that I do not really care, and in the event when I am asked y my friends why I keep returning I shrug them away ad say that its Because my father could not cope on his own’. I have always been shy and quiet, which has made it difficult for me to form friendships in the first place (Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). Interpretation according to Eysenck’s theory Introverted personality: I am Susceptible to shyness & loneliness. This is true since those LOW on extroversion (introverts) are (Eysenck, 1997): Less sociable Quiet Introspective individuals Directed towards inner reality Like to live a well ordered life Application based on Eysenck’s theory Addressing underlying causes (eg. managing shyness) Environmental matching Psychoticism Psychological conflict Desire to stay/leave Unconscious fears/desires Defence; rationalization Application based on theory Making conflict conscious, allowing rational decision making Theory Limitations According to my personality I am introverted ad also Psychoticism. One might ask these questions: How do we know if this is the right interpretation? How much of this interpretation is theory-driven or subjectively biased? LIMITATIONS OF EYSENCK’S THEORY Eysenck’s theory, though tremendously popular, has nonetheless been criticized due to its disappointment in producing concrete evidence that extroverts and introverts condition differently ((Gray, 1981, Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). There have also been criticisms in the practicality of a mannerism tactic theory to personality, some proposing that personality behaviors are not a good forecaster of future actions ((Gray, 1981, Boyle, Matthews & Saklofske, 2008). Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) was criticized by Heim (1990). She strongly stated that no and yes questions can not conceivably be detailed enough to even initiate to comprehend the many diverse traits of personality (Gray, 1981) Many psychologists would argue that Eysenck’s theory is too unsophisticated that is, it covers a complex thing (personality) down to a mere four categories (Gray, 1981). Eysenck in his theory considers personality to be is genetic a failure to consider that it may change over time due to influence by other people or the environment (Gray, 1981). The theory’s assessment relies mainly on the honesty ad reliability of the participant when responding to the questions (Gray, 1981). The answers they might have give may have been greatly influenced by the mood they were in or the state that he might have put them in while asking the questions (Gray, 1981). Refereces Boyle, G., Matthews, G., & Saklofske, D. (2008). The SAGE handbook of personality theory and assessment (1st ed.). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications. Eysenck, M. (1997). Anxiety and cognition (1st ed.). Hove, East Sussex, UK: Psychology Press. Gray, J. (1981). A critique of Eysenck’s theory of personality. Springer, 246--276. Read More