Criminal Personality Theory Research (OCR GCSE Psychology): Revision Note

Criminal personality core study: Heaven (1996)

Background

• Previous research suggested that personality traits such as psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism are linked to criminal and antisocial behaviour

• Most earlier studies were cross-sectional, so they could not determine whether personality traits predicted future delinquency

• Heaven (1996) conducted a longitudinal study to test whether these traits—and self-esteem—could predict self-reported delinquency over two years

• He also aimed to test Eysenck’s claim that psychoticism is the main personality trait linked to criminal behaviour

Hypothesis

• Measures of psychoticism, extraversion, and self-esteem would be significant predictors of self-reported delinquency

Method

• Type of study:

  • Longitudinal study using self-report questionnaires

• Sample:

  • 282 students (146 females, 136 males)

  • From two Catholic independent schools in New South Wales, Australia

  • Aged 13–15 years at the start of the study, average age 14 years

  • The same students were followed up two years later

  • 80% remained in the study at follow-up

• Materials:

  • Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ): measuring only psychoticism and extraversion

  • A self-esteem scale: 10 items assessing how individuals viewed themselves

  • A delinquency questionnaire measured antisocial acts (e.g. interpersonal violence, vandalism) using a four-point rating scale (Never to Often)

• Procedure:

  • All participants completed the three questionnaires in class under supervision

  • They were assured of confidentiality and that their responses would not be shared with teachers or parents

  • Two years later, participants completed the same questionnaires again

  • Data from both time points were compared to assess correlations and changes between personality and delinquency over time

Results

• Gender differences:

  • Males scored higher than females on delinquency at both time points

• Correlations:

  • Psychoticism showed a positive correlation with delinquency at both time points

  • Extraversion showed a weak correlation with delinquency, and only at the second time point

  • Self-esteem showed a small negative correlation with delinquency

Conclusions

• The findings supported Eysenck’s theory that psychoticism is the main personality trait associated with delinquency

• Psychoticism was the strongest and most consistent predictor of delinquent behaviour across both testing periods

• Extraversion and self-esteem were less influential but still related to antisocial tendencies

• Personality traits remained fairly stable across the two years, showing that personality may predict future behaviour

• However, other social and situational factors (e.g. peer influence, family background and upbringing) likely influence whether a person becomes delinquent

Criticisms

• Sample bias and generalisability

  • The sample came from two Catholic private schools, limiting representativeness

  • Results may not generalise to students from different backgrounds, other countries, or non-religious schools

• Possible attrition bias

  • Around 20% of participants dropped out, possibly those already engaging in delinquency or low self-esteem, who did not want to report it

  • This affects the overall validity of the results

• Self-report issues

  • Responses may have been affected by social desirability bias, as participants might have under-reported delinquent acts or over-reported self-esteem

  • Some may also have lacked self-awareness about their true behaviour or personality

• Use of closed questions

  • Questionnaires used rating scales and closed questions, limiting depth and reducing construct validity

  • Complex traits such as personality and delinquency may not be fully captured through simple quantitative measures

• Cultural and age limitations

  • The study only examined delinquency between ages 14 and 16, when antisocial behaviour is often temporary and part of adolescence

  • Results may not apply to adult offenders or younger children