Eysenck's Theory of Criminality

Abstract

Felons in a maximum security institution were administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire to test the validity of Eysenck's theory of criminality on an American population. Comparison with a noncriminal control group found a significant difference in the L-scale, but none for P and N scores. E scores were significantly lower for the criminal group. When the criminal sample was divided according to offense type, differences in P-scale and in neuroticism were also uncovered. When high L-scorers were eliminated from the sample, the criminal group scored higher on the P and N scale, but E scores remained similar to those of the control group. The results raise questions about the Eysenckian theory when applied to American Black and Hispanic prisoners.