Dimensions of Personality
Eysenck presented a hierarchal structure of behavior organization including the
superfactors in the fourth level.
He extracted three general superfactors, namely extraversion (E), neuroticism (N), and
psychoticism (P).
Neuroticism and psychoticism are not limited to pathological individuals, although
disturbed people tend to score higher than normal people on scales measuring these
two factors.
These superfactors are bipolar, with extraversion being at one end of Factor E and
introversion occupying the opposite pole. Similarly, Factor N includes neuroticism at
one pole and stability at the other, and Factor P has psychoticism at one pole and the
superego function at the other.
Eysenck contended that each of these factors meets his four criteria for identifying
personality dimensions.
First, strong psychometric evidence exists for each, especially Factors E and N.
The P factor (psychoticism) emerged later in Eysenck’s work but was not taken
seriously by other researchers until the mid-1990s
Second, Eysenck (1994a, 1994b) argued that a strong biological base exists for
each of his three superfactors.
Third, Eysenck’s three personality dimensions make sense theoretically.
Fourth, Eysenck repeatedly demonstrated that his three factors relate to such
social issues as drug use, sexual behaviors, criminality, preventing cancer and
heart disease, and creativity.
Extraversion
Extraverts are characterized primarily by sociability and impulsiveness but also by
jocularity, liveliness, quick-wittedness, optimism, and other traits indicative of people
who are rewarded for their association with others.
Meanwhile, introverts are characterized by traits opposite those of extroverts.
Eysenck believed that the primary cause of differences between extroverts and
introverts is the cortical arousal level.
Extraverts have a lower level of cortical arousal than do introverts, they have higher
sensory thresholds and thus lesser reactions to sensory stimulation.
Introverts are characterized by a higher level of arousal, and because of a lower sensory
threshold, they experience greater reactions to sensory stimulation.
In addition, extroverts are most likely will engage in sexual intercourse earlier with a
wider range of partners, in a greater number of positions, with a larger variety of sexual
behaviors, and will indulge in longer precoital love play. Because of this, they can
Eysenck presented a hierarchal structure of behavior organization including the
superfactors in the fourth level.
He extracted three general superfactors, namely extraversion (E), neuroticism (N), and
psychoticism (P).
Neuroticism and psychoticism are not limited to pathological individuals, although
disturbed people tend to score higher than normal people on scales measuring these
two factors.
These superfactors are bipolar, with extraversion being at one end of Factor E and
introversion occupying the opposite pole. Similarly, Factor N includes neuroticism at
one pole and stability at the other, and Factor P has psychoticism at one pole and the
superego function at the other.
Eysenck contended that each of these factors meets his four criteria for identifying
personality dimensions.
First, strong psychometric evidence exists for each, especially Factors E and N.
The P factor (psychoticism) emerged later in Eysenck’s work but was not taken
seriously by other researchers until the mid-1990s
Second, Eysenck (1994a, 1994b) argued that a strong biological base exists for
each of his three superfactors.
Third, Eysenck’s three personality dimensions make sense theoretically.
Fourth, Eysenck repeatedly demonstrated that his three factors relate to such
social issues as drug use, sexual behaviors, criminality, preventing cancer and
heart disease, and creativity.
Extraversion
Extraverts are characterized primarily by sociability and impulsiveness but also by
jocularity, liveliness, quick-wittedness, optimism, and other traits indicative of people
who are rewarded for their association with others.
Meanwhile, introverts are characterized by traits opposite those of extroverts.
Eysenck believed that the primary cause of differences between extroverts and
introverts is the cortical arousal level.
Extraverts have a lower level of cortical arousal than do introverts, they have higher
sensory thresholds and thus lesser reactions to sensory stimulation.
Introverts are characterized by a higher level of arousal, and because of a lower sensory
threshold, they experience greater reactions to sensory stimulation.
In addition, extroverts are most likely will engage in sexual intercourse earlier with a
wider range of partners, in a greater number of positions, with a larger variety of sexual
behaviors, and will indulge in longer precoital love play. Because of this, they can
