fei75766_ch14_435-462.indd 459  02/06/20 01:10 PM
Chapter 14    Eysenck’s Biologically Based Factor Theory459
Key Terms and Concepts
•Eysenck usedahypothetico-deductive approach toextract three bipolar 
factors —extraversion/introversion, neuroticism/stability, andpsychoticism/
superego.
•Extraverts arecharacterized bysociability andimpulsiveness; introverts, by
passivity andthoughtfulness.
•High scores ontheneuroticism scale mayindicate anxiety, hysteria, 
obsessive–compulsive disorders, orcriminality; lowscores tendtopredict 
emotional stability.
•High scores onpsychoticism indicate hostility, self-centeredness, suspicion, 
nonconformity, andantisocial behavior; lowscores indicate astrong 
superego, empathy, andcooperation.
•Eysenck insisted that,tobeuseful, personality must predict behavior, andhe
presented ample evidence tosupport histhree-factor theory.
•Thethree main dimensions ofpersonality arebiologically based as
evidenced from temperament, behavioral genetics, andbrain research.
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