Name and describe Eysenck's three general types, or superfactors.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A. Eysenck has built his personality theory on measures of types, or superfactors. The superfactors are as follows: extraversion/introversion (E), neuroticism/stability (N), and psychoticism/superego functioning (P). All three 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.

B. Extraverts are sociable, impulsive, lively, quick-witted, and optimistic. They enjoy taking risks and seek other types of excitement, including stimulating social activities. Introverts are quiet, passive, unsociable, careful, reserved, thoughtful, pessimistic, peaceful, and controlled; they have a congenitally low cortical arousal level that keeps them from exciting, dangerous activities.

C. People who score high on neuroticism often have a tendency to overreact emotionally and to have difficulty returning to a normal state after emotional arousal. They frequently complain of physical symptoms such as headache and backache and of vague psychological problems such as worries and anxieties.

D. High P scorers are often egocentric, cold, nonconforming, impulsive, hostile, aggressive, suspicious, psychopathic, and antisocial. People low on psychoticism (in the direction of superego function) tend to be altruistic, highly socialized, empathic, caring, cooperative, conforming, and conventional.

E. According to Eysenck, all three types have a strong genetic component.