SENSATION SEEKING AND EYSENCK PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS IN AN OFFENDER SAMPLE

In numerous studies criminality and psychopathy have been interlinked with Psychoticism (P), Extraversion (E), Neuroticism (N) and sensation seeking. Links between sensation seeking and P, E or N have also been of interest. To clarify these relationships, Eysenck's 101-item personality questionnaire (EPQ) and Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS, Form V) were presented to a sample of 343 males, aged 21-53 yr, and to 86 prison inmates of the same age. Offenders scored higher on the P, N and Lie scales and lower on E than the men in the larger sample. Scores on the SSS were also higher for offenders, apart from the Thrill and Adventure Seeking scale. No significant correlations between the EPQ and SS scales came through in the offender sample. The MMPI Psychopathy and Hypomania and CPI Socialization scales showed interesting correlations with both the EPQ and SS scales. All in all, the results were in line with the previous findings. The percentage of inmates belonging to the high and low PEN groups differed, however, from the results obtained previously. © 1990.