Eysenck's Personality Analysis

Eysenck extracted three super factors associated with personality. His three personality dimensions are extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. He regarded these three factors as part of the normal personality structure (Fiest et al., 2013, p. 405). Extraversion is one of the three super factors identified by Eysenck and consisting of two opposite poles-extraversion and introversion. Extraverts are characterized behaviorally by sociability and impulsiveness and physiologically by a low level of cortical arousal. They are likable, quick-witted, optimistic, and have other traits that are indicative of people who are rewarded for their association with others. Introverts, by contrast, are characterized by unsociability and caution

Introverts can be described as quite, passive, unsociable, careful, reserved, thoughtful, pessimistic, peaceful, sober, and controlled. According to Eysenck, the principle differences between the two are not behavioral, but rather biological and genetic in nature. He believed that the primary cause of the differences is one of cortical arousal level, which is a physiological condition that is largely inherited rather than learned. Because extraverts have a lower level of cortical arousal, they have higher sensory thresholds and thus lesser reaction to sensory stimulation. Introverts are the opposite, high levels of cortical arousal, and low sensory thresholds thus they have a greater reaction to sensory stimulation. Introverts avoid situations that will cause too much excitement such as wild social events, skydiving, competitive sports, or playing practical jokes. The extravert will participate in activities such as mountain biking, driving too fast, and drinking alcohol (Fiest et

High P scores indicate hostility, self-centeredness, suspicion, and nonconformity. People low on the psychoticism tends to be altruistic, highly socialized, caring, cooperative, conforming, and conventional. Eysenck hypothesized that people high on psychoticism have a high predisposition to succumb to stress and develop a psychotic disorder. People with low P scores are not necessarily vulnerable to stress-related psychoses and will resist a psychotic break even in periods of extreme stress (Fiest et al., 2013, p. 409-10). I feel as though I have traits that fall under both introvert and extravert. I am a social person and love to be surrounded by my family and friends. I think I present myself as likable, optimistic, adventurous, and out-going. But, I also possess qualities of an introvert. If I am in a social setting where I might not know a lot of the people there I can come across as quiet and reserved. I just need some time to soak in the setting and feel people out before I put myself out there. I would also consider myself a peaceful, balanced, and thoughtful