Crime and Personality (Psychology Revivals) - Classic Study

In this review of Crime and Personality (Psychology Revivals) the reviewer finds a compact, historically important text for readers interested in the intersection of personality theory and criminal behaviour. Originally published in 1964 and revised in 1977, this edition preserves H. J. Eysenck's central theory linking personality and crime while updating details to reflect research of the time. It is recommended for readers seeking a clear, theory-driven account of genetic and personality influences on criminality rather than a modern textbook of criminology.

Key Features

• Theory-driven analysis: The book lays out Eysenck's central theory linking specific personality traits to criminal behaviour, providing a coherent framework for readers to follow.
• Historical revisions: This third edition was completely revised in 1977, so the text reflects updates and research findings that followed the original 1964 publication.
• Focus on genetic foundations: The author presents evidence and argumentation suggesting that personality features associated with criminality have genetic roots, which encourages debate and further study.
• Concise scholarly presentation: The book delivers its arguments in a concentrated format, making it suitable for scholars and students seeking a focused statement of Eysenck's views.
• Scholarly reception noted: Contemporary reviews, such as the New Statesman comment, underline the book's importance in discussions of nature and treatment of criminal behaviour, providing context for its influence.

Who It's For

Crime and Personality is best suited to students of psychology, criminology, and personality theory who want a primary-source account of Eysenck's arguments and a historical perspective on debates about nature versus nurture in criminal behaviour. It is also useful for academics tracing the development of personality-based explanations for offending.

Readers looking for a modern, empirically updated textbook with recent neuroscience, longitudinal datasets, or contemporary interventions should look elsewhere; this edition reflects the scholarship and debates current up to the 1970s rather than current practice guidelines.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear presentation of a single influential theory makes it easy to follow Eysenck's central argument about personality and crime.
• The revised third edition updates material from the original 1964 publication, so readers get later research and corrections of earlier details.
• Concise format suits classroom reading and seminar discussion without excessive padding.

Cons

• The book reflects scholarship up to the 1970s and does not include contemporary empirical work or current methodological advances.

Specifications

Title	Crime and Personality (Psychology Revivals)
Author	H. J. Eysenck
Original publication	1964 (revised edition 1977)
Edition	Third edition, revised and updated
Subject focus	Personality theory and criminal behaviour
Key argument	Personality features linked to criminality have genetic foundations

Our Verdict

Crime and Personality remains a valuable historical and theoretical resource for readers who want a clear statement of Eysenck's personality-based explanation of criminal behaviour. It represents good value for students and researchers exploring the history of criminological theory, though those needing current empirical updates should supplement it with newer literature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the original book by Eysenck?
This edition is a revised third edition originally published in 1964 and updated in 1977 to reflect later research of that period.

Does the book argue for environment or genetics?
Eysenck argues that personality features characterising criminals have genetic foundations, while noting that crime is not exclusively environmental.

Who should read this book?
Students and researchers in psychology and criminology seeking a theory-focused, historical perspective on personality and criminal behaviour will benefit most.