Eysenckian

Eysenckian refers to anything related to the work and theories of the influential psychologist Hans Eysenck. Eysenck was a prolific researcher known for his psychometric approach to personality, aiming to identify the fundamental dimensions of human character through statistical analysis. His most prominent contribution is the three-factor model of personality, which includes extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.

Extraversion is characterized by sociability, impulsivity, and a tendency towards sensation-seeking. Introversion, its opposite, involves being reserved, thoughtful, and preferring solitude. Neuroticism relates to emotional instability, anxiety, and a predisposition to experience negative emotions. Individuals low in neuroticism are typically calm and emotionally stable. Psychoticism, the third dimension, is associated with traits like aggression, coldness, and impulsivity, and is not to be confused with clinical psychosis, although Eysenck suggested a correlation with such conditions.

Eysenck also applied his theories to areas such as intelligence, personality disorders, and even the effectiveness of psychotherapy. He developed various personality questionnaires, such as the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), to measure these traits. His work has been highly influential, though some aspects, particularly the biological underpinnings of his personality dimensions and the concept of psychoticism, have been subjects of ongoing debate and refinement within the field of psychology.