Eysenck

Hans Eysenck was born on March 4, 1916 in Berlin. His mother was an actress, and his father was a nightclub entertainer. With the rise of Nazi power in Germany, Eysenck moved to England in 1934 to attend University College in London. He received his PhD in 1940 while working at the college in the psychology department. Eysenck developed the concept of neuroticism, arguing that it was a biological form of emotional instability. He often argued that much of personality is genetically determined. He argued against psychoanalysis, claiming that it was unscientific. Instead, he favored a behavioral approach to therapy. His theory of personality compares two central factors, extraversion (E) and neuroticism (N), from which four basic personality types flow. His personality types are based on Hippocrates's personality formulation:

·        High N, High E results in a choleric personality—an assertive, leader-like person.

·        High N, Low E results in a melancholic personality—a cautious and introverted type.

·        Low N, High E results in a sanguine personality—the sociable and charismatic type.

·        Low N, Low E results in a phlegmatic personality—a consistent, calm person.

Eysenck often had many controversial views on the nature of intelligence, arguing that intelligence was at least partially genetic and those different racial groups had different levels of intelligence. These views remained controversial for his entire life, and he was once punched in the nose by a protester while giving a lecture.