The 20 best phrases of Hans Eysenck
One of the most important and influential psychologists on the subject of personality is Hans Eysenck, a scientist of German origin that when he came of age he settled in the United Kingdom, where he made himself known and became an admired researcher.
His theory of personality, which receives the name of the PEN model, continues to be studied today in the degrees of Psychology.
- Related article: "Eysenck's Personality Theory: The PEN Model”
Hans Eysenck Quotes
Admired by some and criticized by others, this researcher has left many quotes for history; in this article you can find a compilation of the best phrases of Hans Eysenck. You can find them below.
1. The three types or superfactors are sufficient to describe the personality adequately, since from these it is possible to make predictions both at a physiological, psychological and social level.
The three superfactors Eysenck refers to are: Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E), and Psychoticism (P). The author understands that, combined with each other, they explain the human personality.
2. The social problems that arise arise from the facts, not from the investigations of these facts
Social psychology only makes sense in the environment in which the events occur.
3. Psychotherapy is the prostitution of friendship
Friendship and psychotherapy do not go hand in hand, since the psychologist would cease to be objective.
4. What is new in your theories is not true, and what is true in your theories is not new.
A play on words in which the author makes it clear that he did not agree with the ideas of Sigmund Freud.
5. Personality is largely determined by genes
In the beginning, Eysenk thought that heredity was everything in personality, but later it became less radical.
6. There seems to be a negative correlation between recovery and psychotherapy; the more psychotherapy, the lower the recovery rate
Too much psychotherapy is no more effective than less psychotherapy but of higher quality.
7. Marx's influence has been quite similar to Freud's, not only because he based all of his beliefs on interpretations, and discarded direct evidence, but also because very few of the people who now claim to hold to their views have bothered to read their original contributions or look at those who they criticize
Eysenck also did not agree with Marx's ideas, since he is an author with a great sociological basis.
- Related article: "Karl Marx: biography of this philosopher and sociologist"
8. Science, in the end, is dynamite: there are signs that the effects of the industrial revolution may be small next to those of the psychological revolution
Eysenck, as a psychologist, made it clear with this phrase that understanding the human mind is the most powerful.
9. Sigmund Freud was undoubtedly a genius; not from science, but from propaganda; not from rigorous testing, but from persuasion
Again, a phrase that makes it clear that Eysenck openly criticized Freudian ideas.
10. It is the more or less stable and lasting organization of a person's character, temperament, intellect and physique, which determines his unique adaptation to the environment.
Eysenck making clear the relationship between character and adaptation to the environment.
11. Tactics and diplomacy are fine in international and political relations, perhaps even in business; in science only the facts
The facts are what should explain the scientific conclusions.
12. If the truth contradicts deeply held beliefs, something is wrong
An appointment that invites us to deep reflection about the relationship between the truth and our beliefs.
13. Extraverts are characterized by sociability, impulsiveness, disinhibition, vitality, optimism, and sharp wit
Extraversion is one of the features that are part of Eysenck's PEN model.
14. As for Freud's followers, they have created a "climate of opinion," which deviates markedly from what Freud would have approved of. However, Freud himself cannot be completely absolved of guilt.
Eysenck thought that what has made Freud famous are the outlandish ideas of his theory.
15. I always felt that a scientist owes the world only one thing, which is the truth as he sees it.
To a greater or lesser extent, our opinion may influence scientific conclusions. That is why this problem must be minimized by making it clear where the facts end and where the opinions begin.
16. Today's Marxists tend to have views exactly opposite to those of Marx and Lenin, as on the question of the inheritance of intelligence.
Another critique of Marxist theory and socialism.
17. It would be very peculiar if a very general mental capacity that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, understand complexities, learn quickly, and benefit from experience, would not have very significant implications important
Another of Eysenck's phrases that basically deal with the intelligence and adaptability of human beings.
18. Both Marx and Lenin were quite explicit about their belief that "equality," as an essentially idea of the socialism, meant social equality, not biological equality, and they emphasized with respect to the latter that it was impossible reach her
Eysenck again criticizes Marx, and talks about the difference between social and biological equality.
19. There is nothing more terrible than ignorance in action. Believing a thing on the basis of insufficient evidence is always a mistake, everywhere, whoever it is. People who believe in absurdities will commit atrocities
Many times we can believe certain things without even having proven their authenticity.
20. What is read in the newspapers, heard on the radio and seen on television, is not even the truth seen by the experts; is the desire of journalists, seen through filters of prejudice and ignorance
Journalists are often influenced by their own opinions.