General Problem
On Personality
Specific Problem
To assess the personality of the subject by using Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire – Revised (EPQ-R) designed by
Prof. Hans Eysenck.
Basic Concept
The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire is based on tried and tested principles, the result of research by renowned
Professor Hans Eysenck, and described in his book 'Know Your Own Personality' (1972). It evaluates personality
through three dimensions—Psychoticism, Extraversion, and Neuroticism—plus a Lie Scale. These are based on
biological and psychological theories involving arousal, emotional stability, and impulsivity.
He had a clear understanding of how introversion and extroversion, combined with the degree of emotional stability
and self determinism, determine the personality traits that result in much of an individual behaviour.
Psychoticism:
Psychoticism is associated not only with the liability to have a psychotic episode, but also with aggression. Psychotic
behaviour is rooted in the characteristics of tough mindedness, non conformity, inconsideration, recklessness,
hostility, anger and impulsiveness. The physiological basis suggested by Eysenck for psychoticism is testosterone, with
higher levels of psychoticism associated with higher level of testosterone.
Neuroticism:
It represents an individual's emotional stability and their tendency to experience negative emotional states. While not
a diagnosis of mental illness, neuroticism indicates the degree to which a person is emotionally reactive, vulnerable to
stress, and prone to psychological distress.
At its core, neuroticism reflects how people experience and manage internal emotional conflicts, especially in
response to environmental demands. Individuals who score high on this scale tend to exhibit emotional instability.
They may often feel anxious, moody, irritable, insecure, or self-conscious. Their emotions may shift quickly and
intensely, especially in response to minor stressors. These individuals are more likely to interpret everyday events as
threatening or overwhelming and may struggle to regulate their responses effectively. As a result, they can become
easily upset, and their capacity to return to a baseline emotional state may be delayed.
Extroversion:
Extroversion, as measured in the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire – Revised (EPQ-R), is one of the central
dimensions in Eysenck’s biologically rooted model of personality. It captures the degree to which an individual is
outgoing, sociable, energetic, and oriented toward the external world.
Individuals scoring high on extroversion tend to be cheerful, spontaneous, and full of life. They often enjoy being the
center of attention, find it easy to initiate conversations, and are more likely to thrive in environments that involve
active interaction, such as parties, teams, or leadership roles. They are often seen as assertive and confident,
sometimes bordering on impulsive, because of their quick decisions and eagerness to engage with new experiences.
Their mood is typically more positive, and they are energized by being around people.
Conversely, individuals scoring low on this scale—introverts—tend to prefer solitude, quiet environments, and
deeper, more meaningful social interactions over frequent or casual ones. They are more self-contained, often more
reflective, and may appear reserved or shy, though this does not necessarily indicate social anxiety. For introverts,
overstimulating environments can be exhausting, and they often need time alone to recharge.
Lie Score:
The Lie Scale in the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire – Revised (EPQ-R) is used to assess the truthfulness and social
desirability of a person's responses. It helps detect whether a respondent is trying to present themselves in an overly
positive light, also known as "faking good." The items on this scale are designed in a way that agreeing with too many
of them suggests the person may not be answering honestly or may be overly concerned with appearing perfect.
A moderate score indicates honest and balanced responses, while a high score suggests that the test-taker might be
suppressing negative traits or exaggerating positive ones. In such cases, the validity of other scores on the test (like
Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism) may be questioned. The Lie Scale ensures that the personality profile
obtained is genuine and reliable.
Subject Preliminaries
Name of the subject:
Age of the subject:
Mental & physical condition of the subject:
Date of the study:
Time of the study:
Materials Required
1. Manual EPQ - R
2. EPQ-R Questionnaire & scoring key
3. Pen/Pencil
4. Stopwatch or Watch
Description of the Test/Tool
The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire – Revised (EPQ-R) is a standardized psychological tool developed by Hans and
Sybil Eysenck to assess key dimensions of personality. It consists of 90 yes/no type items and measures four scales:
Extraversion (E)
Neuroticism (N)
Psychoticism (P)
Lie Scale (L)
The test is self-administered and suitable for individuals aged 16 and above. It takes around 20–30 minutes to
complete. The responses are scored manually, and raw scores are converted into sten scores using a normative table.
The EPQ-R is widely used in personality research, counselling, and clinical settings to understand behavioural
tendencies and emotional patterns.
Instruction
Instructions printed on the test booklet are read out by the administrator. The subject is instructed to respond with
'Yes' or 'No' by marking an (X) in the relevant box for each of the 90 items. The inventory is self-administered and
takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. There are no right or wrong answers.
Scoring
The test is scored manually. Each response corresponds to a numerical value per the scoring key. Raw scores are
obtained for each scale and converted to sten scores using norms.
Page no P E N L
Total
Psychoticism (P)
Extraversion (E)
Neuroticism (N)
Lie Scale (L)
Result :
P E N L
Raw Score
Sten Score
Interpretation High/Low/Modarate H/L/M H/L/M H/L/M
Interpretation
Psychoticism: Score of ……… indicates high levels. The subject may display tendencies such as aggression, lack of
empathy, impulsivity, and a tendency toward disruptive behavior.
OR
Score of …….. indicates modarate levels. The subject may display tendencies such as independence, non-conformity,
or assertiveness, but without severe antisocial or aggressive tendencies. Individuals with moderate Psychoticism may
be practical, emotionally self-sufficient, and somewhat unconventional in their thinking. They are likely to question
rules or norms but not to the extent of being rebellious or disruptive.
OR
Score of …… indicates low level of [Link] subject may display empathetic, cooperative, kind, and socially
responsible. Individuals with low Psychoticism tend to follow rules, value harmony, and are considerate toward
others. They are emotionally warm, non-aggressive, and tend to avoid conflict or risk-taking behaviours.
Extraversion:
Score of ……… indicates high extraversion. Subject may be outgoing, sociable, talkative, energetic, and assertive. They
enjoy group activities, seek excitement, and feel comfortable in social situations. They tend to be cheerful, expressive,
and may act impulsively at times.
OR
Score of ……… indicates moderate extraversion. It indicates a balanced personality, showing both social engagement
and the ability to enjoy solitude. Such individuals are friendly and approachable but also capable of being quiet,
reflective, and self-contained when needed.
OR
Score of ………. indicates low extraversion. Those with low extraversion prefer solitude, quiet environments, and
meaningful one-on-one interactions. They may appear reserved or introspective and typically avoid over stimulation
or large social gatherings. They are more self-reflective and emotionally restrained.
Neuroticism:
Score of …… indicates high neuroticism. Individuals with high neuroticism are emotionally reactive, anxious, moody,
and easily stressed. They may experience frequent worry, low self-esteem, and have difficulty coping with everyday
stressors.
OR
Score of …… indicates modarate neroticism. A moderate score suggests occasional emotional ups and downs, but
generally good emotional control. Such individuals may react to stress but are usually able to recover and maintain
balance in most situations.
OR
A score of …… suggest low neuroticism. Low scorers are typically emotionally stable, calm, and resilient. They handle
stress well, remain composed under pressure, and are less likely to experience anxiety or mood swings.
Lie Score:
A high score suggests the individual may be trying to present themselves in an overly idealized or socially desirable
way. It may indicate faking good or not responding honestly, which can affect the accuracy of the overall personality
profile.
OR
Moderate Lie Score:
A moderate score is considered normal and acceptable. It indicates that the person has answered the questions with
reasonable honesty while still being aware of social expectations.
OR
Low Lie Score:
A low score suggests the individual has been frank, open, and honest in their responses. It reflects a genuine attempt
to answer truthfully, without concern for appearing perfect or socially acceptable.
For males if the raw score is above 7 in lie score, reject the score & for females if the raw score is above 8 reject the
score.
Conclusion
The EPQ-R helped in evaluating the subject's personality in terms of key psychological traits. It can be concluded that
the subject has high/low/moderate psychoticism, high/low/moderate neuroticism, high/low/moderate extraversion.