Psychoticism is one of the threetraits used by the psychologistHans Eysenck in his outdated[1][2] P–E–N (psychoticism,extraversion andneuroticism) model ofpersonality. Psychoticism includes the traits of "aggression, coldness, egocentrism, impulsivity, lack of empathy, tough-mindedness, and being antisocial."[3]
Psychoticism is conceptually similar to theconstraint factor in Tellegen's three-factor model of personality.[4] Psychoticism may be divided into narrower traits such asimpulsivity andsensation-seeking. These may in turn be further subdivided into even more specific traits. For example, impulsivity may be divided into narrow impulsivity (unthinking responsivity), risk taking, non-planning, and liveliness.[4]Sensation seeking has also been analysed into a number of separate facets.
Eysenck argued that there might be a correlation between psychoticism andcreativity.[5]
Critics of the trait have suggested that the trait is too heterogeneous to be taken as a single trait. Costa and McCrae believe thatagreeableness andconscientiousness (both of which represent low levels of psychoticism) need to be distinguished in personality models.[6] It has also been suggested that "psychoticism" may be a misnomer and that "psychopathy" or "Impulsive Unsocialized Sensation Seeking" would be better labels.[4]
Psychoticism is believed to be associated with levels ofdopamine.[7] Other biological correlates of psychoticism include lowconditionability and low levels ofmonoamine oxidase;beta-hydroxylase,cortisol,norepinephrine incerebrospinal fluid also appear relevant to psychoticism level.
Eysenck's theoretical basis for the model was the theory ofEinheitspsychosen (unitary psychosis) of the nineteenth-century German psychiatristHeinrich Neumann.