The 20 Best Phrases by Hans Eysenck

One of the most important and influential psychologists on the subject of personality is Hans Eysenck, a German scientist When he came of age he settled in the United Kingdom, where he became known and became an admired researcher.

His theory of personality which is called the PEN model, continues to be studied today in Psychology courses.

Quotes by Hans Eysenck

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 predictions can be made at both a physiological, psychological and social level.

The three superfactors that Eysenck refers to are: Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E) and Psychoticism (P). The author understands that, combined with each other, they explain 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 events occur.

3. Psychotherapy is the prostitution of friendship

Friendship and psychotherapy do not go hand in hand, since the psychologist would stop being 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

At first, Eysenk I thought that heredity was everything in personality but later it became less radical.

6. There appears 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 his beliefs on interpretations, and discarded direct evidence, but also because very few of the people who now claim to hold his views have bothered to read their original contributions or look at those who criticize them

Eysenck also did not agree with Marx’s ideas, since he is an author with a great sociological base.

8. Science, in the end, is dynamite: there are signs that the effects of the industrial revolution may be dwarfed by those of the psychological revolution

Eysenck, as a psychologist, made it clear with this phrase that understanding the human mind is the most powerful thing.

9. Sigmund Freud was, without a doubt, a genius; not of science, but of propaganda; not of rigorous proof, but of 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 or her unique adaptation to the environment.

Eysenck making clear the relationship that exists between character and adaptation to the environment.

11. Tactics and diplomacy are fine in international relations and politics, perhaps even in business; in science only the facts

The facts are what should explain scientific conclusions.

12. If the truth contradicts deeply held beliefs, something is wrong

A quote that invites us to deep reflection about the relationship between truth and our beliefs

13. Extraverts are characterized by sociability, impulsiveness, disinhibition, vitality, optimism and sharp wit.

Extraversion is one of the traits that are part of Eysenck’s PEN model.

14. As for Freud’s followers, they have created a “climate of opinion” that deviates markedly from what Freud would have approved. However, Freud himself cannot be completely absolved of blame.

Eysenck thought that what made Freud famous are the extravagant 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 facts end and opinions begin.

16. Today’s Marxists often have views exactly opposite to those of Marx and Lenin, as on the question of the inheritance of intelligence

Another criticism 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, did not have very important implications

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 idea essentially of socialism, meant social equality, not biological equality, and emphasized with respect to the latter that it was impossible to achieve.

Eysenck criticizes Marx again, and talks about the difference between social and biological equality

19. There is nothing more terrible than ignorance in action. Believing something on the basis of insufficient evidence is always a mistake, regardless of who 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 as seen by experts; It is the desire of journalists, seen through filters of prejudice and ignorance

Journalists are often influenced by their own opinions.