The welfare trait: Hans Eysenck, personality and social issues

Abstract

Inspired by Hans Eysenck's belief that personality research can provide insights on societal problems, this article summarises a theory -the Welfare Trait -which attempts to explain the tendency of the welfare state to erode work motivation. This theory stems from the discovery that exposure to disadvantage during childhood promotes the development of employmentresistant personality characteristics. If true, this discovery matters because it means a welfare state which sets up perverse incentives that cause extra children to be born into disadvantaged households may harm the prospects of the nation by shifting its personality profile towards greater employment-resistance. Although still in need of more refined data, the Welfare Trait theory conforms to Hans Eysenck's belief that psychology in general, and personality psychology in particular, is germane to addressing important issues of widespread social impact.However, as in Eysenck's time, discussion of such 'controversial' issues leads to severe criticism and personal vilification, facilitated today by the ease of communication via social media (e.g., Twitter).

The Hans Eysenck affair: Time to correct the scientific record

“…Here, Eysenck is lauded as a 'Great Scientist' (Strelau, 2016), 'British psychology's most visible researcher and most influential disciplinary voice' (Buchanan, 2016) and being 'so far ahead of his time' (Gottfredson, 2016). Eysenck's contributions are said to include 'several major conceptual and methodological paradigms for the study of the impact of psychological, genetic, and life-style factors on physical health' (Kreitler, 2016), 'continue to shape current personality research' (Revelle, 2016), include 'a theory -the Welfare Trait -which attempts to explain the tendency of the welfare state to erode work motivation' (Perkins, 2016) and the conclusion that 'the observed variability in IQ scores is genetically determined to a high degree (80% heritability) and that, in consequence, the Black-White IQ gap in the US is due predominantly to genetic factors' (Colman, 2016). That Eysenck's erroneous claims exist within current scientific literature and receive glowing praise from reputable sources is damaging to Psychology, science and medicine, and can be harmful to patients and the general public who may be offered false hope and ineffective therapies as a consequence.…”