Hans Eysenck

Date of Birth: March 4, 1916

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: September 4, 1997

Biography

Hans Jürgen Eysenck was born in Berlin, Germany, on March 4, 1916. He was a prominent psychologist known for his work in the fields of personality and intelligence. Eysenck’s career in psychology began after he fled Nazi Germany and settled in England, where he earned his PhD from University College London in 1940. Eysenck’s research was groundbreaking, particularly his theories on personality traits and the biological basis of personality. He was a prolific author, publishing more than 75 books and over 1,000 journal articles. His work often sparked controversy, particularly his views on intelligence and the genetic factors contributing to it. Despite the criticism, Eysenck’s contributions to psychology have been widely recognized, and he is considered one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. He passed away in London, England, on September 4, 1997.

5 Interesting Facts about Hans Eysenck

1. Hans Eysenck developed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), which measures personality traits based on three dimensions: extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.

2. He was a founding editor of the journal “Personality and Individual Differences.”

3. Eysenck’s research suggested that genetics played a significant role in determining intelligence, a view that was highly controversial at the time.

4. He published a critical review of psychotherapy in 1952, which concluded that it was no more effective than no treatment at all, sparking significant debate and further research into therapeutic methods.

5. Eysenck was a critic of the psychoanalytic approach and instead advocated for a more scientific and empirical approach to psychology.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hans Eysenck

1. “There is no great genius without some touch of madness.”

2. “The notion that every well-adjusted person is a happy person is a myth.”

3. “Personality is to a large extent inherent, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to change.”

4. “Science is the systematic attempt to create and organize knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.”

5. “The term ‘neurotic’ has been used in so many different ways that it has practically ceased to be a useful theoretical concept.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Hans Eysenck’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, primarily from his extensive publications and academic contributions.

Children

Hans Eysenck had four children. His son, Michael W. Eysenck, followed in his footsteps and became an influential psychologist, known for his work in cognitive psychology and the study of anxiety.