His research interests were broad, but he is perhaps best known for his theories of personality and intelligence.
He later added a third dimension known as psychoticism.
Eysenck was a hugely influential figure in psychology.
At the time of his death in 1997, he was the most-frequently cited psychologist in scientific journals.
Despite his influence, Eysneck was also a controversial figure.
Learn more about his life and influence on psychology in this brief biography.
After his parents divorced when he was only two, he was raised almost entirely by his grandmother.
His antipathy toward Hitler and the Nazis led him to leave Germany for England when he was 18.
Because of his German citizenship, he found it difficult to find work in England.
Career
During World War II, Eysenck worked as a research psychologist at Mill Hill Emergency Hospital.
He served as Professor Emeritus at the school until his death in 1997.
He was also an extremely prolific writer.
Over the course of his career, Eysenck published more than 75 books and over 1,600journal articles.
Prior to his death, he was the most frequently cited living psychologist.
He was also a vocal critic of psychoanalysis, dismissing it as unscientific.
While Hans Eysenck was certainly controversial, his wide-ranging research had a major influence on psychology.
Selected Publications
Eysenck, H. J.
(1947).Dimensions of Personality.New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Eysenck, H. J.
The effects of psychotherapy: An evaluation.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 16(5), 319-324.
Eysenck, H. J.
(1979).The Structure and Measurement of Intelligence.New York: Springer-Verlag.
(1985).Decline and Fall of the Freudian Empire.Washington, D.C.: Scott-Townsend Publishers.
Soliemanifar O, Soleymanifar A, Afrisham R.Relationship between personality and biological reactivity to stress: A review.Psychiatry Investigation.
Eysenck, HJ.The IQ Argument: Race, Intelligence, and Education.New York: Library Press; 1971.
Eysenck, Hans Jurgen.
In: Kazdin AE, ed.Encyclopedia of Psychology.Vol 3.
Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2000:310-311.
Schatzman M. Obituary: Professor Hans Eysenck.The Independent.Published September 8, 1997.
