Assessing psychopathic attributes in a noninstitutionalized population.

Abstract

The present study examined antisocial dispositions in 487 university students. Primary and secondary psychopathy scales were developed to assess a protopsychopathic interpersonal philosophy. An antisocial action scale also was developed for purposes of validation. The primary, secondary, and antisocial action scales were correlated with each other and with boredom susceptibility and disinhibition but not with experience seeking and thrill and adventure seeking. Secondary psychopathy was associated with trait anxiety. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the strongest predictors of antisocial action were disinhibition, primary psychopathy, secondary psychopathy, and sex, whereas thrill and adventure seeking was a negative predictor. This argues against a singular behavioral inhibition system mediating both antisocial and risk-taking behavior. These findings are also consistent with the view that psychopathy is a continuous dimension.

Personality factors and psychopathy, alexithymia and stress

“…Furthermore, the present study shows that the personality predictors of psychopathy and alexithymia and their sub factors differ. This result is consistent with the findings and conclusions of others that psychopathy and alexithymia are independent (Frick et al, 2000;Hare, 1994;Levenson et al, 1995;Lilienfeld and Andrews, 1996), and their sub domains are distinct (Deary et al, 1997;Ross et al, 2004).…”

“…In the present study, differences in the prevalence of traits related to D1 were found; males had a higher tendency to lie, to have lack of remorse, and to engage in manipulative behavior. The finding that males' psychopathy scores are higher than females is consistent with previous work including research based on samples from nonclinical populations (Levenson et al, 1995;Forth et al, 1996).…”

“…In the present study, Cronbach's alphas were a = 0.86 for Neuroticism, a = 0.78 for Extraversion, a = 0.73 for Openness, a = 0.81 for Agreeableness and a = 0.87 for Conscientiousness. (Levenson et al, 1995) The LSRP is a 26-item measure, developed to assess psychopathic attitudes and beliefs. The primary psychopathy subscale consists of 16 items measuring an inclination to lie, lack of remorse, callousness, and manipulativeness.…”

Initial development of an implicit and explicit approach to assess psychopathy

“…Cooke et al, 2004;Hare, 1991Hare, , 1997Kosson et al, 1997;Levenson et al, 1995;Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996;Lynam et al, 2011;Patrick, 2010). Focus has been on the development of explicit measures with few (e.g.…”

“…These include self-report measures (e.g. Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, Levenson, Kiehl & Fitzpatrick, 1995;Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, Hare, 1985; Psychopathic Personality Inventory, Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996; Elemental Psychopathy Assessment, Lynam et al, 2011;Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, Patrick, 2010), observational approaches (Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy, Kosson, Steuerwald, Forth & Kirkhart, 1997; Psychopathy Q-Sort Prototype, Reise & Oliver, 1994), and interviews assessing dynamic change and incorporating staff ratings (Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality [CAPP], Cooke, Hart, Logan & Michie, 2004). All have focused on explicit assessment, including assessment of explicit behaviour (i.e.…”