Integrating Alternative Conceptions of Psychopathic Personality: A Latent Variable Model of Triarchic Psychopathy Constructs

Abstract

This study undertook confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) of data from 567 participants to quantify constructs specified by the triarchic model of psychopathy (Patrick, Fowles, & Krueger, 2009)-boldness, meanness, and disinhibition-as latent variables. Indicators for the CFAs consisted of subscales of the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure along with triarchic scales derived from items of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory, Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory, and Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. A modified three-factor model provided good fit to the data and outperformed alternative two- and one-factor models. Multiple-group CFAs demonstrated gender differences (male > female) in factor means and covariances, but not in factor loadings or intercepts. These findings support the idea that the triarchic model dimensions are embedded in differing models and measures of psychopathy and comprise essential building blocks for this clinical condition. Implications for understanding the structure of psychopathy, gender differences in psychopathic traits, and applications of latent variable modeling in future research are discussed.

The relationships between triarchic psychopathic traits and value orientations in men and women

“…In accordance with previous findings (e.g. Drislane & Patrick, 2016), Meanness showed moderate correlation with Boldness and Disinhibition (rs = .24 and .52, p <0.01), while Boldness and Disinhibition were not significantly correlated (r = -.11, p> 0.01). To compare men and women in the mean level of psychopathic traits and values, a one-way MANOVA was used.…”

“…TriPM Boldness and Meanness were significantly higher in men as compared to women, while there were no gender differences in the Disinhibition level, in line with previous studies (e.g. Drislane & Patrick, 2016). With respect to value orientations, women reported higher self-realization values and lower hedonistic values, in accordance with previous research showing that men exhibited higher hedonistic and lower relativistic sexual values than females (Abraham & Rahardjo, 2015), and similar to research which reported higher achievement, power and stimulation in men, and higher universalism (e.g., social justice, equality), and benevolence (e.g., helpfulness, loyalty) in women (Kajonius et al, 2015).…”

“…Substantial research has accumulated in support of the construct validity and reliability of the TriPM, (e.g. Sellbom & Phillips, 2013;Drislane et al, 2014;Drislane & Patrick, 2016), including the Croatian version (Sokić & Ljubin, 2014). In the current study, alpha coefficients for Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition scores were .78, .84, and .81 respectively, being highly similar to the alphas found in North American college students (cf.…”

“…Sica et al, 2015;Poy et al, 2014), and showed that men had higher levels of meanness and boldness components of psychopathy (Drislane & Patrick, 2016). Also, there is the scarcity of studies on the moderating effect of gender (Sellbom, Donnelly, Rock, Phillips, & BenPorath, 2016), while there is no study reporting on the gender as a potentially moderator variable in the psychopathy-value relationship.…”

“…Meanness includes callous disregard for others, lack of empathy, lack of close personal relationships, aggressive competitiveness and strategic exploitation of others for gain (Patrick et al, 2009;Drislane & Patrick, 2016). Given that both conventional and self-realization values include constructive attitude towards others and the society as a whole, with conventional values including harmonious and honest life and helping others, and self-realization values including positive close and intimate relationships, we expect that meanness would be negatively related to both conventional and self-realization values.…”