Psychopathic and Nonpsychopathic Violent Offenders on the Rorschach: Discriminative Features and Comparisons With Schizophrenic Inpatient and University Student Samples

Abstract

We examined discriminant and convergent validity of theoretically relevant Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) variables (Exner, 2003) and Meloy and Gacono's (1992) aggression variables in distinguishing between imprisoned violent offenders (VO) who were psychopathic (P-VO) and nonpsychopathic (NP-VO) under psychiatric treatment, schizophrenic inpatients (ISs), and university students (USs). A total of 7 of 12 variables discriminated significantly between P-VO and NP-VO, which suggests more aggressive, cognitive, and interpersonal disturbances among P-VO. We also found significant differences between VOs, ISs, and USs. Logistic regression analyses revealed that AgPast accumulated incrementally in the classification of P-VO versus NP-VO, and AgC accumulated incrementally in the classification of VO versus IS when entered after CS variables. The findings support the view that psychopathy is a distinctive form of antisocial personality disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) organized at a more severe pathological level.

Self-Protective Strategies, Violence and Psychopathy: Theory and a Case Study

“…Meloy (e.g., 1994, 2009), in particular, have shown that the Rorschach can be uniquely useful for identifying more subtle dynamics of psychopathy, uncovering characteristics such as chronic anger, distorted perception and cognition, diminished reality testing, and absence of anxiety and discomfort. These features were also evident in a more recent Rorschach study of violent and psychopathic individuals (Hartmann, Nørbech, & Grønnerød, 2006). Moreover, Gacono and Meloy (1994) offered a tentative Rorschach psychopathic profile using the Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 2003).…”

“…Eric was interviewed as part of a study by Hartmann et al, (2006). He gave informed consent to participate in this study, and identifying features of his case have been masked to protect his confidentiality.…”

Assessment of substance abusers on the MCMI‐III and the Rorschach

“…The IS sample was identical with a comparison sample used in a study by Hartmann et al (2006) and consisted of Rorschach protocols from schizophrenic inpatients collected at three different psychiatric hospitals in Oslo.…”

“…The Rorschach Inkblot Method ( RIM; Exner, 2003; Rorschach, 1942) introduces the individual to problem solving tasks in an unfamiliar situation. The CS Rorschach variables used in this study were selected on the basis of standard clinical interpretations and empirical findings that made it reasonable to anticipate the identification of disturbed perception and cognition, disturbed interpersonal functioning, and disturbed affect regulation and control (see, e.g., Exner, 2003; Hartmann et al ., 2006; Weiner, 1998). To prevent chance findings arising from comparing multiple comparisons (Weiner, 1995), we restricted the RIM variables to eight.…”

“…The RIM seems to be sensitive to disturbances in these mechanisms, whereas such disturbances are not so easily assessed by self‐report methods since the individual may be unaware of or does not want to reveal them Although self‐report tests give first‐hand information about thoughts, feelings, and behavior that the individual is consciously aware of and willing to expose, many patients protect their self‐image and conscious experience from emotional distress by using various defense mechanisms. In these cases, patients may not consciously recognize troubling thoughts and affects, even though these cognitive and emotional states are still part of their underlying psychological experience (Bornstein, 2001; Hartmann, Nørbech & Grønnerød, 2006; Meyer & Archer, 2001; Shedler, Mayman & Manis, 1993; Stricker & Gold, 1999). Ganellen (1994) has, for example, shown that RIM protocols of pilots under treatment for drug abuse revealed emotional stress, self‐critical ideation, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships, whereas corresponding information was not reported on the MMPI.…”