Psychopathic Personality Traits Terminological Considerations

Abstract

l'sykopatanstalterne i Herstedvester) , which has recentlyv celebrated its tenth anniversary, piAovides exceptional material for the study of psychopathy. A considerable number of psychopaths ;ire here brought together it1 conditions that make detailed observation possible. The universal scope of this material is, however, limited, for i t consists entirely of criminals and these only niak,' but even with this limitation there are enough to repay study, and this rich field of work ought not to be left untilled. The present w0i.k may be considered as a modest contribution towards this goal.The name "Asylum for Psychopathic Criminals" (henceforth cnllecl "the Asylum") evokes the idea t h a t the inmates are all psychopaths, and that consequently, if oue is admitted to the Asyluni one is, ips0 facto, a psychopath. And this is an idea that is found not only among laymen but also among the authorities, among even the inmates themselves. This last, moreover, does not always pvoduce the inost fortunate results, for the inniates excuse themselves by pleading that they are psychopaths and frequently avail themselves of this doubtful plw Since niny 1945 fernale psychopaths have also been detained in a separate ward of the Asylum, hut their nurnher i s negligible.