Paper: Psychopathy

Are there sex differences regarding psychopathy? If yes, which ones?

Big difference in antisocial & delinquent behaviors & aggression between psychopathological women & men

• women: inflict psychological harm

• men: inflict physical harm

Difference in manipulation

• women: manifested through flirtatious & sexual behaviour

• men: manifested through conning behaviour

• → psychopathological women exhibit less delinquency, but more sexually promiscuous behaviour

Which 3 dimensions does the 3-factor conceptualization of psychopathy include?

1) Behavioral dimension

2) Affective dimension

3) Interpersonal dimension

Which kind of behaviour is less relevant for female psychopathology & which dimension does this fall under?

Interpersonal dimension: antisocial behaviour less crucial for female psychopathology

Recent finding: what does the untreatable psychopath entail? What makes them untreatable?

Many forms of psychotherapy don’t have successful results on these psychopaths

Psychopaths willing to cooperate in treatment & patients with higher PCL-R score → higher chance on recidivism

Why do psychopaths who cooperate in treatment have a higher chance on recidivism than the ones who don’t cooperate?

Cooperative psychopaths might come to new insights in treatment to manipulate people even more

Why is there therapeutic pessimism when it comes to psychopathy (3 reasons)?

1) Disorder has an unclear etiology → hard to create treatment

2) Patients lack illness insight → don’t seek help

3) They’re resistant against external influence

What are successful treatments for psychopathy focused on?

Cognitive & affective problems of psychopathy

Treatment for psychopaths are based on the RNR principle. Which 3 basic principles does this entail?

Risk profile

• evaluate risk of person with high levels of psychopathy who has already committed criminal acts

• low, moderate or high risk of relapse

Reduce criminogenic needs of the patient

• factors related to recidivism that matter in criminal behaviour

• modifiable, ex. impulsivity

Responsivity

• connecting with patient so that they respond to treatment

What is often the problem with the risk profile (RNR principle)? Tip: think of the 2 degrees of risks.

Low-risk patients often over-treated

High-risk patients often under-treated