Psychopathy Lecture Notes Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering definitions, concepts, models, and research findings related to psychopathy, based on lecture notes for exam preparation.

What is psychopathy?

A personality disorder defined by interpersonal, affective, and behavioural traits such as manipulation, lack of empathy, lack of remorse, impulsivity, and chronic antisocial behaviour.

How did Cleckley conceptualize psychopathy?

As individuals who appear normal on the surface ('mask of sanity') but lack genuine emotion, empathy, and responsibility.

How did Hare conceptualize psychopathy?

As a multidimensional disorder measurable through behavioural traits and file information, leading to the creation of the PCL-R.

What is the PCL-R?

The Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised: a 20-item clinical rating scale scored 0–40, assessing interpersonal, affective, and antisocial traits.

How is each PCL-R item scored?

0 = does not apply, 1 = applies somewhat, 2 = applies completely; Maximum score = 40.

What score indicates psychopathy on the PCL-R?

Traditionally, 30+ is used in North America; 25+ is often used in research.

What are the two original factors of the PCL-R?

Factor 1: Interpersonal/Affective traits; Factor 2: Lifestyle/Antisocial traits.

What is the 4-factor model of psychopathy?

1. Interpersonal, 2. Affective, 3. Lifestyle, 4. Antisocial.

How is psychopathy different from Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)?

APD focuses on behaviour (criminal acts), while psychopathy includes emotional and interpersonal traits.

What is sociopathy?

A term used to describe individuals with psychopathic traits caused primarily by environmental factors (vs. innate traits).

What is the PCL-SV?

Psychopathy Checklist–Screening Version: a 12-item shortened tool used in community and civil samples.

What percentage of community members are considered psychopaths?

Approximately 1%.

What is the Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Revised (PPI-R)?

A self-report measure with 154 items assessing traits like fearless dominance and self-centered impulsivity.

What is the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP)?

A 64-item questionnaire used with community samples, assessing interpersonal manipulation, erratic lifestyle, callous affect, and criminal tendencies.

What are advantages of self-report psychopathy assessments?

Easy to administer, inexpensive, can measure internal states, and can detect faking (with validity scales).

What are the challenges of self-report assessments for psychopaths?

Psychopaths lie, manipulate, may lack insight, and may not experience the emotions they must report on.

What is the prevalence of psychopathy among corporate professionals?

About 5%, higher than in the general population.

How do psychopaths function in business settings?

They may spread rumours, manipulate coworkers, blame others, take credit for others’ work, and create toxic environments.

Are all psychopaths violent?

No — many engage in nonviolent manipulation, fraud, and exploitation.

What traits contribute to a psychopath’s ability to succeed in corporate settings?

Charm, confidence, manipulation, risk-taking, and lack of empathy.

How are psychopaths portrayed in the media?

Often inaccurately depicted as violent serial killers, causing public misunderstanding.

What is the relationship between psychopathy and criminal behaviour?

Psychopaths begin criminal careers earlier, commit more offences, are more diverse in criminal activity, show less fear of punishment, and reoffend at higher rates.

Do psychopaths commit more homicide?

No — but they commit more instrumental (premeditated) violence.

What is instrumental violence?

Goal-oriented violence (e.g., robbery, revenge), commonly committed by psychopaths.

What is reactive violence?

Emotional, impulsive violence in response to a perceived threat; psychopaths are less likely to engage in this.

What characteristics define psychopathic violence?

Predatory, calculated, callous, goal-oriented, directed at strangers, and rarely emotional.

How does psychopathy relate to sexual violence?

Psychopathy is not strongly tied to sexual offending but associated with sexual sadism and linked to positive feelings before offences.

What does research show about sexual offenders with high psychopathy?

They may have more deviant interests and higher recidivism rates, especially with sadistic traits.

How effective is treatment for psychopathy?

Research shows limited effectiveness, especially for traditional treatments.

What did the 2-year intensive treatment study find?

Treated psychopaths had worse violent recidivism rates (77%) compared to untreated non-psychopaths (39%).

Why might treatment increase recidivism in psychopaths?

They learn to better manipulate, use treatment language to appear reformed, do not internalize prosocial values, and gain skills to exploit others.

What treatment approaches show promise for psychopathy?

Those that are cognitive-behavioural, intensive, focused on criminogenic needs, and long-term.

Are psychopathic offenders likely to stay in treatment?

Psychopathic sexual offenders who remain in treatment may reoffend less.

What are early biological explanations for psychopathy?

Under-arousal, genetic influences, and abnormalities in prefrontal cortex functioning.

What environmental factors may contribute to psychopathy?

Childhood abuse, inconsistent parenting, neglect, and exposure to violence.

What is the nature vs. nurture debate in psychopathy?

Psychopathy is influenced by both biological predispositions and environmental experiences.

What is the triarchic model of psychopathy?

Psychopathy consists of boldness, meanness, and disinhibition.

How do psychopaths differ in emotional processing?

Less responsive to fear and distress cues, difficulty recognizing facial affect, impaired moral reasoning, and shallow emotional reactions.

What is the relationship between psychopathy and executive functioning?

Mixed research; some show deficits while others show normal or above-average executive functioning.

Why do psychopaths have difficulty learning from punishment?

They are insensitive to cues associated with negative consequences (low fear response).

Can psychopathy decrease with age?

Antisocial behaviours may decline with age, but core traits often remain stable.

What is the relationship between psychopathy and recidivism?

One of the strongest predictors of violent recidivism, general recidivism, and institutional misconduct.

What is the approximate prevalence of psychopathy in prisons?

Between 15–25% of incarcerated offenders.

Why is the PCL-R controversial?

Concerns include misuse in court, overemphasis on criminal behaviour, cultural bias, and potential for labeling.

How does psychopathy influence parole decisions?

High psychopathy scores significantly decrease the likelihood of parole approval due to elevated risk.

How does psychopathy impact treatment responsivity?

Psychopaths often resist treatment, manipulate clinicians, and demonstrate poor engagement.

What is corporate psychopathy?

Psychopathy expressed in workplace behaviour rather than crime, involving exploitation, manipulation, and unethical leadership.

How do corporate psychopaths affect organizations?

They create toxic cultures, increase turnover, decrease productivity, and contribute to fraud or misconduct.

What features make psychopaths successful in business?

Charm, superficial relationships, strategic manipulation, confidence, and emotional detachment.

What is the biggest MYTH about psychopaths?

That all psychopaths are violent — in reality, many never commit crime.

What is the biggest RISK factor associated with psychopathy?

Persistent, versatile, and violent offending due to lack of empathy and poor behavioural control.

What role does emotion play in psychopathy?

Psychopaths experience shallow emotions and have difficulty forming genuine emotional bonds.