psychopathy

What are the defining traits of a psychopath, according to Hare (1996)?

 Psychopaths are social predators who lack conscience and empathy, manipulate others, and violate social norms without guilt.

How does a primary psychopath differ from a secondary psychopath?

• Primary psychopaths: True psychopaths with innate psychological and biological differences.

• Secondary psychopaths: Developed traits from trauma, abuse, or rejection; more emotionally unstable and impulsive.

What is a dyssocial psychopath?

Someone who exhibits antisocial behavior learned from their environment, not from innate traits

How is sociopathy different from psychopathy in clinical terms?

Sociopathy is not an accepted clinical diagnosis and has been replaced by ASPD, though some argue it is a less severe form of psychopathy.

What is the difference between ASPD and psychopathy?

• ASPD focuses on criminal behavior and is more common in prison populations (50-80%).

• Psychopathy includes emotional, cognitive, and neurological traits and is rarer (11-25% in prisons).

What are the main interpersonal symptoms of psychopathy?

Superficial charm, manipulativeness, grandiosity, pathological lying, and lack of responsibility.

What affective symptoms are common in psychopaths?

 Lack of genuine affection, flat emotional affect, absence of remorse or guilt, and a limited range of emotions.

List behavioral symptoms of psychopathy.

Impulsivity, bad temper, use of instrumental aggression, and unprofessional criminal behavior.

What does the Triarchic Model of psychopathy include?

• Boldness: Fearlessness, social confidence, and rapid recovery from stress.

• Meanness: Cruelty, lack of empathy, and disdain for attachments.

• Disinhibition: Impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and hostility.

How do Hare’s and Cleckley’s descriptions of psychopathy overlap?

Both emphasize traits like superficial charm, lack of remorse or guilt, poor behavioral controls, and impulsivity.

What does the PCL-R measure, and how is it scored?

The PCL-R measures 20 traits scored from 0-2. A score of 30+ indicates psychopathy.

What are the criticisms of the PCL-R?

 It may not measure non-criminal psychopathy effectively, has potential gender biases, and doesn’t account for scores below 30.

What is the prevalence of psychopathy in the general population compared to prison populations?

1% in the general population, 11-25% in prison populations

How do criminal psychopaths differ from non-psychopathic criminals?

Psychopaths commit more versatile and sadistic crimes, while non-psychopaths tend to engage in reactive violence during emotional disputes.

 What are common traits of psychopathic sex offenders?

Their crimes are driven by thrill-seeking and often involve sadistic and unconventional violence

Why do psychopaths have high recidivism rates?

They fail to change behavior in prison, reoffend quickly, and are just as likely to be granted parole as non-psychopaths

How do male and female psychopaths differ in their criminal behavior?

Female psychopaths are more subtle and manipulative, with lower recidivism rates and later offending careers.

What traits does the PCL-YV evaluate in juveniles?

Callous-unemotional traits, narcissism, and impulsivity.

What are the ethical concerns about diagnosing psychopathy in juveniles?

Mislabeling juveniles could lead to improper treatment or neglect of psychological recovery.

What environmental factors contribute to juvenile psychopathy?

Childhood abuse, family difficulties, and negative school experiences.

What does Lykken’s fearlessness model explain about psychopathy?

Psychopaths fail to learn fear responses, increasing their likelihood of criminal behavior.

Describe Hare’s hypoemotionality model.

Emotional deficits reduce stress, guilt, and empathy, increasing the likelihood of harming others.

What is Newman’s response modulation model?

Psychopaths fail to adjust behavior based on consequences, leading to impulsivity.

How does Baumeister’s threatened egotism model explain psychopathic violence?

Psychopaths act violently when their pride is hurt, often as revenge.

What does the hemispheric imbalance theory propose about psychopaths?

Psychopaths have deficits in left hemisphere functions like language and emotional processing, leading to reduced emotional responses.

Why are adult psychopaths resistant to treatment?

Biological causes and manipulative traits make them unresponsive to psychosocial interventions.

What treatments show promise for juvenile psychopathy?

Reward-driven strategies for children and intensive interventions for adolescents.

How does psychopathy change across the lifespan?

It is stable from ages 7 to 40, but behavior may change as psychopaths learn to avoid the criminal justice system.