PSYC 363 Chapter 7 -- Psychopathy

What historical term did Pritchard introduce in 1835 related to psychopathy?

Moral insanity

How is psychopathy conceptualized according to the DSM?

As a mixture of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, but not a formal diagnosis.

What are some key symptoms of psychopathy?

No conscience, no empathy, egocentricity, pathological lying, repeated violations of social norms, disregard for the law, and a history of victimization.

What are the two main factors of psychopathy?

Factor 1: Interpersonal or affective dimension; Factor 2: Antisocial or deviant lifestyle dimension.

How does Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) differ from psychopathy?

ASPD is more restricted to behavioral indicators, while psychopathy includes emotional and cognitive aspects.

What is the prevalence of psychopathy among individuals with ASPD?

Approximately one-third of people with ASPD are also psychopathic.

What are the four core factors of psychopathy according to the four-factor model?

Interpersonal, lifestyle, affective, and antisocial tendencies.

What characterizes primary psychopaths?

True psychopaths who are often criminal, possess superficial charm, high intelligence, and traits like selfishness and egocentricity.

What distinguishes secondary psychopaths?

They have severe emotional problems and instability.

What are some characteristics of female psychopaths compared to male psychopaths?

Less prevalent, score lower on the PCL-R, commit a wide range of crimes but are less violent, and have lower recidivism rates.

What is the significance of the PCL-R in assessing psychopathy?

It is a structured interview tool developed by Robert Hare to assess psychopathic traits.

What is the relationship between psychopathy and recidivism?

Psychopaths have high and frequent recidivism rates, often violating parole sooner than non-psychopaths.

What are some neurobiological factors associated with psychopathy?

Low fear, impaired cognitive functioning, and underarousal both autonomically and cortically.

What are some challenges in treating adult psychopaths?

They are generally not responsive to treatment and require large doses, making evaluation difficult due to manipulation.

What childhood behaviors are indicative of future psychopathy?

Hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention problems, conduct disorder, parental neglect, and negative school experiences.

What ethical considerations arise in labeling children as psychopaths?

Concerns about early and misused labeling leading to self-fulfilling prophecies.

What is semantic aphasia in the context of psychopathy?

The use of words that lack emotional sincerity.

What is the role of charm in white-collar psychopaths?

They use charm, charisma, and intimidation to gain control and often exploit others' weaknesses.

What is the significance of Hare's lateralization theory?

It suggests that psychopaths process language differently, showing smaller physiological responses to emotional content.

What is the low neurotransmitter syndrome in relation to psychopathy?

It posits that low serotonin levels are associated with high violence and aggression.

What is the impact of parental neglect on the development of psychopathy?

It is a significant risk factor that contributes to the development of psychopathic traits.

What types of aggression do female psychopaths typically engage in?

Relational aggression and they often have a history of victimization.

What is the role of impulsivity in the lifestyle factor of psychopathy?

Impulsivity contributes to irresponsible behavior and lack of long-term goals.

What are the implications of the dual process model in psychopathy?

It suggests that temperament and environmental interactions lead to developmental pathways that result in psychopathy.

What is the relationship between psychopathy and violent offending?

Psychopaths are more likely to engage in violent offenses and have higher rates of institutional violence.

What is the significance of the PCL-YV in assessing juvenile psychopathy?

It identifies groups of children with antisocial behavior who may develop into adult psychopaths.