This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 141.76.1.122 (talk) at 08:18, 21 June 2004 (→Interpersonal dimension: - spelling correction conning->cunning). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 08:18, 21 June 2004 by 141.76.1.122 (talk) (→Interpersonal dimension: - spelling correction conning->cunning)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Theoretically, psychopathy is a three-faceted disorder involving interpersonal, affective and behavioral characteristics.
Interpersonally, psychopaths are manipulative, grandiose, egocentric and forceful. Affectively, they are shallow and non-empathetic; they do not experience empathy, guilt or remorse. Behaviorally, they are impulsive, irresponsible and sensation-seeking.
Assessing for psychopathy
In contemporary research and clinical practice, psychopathy is most commonly assessed with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist- Revised (PCL-R), which is a clinical rating scale with 20 items. Each of the items in the PCL-R is scored on a three-point scale according to specific criteria through file information and a semi-structured interview. Score 0 if the trait is absent, 1 if it is possibly or partially present and 2 if it is present. The item scores are summed to yield a total score ranging from 0 to 40 which is then considered to reflect the degree to which they resemble the prototypical psychopath. A score > 30 supports a diagnosis of psychopathy.
The items are as follows:
Interpersonal dimension
- Glibness/superficial charm
- Grandiose sense of self-worth
- Pathological lying
- Cunning/manipulative
- Lack of remorse or guilt
- Shallow affect
- Callous/lack of empathy
- Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
Affective dimension
- Need for stimulation/-proneness to boredom
- Parasitic lifestyle
- Poor behavioral controls
- Early behavioral problems
- Lack of realistic, long-term goals
- Impulsivity
- Irresponsibility
- Juvenile delinquency
- Revocation of conditional release
Behavioral dimension
- Promiscuous sexual behavior
- Many short-term marital relationships
- Criminal versatility
A note of caution: the test must be administered by a trained mental health practitioner under controlled conditions for it to have any validity.