Chapter 11: Psychopathy Flashcards
Psychopathy
“intra-species predator”
(five)
- personality disorder
- prey on others to get what they want
- use charm or violence (usually charm + manipulation)
- show no remorse or shame for behaviour
- lack of concern for societal norms
Alaskan Kunlangeta
psychopathy is seen across cultures
in alaska, they’re called Kunlangeta
Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)
- antisocial behaviours
- closely related to psychopathy (almost all psychopaths have APD but having APD doesn’t automatically mean you’re a psychopath)
- characterized by a history of behaviour in which the rights of others are violated
Sociopathy
what is the cause assumed to be?
- assumed to be due to environmental factors (ex. learning theory as opposed to genetic factors associated with psychopathy)
Measuring Psychopathy
Hare Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R)
(five)
- most popular model
- semi-structured interview
- file report (review background to assess characteristics)
- 20 item rating scale - each out of 0-2
- score of 30+ = psychopathy! (40% = 100%)
Self report models
Psychopathic Personality Inventory Revised (PPI-R)
Self Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP)
what are some criticisms of self report methods for psychopathy?
(five)
- lying?
- maybe they don’t know/believe anything is wrong with them
- may not seek to do the test
- may malinger to avoid more serious consequence/punishment
- may be difficult to report specific emotions if they haven’t experienced them before (may mistake it for another emotion)
What are 6 common myths about psychopaths?
1) psychopaths are born, not made (can be shaped by circumstances, ex.)
2) all are violent (most arent, they use charm to manipulate instead)
3) either a psychopath or not (but, scoring 29% (ex.) shows you have most traits + tendencies - it’s a scale)
4) no female psychopaths (more common in men but not ONLY men)
5) all are intelligent (most are but it’s not a given symptom)
6) psychopaths are untreatable (maybe not even worth trying? they can be treated as long as they’re committed but it’s tough)
What are the two unique types of violence?
Instrumental: organized (premeditated violence to obtain a goal), high PCL-R scores
Reactive: impulsive, unorganized
- higher scores of psychopathy typically result in more imstrumental violence
What are some characteristics of psychopathic violence?
(three)
- deemed versatile offenders (engage in whatever crime is necessary to get what they want)
- more likley to be predatory
- carried out in a callous, calculated manner w/o much emotional context that usually characterizes the violence of other offenders
What percentage of the population are psychopaths? In prison?
~1% of general pop.
~30% in criminal pop. (prison)
How do psychopathic rapists report feeling prior to the crime?
excitement, positive emotions, selfishness
What kind of sexual offenders are most likley to be psychopaths? What kind is least likely?
Most likely: mixed offenders (target both adults and children)
Least likely: child molesters
Sexual Sadism
sexual arousal from pain, suffering, humiliation
How are psychopaths typically successful in the business world? “snakes in suits”
- use it to their benefit to climb the ladder
- charm + manipulation
- less likley to be team players
- strong communication skills
Compared to nonpsychopathic offenders, psychopathic offenders typically:
(four)
- start at a younger age and persist longer
- more violent/greater variety
- engage in more violence within institutions
- are more likley to be violent after release
What are some challenges with interviewing a psychopath?
(five)
- trying to outwit
- enjoy the attention
- attempt to control the interview
- not fooled by bluffs (can’t con the con man)
- attempt to shock (may be more graphic)
What are some recommendations for interviewers?
(five)
- case familiarity
- convey experience + confidence
- admiration (show genuine interest)
- avoid criticism
- avoid emotion (seem unphased)
Adversial allegiance
Tendency for forensic experts to be biased toward the side that hired them
What is one type of offence that psychopaths don’t commit more often?
homicide
- psychopaths engage in cold blooded murder much more often than nonpsychopathic offenders (likely due to emotional detachment)
Why are nonpsychopathic offenders more likley to target people they know?
emotional attachment/arousal
Why are psychopathic offenders more likley to target strangers?
- motivated by revenge or material gain
- will do whatever it takes
- goal may be instrumental but the crimes that lead to the goal might not be because they need to do whatever it is to reach that goal
What are some ways that psychopathic offenders are able to manipulate the criminal justice system?
(3)
- given early release more often than nonpsychopathic offenders
- however, they have less success when followed up on (more likley to re-offend)
- impression management (very good at telling people what they want to hear)
nurture
Environmental factors that may cause psychopathic traits
(two)
- criminal parents (social learning theory, differential association theory (earned through social interactions and certain values))
- physical neglect/abuse
unlike Ted Bundy who had a good childhood and was likley genetically predisposed
how could physical dysfunction in the ____ cause psychopathic traits?
amygdala (regulates expression of emotion and emotional memory)
Nature debate of psychopathy
some evidence for heritability - twin studies
genes may have a role
Youth
Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD)
- observer rating scale
- assess psychopathic traits in children
- precursors
- idea that psychopathy gradually develops
Theories of Psychopathy
Response Modulation Deficit
- idea that is psychopaths are engaging in rewarded behaviour, they won’t pay attention to other info that may inhibit (stop, restrain) that behaviour
- this is why they fail to learn to avoid punishment
Measuring Psychopathy
Triarchic Model
what 3 components does it assess?
1) Boldness
2) Meanness
3) Disinhibition
Triarchic model
Boldness
fearlessness, dominance, lack of anxiety
Triarchic model
Meanness
callousness, manipulative, emotional attachment
Triarchic model
Disinhibition
“inability to withold any inappropriate or unwanted behaviour”
impulsivity, poor behavioural controls, low frustration tolerance
What are 8 characteristics of male psychopaths in heterosexual relationships
- talking the victim into victimization
- lying
- economic abuse
- emotional abuse/psychological torture
- multiple infidelities
- isolation and coercion
- assault
- mistreatment of children
Cognitive Model of Psychopathy
idea that psychopaths fail to use contextual cues that may inhibit (lessen) criminal behaviour
why are psychopaths considered versatile offenders?
commit any crime that is necessary
