Hancock (contemporary study) Flashcards
What is psychopathy?
A disorder where someone has a ‘wholly selfish orientation with a profound emotional defiicit’
Aka a complete lack in empathy
Psychometric test to test for psychopathy name?
PCl-R test
How does the PCl-R test work?
20 items (qualities of psychopathy) that are scored from 0-2 after interviewing by a specialist
8 factor 1 items (personality traits)
As factor 2 items (antisocial lifestyle)
Rating scale on PCl-R
0=does not apply at all
1=sometimes apply
2=fully applies
Normal people on PCl-R score
0-4 out of 40
Clinical psychopaths score on PCl-R
30 put of 40
Psychopath in research score on PCl-R
25/40
What aspect are we comparing between normal people to psychopaths?
Use of language
What are the 3 main characteristics of language are we aiming to compare between psychopaths vs non psychopaths?
If psychopaths use more subordinate conjunctions (because + so) than non psychopaths
If psychopaths make more semantic references to lower level physiological needs like sex and money than higher level needs like love
If psychopaths use less intense emotional words, produce more disfluencies and more past tense
Why would psychopaths use more subordinating conjunctions than non psychopaths?
Because they view the world instrumentally and for their taking so this establishes a cause and effect nature of their crimes
Why would psychopaths make more references to lower level needs on Maslows pyramid?
Because they experience an emotional deficit so would not be motivated by love or spirituality or other people
Why would psychopaths produce less intensive emotional words?
Because they have trouble experiencing these emotions and feelings/ empathising these feelings with others
