Individual Differences: Hancock Flashcards
Background
> language communicates directly an individual’s thoughts to another person
underlying cognitive and emotional processes may be revealed in language choices
psychopaths have specific characteristics which distance them from the rest of the population
Aim
to examine whether the language of psychopaths reflect an instrumental world view, socioemotional needs and a poverty of effect
method
> semi-structured interviews using step-wise technique
all interviews transcribed using Wmatrix and Dictionary of Affect in Language
psychopathy measures by psychopathy checklist revised
sample
52 Canadian male murderers in correctional facilities who admitted to crime and volunteered
-14 psychopathic, 38 non psychopathic
-8 1st degree murder, 32 2nd degree murder, 10 manslaughter
procedure
> Psychopathy assessment, PCL-R conducted by prison psychologist or researcher - high inter-rater reliability, cut off score 25 not 30
interviews- step wise, purpose of interview explained, recorded, asked to detail homicide offence in as much detail as possible, interviewers blind to condition of offender, 25 mins, transcribed as closely as possible using Wmatrix and DAL
Wmatrix
compare differences in word usage- takes account of grammar
DAL
assesses emotional properties of language, assigned a score for pleasantness and intensity of emotional language
findings
> psychopaths use more subordinating conjunctions
psychopaths use twice as many words relating to basic level psychological needs
Psychopaths use more past tense verbs
language less fluent
psychopathy less positively balanced
conclusions
psychopaths are
>more likely to describe murder in terms of cause and effect, view crime as logical outcome, focus on psychological needs, describe crime in past tense, operate on a primitive but rational level
