Psychopathy (Non-criminal)

Question 1

Draw the triarchic conceptualization of psychopathy.

Answer 1

Draw.

Question 2

Is psychopathy found in children?

Answer 2

If they are, it can’t reliably be measured. Too many developmental factors to account for. Do not diagnose someone with psychopathy under 18 due to these growth/developmental factors. However, psychopathic traits do exist in adolescents, and it is measurable. We just don’t diagnose them.

Question 3

Gender differences in psychopathy: Females?

Answer 3

• Prevalence <1%
• Higher levels of callousness
• Higher rates of substance abuse
• Less violent and aggressive
• Neurobiologial differences
• Social influences

Question 4

What does research say about neurophysiological brain waves in psychopaths?

Answer 4

50%+ of psychopaths show slow wave abnormality vs. 10%-15% of general population.

Question 5

What is the difference between alpha and beta waves?

Answer 5

Alpha Waves - Relaxed, 8-13 cycles per second

Beta Waves - Stimulated, 14-40 cycles per second

Question 6

What is the maturation retardation hypothesis?

Answer 6

Slow wave activity as reflecting delayed brain maturation.

Question 7

What is the prefrontal cortex responsible for?

Answer 7

Attention, planning, organization, social control, emotional self-regulation.

Question 8

What is the difference in prefrontal cortex in psychopaths?

Answer 8

Reductions in prefrontal grey matter volume.

Question 9

What is the orbitofrontal region specifically related to?

Answer 9

Anticipation of punishment, impulsivity, guilt and empathy.

Question 10

What can damage of the prefrontal cortex cause?

Answer 10

Pseudopsychopathy or acquired sociopathic personality.

Question 11

What is the amygdala responsible for?

Answer 11

Emotional learning, reactions, attention to emotional stimuli, empathy.

Question 12

What is the amygdala a part of?

Answer 12

Limbic system

Question 13

What is different about the amygdala in psychopaths?

Answer 13

Reduced fear conditioning and reduced startle.

Question 14

What is different in the sympathetic nervous system in psychopaths?

Answer 14

Slow to respond to stress, or that the parasympathetic nervous system engages more rapidly.

Question 15

What is hypo emotionality? (suggested by Hare)

Answer 15

Failure to experience the full impact of any kind of emotion.

Question 16

What are childhood factors for psychopathy?

Answer 16

• Temperament
• Attachment
• Child rearing
• Low fear

Question 17

How is temperament a childhood factor of psychopathy?

Answer 17

• intense emotional reactions of anger/frustration

Question 18

How is attachment a childhood factor of psychopathy?

Answer 18

• Impact of inadequate parenting skills
• Abusive environments
• Lack of social support which could result in
  impairments in secure attachments to people.

Question 19

How is child rearing a factor in psychopathy?

Answer 19

• Negative reinforcement patterns around the child
• Parent gives in to non-compliance
• Coercive behaviours of peers/siblings/parents

Question 20

How is low fear a factor is psychopathy?

Answer 20

• May fail to develop empathic awareness skills
• Deficits in emotional cues may lead to an
  impairment in the development of the conscience

Question 21

What is the inverse relationship related to length of treatment stay for psychopaths?

Answer 21

-0.29. The more/higher the psychopathic characteristics, the less time they spend in treatment.

Question 22

Why is it hard to treat psychopaths? They are…

Answer 22

• Less motivated
• Give less effort
• Spent less time in treatment
• Confrontation is an issue due to their narcissism

Question 23

Why is treating psychopaths bad?

Answer 23

• Giving interpersonal skills training. They were
  learning to use treatment skills to better take
  advantage of people.

Question 24

What did Olver (2003) find about the treatment of psychopaths?

Answer 24

• 12% failed to complete treatment
• 56% of non-completers met criteria for p.opathy.
• 19% of completes met criteria for psychopathy
• Factor 1 is the strongest predictor of dropout.
• 36% of psychopaths were convicted for a new
  sexual offense.
• 23% of non-psychopaths convicted for a new
  sexual offense.