Sharon Sternberg

Psychopathy

What is Psychopathy?

A personality disorder in which an individual manifests immoral and antisocial behavior,

lack of ability to love or establish meaningful personal relationships, extreme egocentricity (self-centeredness), failure to

learn from experience, etc.

A Brief HistoryIt has been anecdotally recognized for

centuries.Evidence for psychopathy has been found in

literary, historical, political, and religious texts.

It has also been found cross-culturally.Philippe Pinel is thought to have created the

first written record for psychopathy in the mid 1800’s.

In 1941 Hervey Cleckley became the first to catalogue psychopathy's specific traits.

Hare’s PsychopathyPsychopaths are:-Personality Wise (Primary Psychopathy):

callous, manipulative, glib, lack anxiety and remorse…

-Behavior Wise (Secondary Psychopathy): impulsive, antisocial, poor behavioral controls.

Psychopathy differs from other personality disorders in 3 distinct ways:

1)Arrogant interpersonal style2)Deficient affective experience

3)Impulsive behavioral style

Snakes in SuitsNot neurotic or psychotic; they are calm,

cool, and collected.Excessive users of Instrumental

Aggression.Cyclical behavior patterns.Under-aroused nervous systems.

Psychopathic CharacteristicsPsychopaths lie A LOT.However, although they lie easily, they

openly contradict themselves from one sentence to the next.

They blame others for their own downfalls.They look out for “numero uno”.

Impulsivity

“One of our subjects, who scored high on the Psychopathy Checklist, said that while

walking to a party he decided to buy a case of beer, but realized that he had left his

wallet at home six or seven blocks away. Not wanting to walk back, he picked up a heavy piece of wood and robbed the nearest gas station, seriously injuring the attendant”

(Hare, 1995, pg. 58-59)

Criminal activities

The typical criminal psychopaths begin criminal behavior at a young age and continue until around 40 years of age,

where the number of crimes decreases.

Psychopathy, Recidivism, and Drug AbuseWithin a year of release, psychopaths are 3

times more likely than non-psychopathic inmates to recidivate and 3 to 5 times more likely to recidivate violently.

Smith and Newman found those with psychopathy were significantly more likely than non-psychopathic offenders to meet diagnoses of alcoholism, drug disorders, and polysubstance abuse.

Psychopathy and Therapy• Psychopaths have self-inflated images and

are generally happy with themselves.• This results in low motivation to do well in

therapy and early drop out rates.• They can also pick up on a variety of

reasons to justify their behavior.

“These programs are like a finishing school. They teach you how to put the squeeze on

people”

Snakes in Skirts?Female Psychopathy- More rare than male psychopathy.- Make up an estimated 15% of incarcerated

female population.- Less violent than male psychopaths.- Lower rate of recidivism than male

psychopaths.

“Successful” PsychopathsNever indulge in serious criminal behavior

(or never are caught).Excel in business.CEO’s, politicians, etc.

Prevalence1 in every 100 people in the U.S.2 in every 100 people in Britain Mostly malesMake up an estimated 20% of the

incarcerated male population

Theories of PsychopathyPsychopathy has been attributed to:

Genes, Society (such as an abusive home-life), Environmental Insult (as in birth

complications, brain damage, or physical anomalies), Molecular Neuroscience (like abnormal serotonin levels in the brain),

Amygdale Dysfunction, Frontal Lobe Dysfunction, Cognitive Dysfunction, and

other causes…

Restrictions to PsychopathyChild psychopaths

Measures of PsychopathyThe Golden Standard: The Psychopathy

Check List (PCL-R) by Hare- Two factor structure of psychopathy:

Personality and Behavior. - 20 item clinical interview, accompanied

with review of criminal and health records.- Score of 30 or higher indicates

psychopathy

A divide in the community

Psychopathy ASPD

1) Arrogant interpersonal style

2) Deficient affective experience

3) Impulsive behavioral style

A pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:

- Failure to conform to social norms;

- Deceitfulness; - Impulsivity or failure to plan

ahead; - Irritability and aggressiveness;- Reckless disregard for safety

of self or others; - Consistent irresponsibility; and- Lack of remorse

But….80% of the United States prison population

meets the diagnostic criteria for ASPD, while only 15 to 25% meet the criteria for

psychopathy as designated by the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R)

ConclusionsAlthough psychopathy has been around for

many years, little is empirically known around it.

Even though it deals with a tiny portion of the population, knowing more about psychopathy is crucial for their safety and ours.