Only a minority of psychopaths are violent offenders. Most are subcriminal, able to skirt the law while manipulating, deceiving, and swindling the unsuspecting. But for violent offenders who have been snagged by the justice system, is it possible to accurately determine who is a psychopath and who is not?
What Is a Psychopath?
Psychopathy is a specific form of psychological personality disorder, clinically known as Antisocial Personality Disorder and characterized by lack of empathy or conscience, a difficulty controlling impulses, and manipulative behaviors. Psychopaths can be charming, and are adept at focusing their cold, calculating efforts solely on self-gratification, typically at the expense of others (Hare 1999, Millon 1998).
Can Psychopathy Be Reliably Diagnosed?
Since two common traits of psychopaths are persistent lying and superficial charm, how can a psychopath be reliably identified? Early systems of assessing psychopathy were largely based on self-reporting, but those with this disorder are very skilled at presenting themselves in the best possible light, and are often able to these outsmart psychological tests (Black 1999, Hare 1998).
Dr. Robert Hare, a leading expert in psychopathy, and author of the book Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us, was frustrated with the ineffectiveness of standard psychological tests in assessing criminals. Because assessments based on self-reporting were prone to manipulation by the interviewee, the tests had low inter- and intra-observer agreement, often resulting in vastly different results each time an individual was assessed.
The Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R)
Based on his experience, Hare knew that a more reliable method of accurately identifying psychopaths was needed, one that did not rely on self-reporting. So his team of clinicians spent more than ten years developing and refining a new, more reliable assessment tool. The diagnostic device that Hare’s team developed was dubbed the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL), and is now widely used to professionally diagnose psychopathy. Since its invention, the PCL has been further revised, refined and retitled the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). With this tool, repeated assessments of convicted criminals have proven much more reliable and consistent.
Psychopathic Traits and the PCL
The following is a general lists of the key symptoms that the Psychopathy Checklist is designed to assess. In his book, Dr. Hare does remind readers that the PCL is a complex clinical tool to be administered by trained professionals, and advises the lay person not to use this list to self-diagnose or diagnose others.
Key Symptoms of Psychopathy
- glib and superficial
- grandiose sense of self-worth
- lack of remorse or guilt
- lack of empathy
- deceitful and manipulative
- shallow emotions
- impulsive
- poor behavioral control
- need for stimulation/prone to boredom
- lack of responsibility
- early behavioral problems
- adult antisocial behavior
PCL-R Score
The PCL-R assesses these traits with a clinical rating scale of 20 items. Each item is scored on a three-point scale of 0, 1 or 2, according to specific criteria that is obtained through file information and structured interviews. A value of 0 is assigned if the item does not apply, 1 if it applies somewhat, and 2 if it fully applies. Scores are used to predict risk for criminal re-offense and as well as the probability of rehabilitation. For those assessed as having psychopathy, the implication is that recovery or rehabilitation is extremely unlikely to the point of being hopeless.
Criminal Psychopath and Recidivism
With respect to how the judicial system is able to assess violent criminals, distinguishing which have psychopathic traits is invaluable to identifying those most prone to recidivism. Accurate identification of criminal psychopaths is the vital information parole boards need when evaluating the release of violent offenders.
More Information on Psychopathy
Additional resources on psychopathy and personality disorders in general include: Psychology Prof Online, The Mayo Clinic: Mental Health Center and the article Personality Disorders: Brief Summary of the Ten Disorders of Personality.
This Suite 101 article summarizes information on APD and psychopathy. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.
Additional APD Resources
Black, D. (1999) Bad Boys, Bad Men: Confronting Antisocial Personality Disorder. Oxford University Press.
Hare, R. D. (1999) Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths among Us. Guiford Press.
Millon, T. et al. (1998) Psychopathy: Antisocial, Criminal and Violent Behavior. Guiford Press.
American Psychiatric Association APA (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).
Tami Port - Tami Port is a college professor of cell and microbiology and creator of ScienceProfOnline.com, a free science education website.
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