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Race, psychopathy and the self: a discourse analytic study
1Psychological Therapy Service, Whiston Hospital, Prescot, Merseyside, UK. mss@rapid.co.uk
The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|January 1, 2000
Summary
Psychological models differ between Black and White men in forensic reports. This may explain why Black men are underrepresented in psychopathy diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Discourse Analysis
- Sociology of Mental Health
Background:
- Psychopathy diagnosis in forensic settings.
- Racial disparities in mental health diagnoses.
- Implicit psychological models and their influence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore implicit psychological models in forensic admission reports.
- To investigate racial differences in these models between Black and White men.
- To understand the relevance of these models to psychopathy diagnosis and representation.
Main Methods:
- Discourse analytic study of admission reports.
- Comparative analysis of reports for Black and White men.
- Examination of psychological models of the self and external world influence.
Main Results:
- White men's reports emphasize intra-psychic states linked to behavior.
- Black men's reports de-emphasize internal states, stressing external world influence.
- Divergent psychological models identified based on race.
Conclusions:
- Implicit psychological models vary significantly by race in forensic contexts.
- These differing models are relevant to the underrepresentation of Black men in psychopathy diagnoses.
- Further research needed on cultural influences in forensic psychological assessment.