Psychopathic predators? Getting specific about the relation between psychopathy and violence

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Criminology
• Psychopathology

Background:

• The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is commonly used to assess violence risk, assuming it identifies detached individuals prone to preying on others.
• This study investigates the relationship between psychopathic traits, impulsive antisociality, and future violence risk and motivation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between core interpersonal/affective psychopathy traits and impulsive antisociality with future violence risk.
• To examine the link between these factors and patterns of motivation for past violence.

Main Methods:

• 158 male offenders were assessed for psychopathy using the PCL-R and the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI).
• An independent team assessed lifetime violence patterns and motivation.
• Offenders were followed for up to 1 year to assess new violence, using interviews and official records.

Main Results:

• The PPI predicted future violence incrementally over the PCL-R, primarily due to impulsive antisociality.
• Impulsive antisociality, rather than specific psychopathic traits, was uniquely linked to instrumental violence.
• Specific psychopathic traits were narrowly associated with deficits in violence motivation.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest impulsive antisociality is a key predictor of violence, distinct from core psychopathic traits.
• Researchers advise caution against broad generalizations regarding the link between psychopathy and violence.