Psychopathy and Personality: Advances and Debates

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Personality Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• This special issue features nine original articles on personality-based perspectives of psychopathy.
• It synthesizes recent advances and areas of consensus in psychopathy research.

Discussion:

• Key advances include the utility of trait perspectives, a prototypical psychopathy trait profile, and early developmental manifestations.
• The neural underpinnings and the association between psychopathy and antisocial behavior are also emphasized.

Key Insights:

• The special issue highlights the importance of trait models in understanding psychopathy.
• It underscores the developmental trajectory and neurobiological correlates of psychopathic traits.

Outlook:

• Ongoing debates focus on the necessity and sufficiency of specific psychopathy traits.
• The distinction between psychopathy and other personality constructs like Machiavellianism remains a key area of discussion.