The Psychopathy Checklist Revised Essay

Psychopathy as a mental disorder or construct, although not included in the presently valid classification systems, is gradually fascinating the experts and investigators involved in the field of mental health. Curiosity in psychopathy has mainly grown after the declaration of the new classification system DSM V in which psychopathy is mentioned as a clear diagnosis in the context of six new personality illnesses.

When most people hear the word psychopath their mind forms a picture of a wild-eyed, rambling, lunatic who is often restrained in a straitjacket. The media has helped this belief along the way with slasher horror films and grisly CSI episodes depict these strange humans. However, the average psychopath is much harder to spot than most people believe. In fact, most of them are extremely difficult to distinguish from ordinary humans. They outwardly appear normal and many do not find it difficult to blend into common society. They can interact with others, hold successful jobs, and effectively keep themselves out of trouble. Most are not the sadistic killers many people think they are. Psychopaths are people born with problems (Bartol 105) or

Psychopathy; a term used to describe an individual with the ability to differentiate between right and wrong and acknowledge the rules of society, but are impervious to the moral foundation of these rules. Unlike other mental disorders such as sociopathy and schizophrenia, psychopathic individuals are able to understand actions that violate the law or go against social norms (Glenn 1). Although, they may be able to accurately judge moral and/or legal violations, one major factor that they lack is – emotional capacity. It is estimated that about 1% of the general population is made up of psychopaths, which is a considerable risk when it comes to crimes (Parry n.p). Therefore, the way in which the law responses to psychopathic individuals is an important moral and empirical issue. With that being said, should psychopaths be held criminally responsible for their behavior? Due to psychopathic individuals failure to meet criteria necessary for moral responsibility, such as the lack of understanding of the human race, predetermined biological structures of the brain and the fact that psychopathy is

However, more recently, a study led by King’s College London has claimed that there are differences between the brains of psychopaths and other criminal offenders diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Dr. Nigel Blackwood who led the research is quoted as saying “We describe those without psychopathy as 'hot-headed' and those with psychopathy as ‘cold-hearted’.” This statement shows a clear distinction between what should be interpreted as a lack of self-control and ability to repress impulses and what should be diagnosed as psychopathy.
The study took MRI scans of 66 men, two thirds of which were offenders who had been diagnosed with antisocial personality whilst the other third were non-offenders considered to not have any personality disorders. Of the 44 offenders, 17 met the diagnosis criteria for psychopathy (ASPD+P) assessed by the guidelines stated in the DSM-IV. Researchers saw that the members of the study diagnosed as psychopaths had notably less grey matter in areas associated with moral behaviour and understanding other peoples’

Therefore, as a strength of the PCL-R system, unlike APD, an antisocial lifestyle is only part of the diagnostic criteria for psychopathy (Fine, & Kennett, 2004, p. 425). Where as psychometric analysis of the PCL-R consistently identifies two factors. One of the factors corresponds to personality features, such as lacking guilt or remorse, or a lack of empathy, while the other looks into features of antisocial lifestyles, such as impulsivity or poor behaviour controls (Fine & Kennett, 2004, p. 425). The PCL-R gives individuals that are being assessed in these traits and behaviors a score from a 3-point scale (0,1, 2) (Hare et al., 2006, p. 59). Where 0 indicates that the characteristic being assessed was definitely not present or did not apply, 1 stating that there

Psychopaths have been around for more than a century, and have found themselves to be able to make the public fear them. Belle Gunness, the Zodiac Killer, and John Wayne Gacy are all examples for the character traits compatible with psychopathy and have been able to provide more reason to the research of psychopaths. Statistically, psychopathy is found in three percent of the male population and in one percent of one percent of the female population. A psychopath’s behavior of exploitation, lying, recklessness, and arrogance has been studied to further understand how their brain structure is different in MRI scans and how they are able to use special abilities to catch its victims. Many research studies have been able to provide more information

This article states that we need to stop interchanging psychopath and sociopath, as they are two different disciplines. Pemment goes into detail about the history, research, and growth of psychopathy. He says that we need to understand the difference between the two, as the behavioral characteristics and potential treatments for each are different. The article includes details on Hervey Cleckley and Robert Hares work on psychopathy. The article describes the PCL-R, and how Hare says the test should be done. The PCL-R is used as a screening tool to identify psychopaths, and

In fact, the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-V), the central diagnostic tool utilized by psychologists, does not recognize psychopathy as a legitimate mental illness. Rather than receiving a formal diagnosis of psychopathy, an individual exhibiting psychopathic tendencies would instead receive a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (APD). Since the DSM-V is not an option for assessing psychopathy, clinicians must alternatively rely on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). During sentencing, the PCL-R can be introduced as an aggravating factor in arguing for more severe punishment because the presence of psychopathy is strongly correlated with high recidivism rates, yet the belief that psychopaths are inherently more dangerous is empirically unfounded. Based on the research by John Edens and his colleagues at the Southern Methodist University, they concluded the use of the PCL-R is more prejudicial than probative in capital punishment cases. In their study, sixty percent of jurors supported a death sentence when expert testimony using the PCL-R described the defendant as psychopathic as opposed to only thirty-eight percent when the defendant was described as psychotic or thirty percent when not mentally disordered. The problem with using the PCL-R in

Moving forward into the 20th century, Hervey Cleckley made a contribution to the knowledge and research of the psychopathic brain. He wrote a book called, “The Mask of Sanity” (1976) where he described psychopathy as a configuration of interpersonal and behavioral features. He found that not only do psychopaths contain an antisocial behavior, they also have many negative characterizations and traits such as being manipulative, fearless, impulsive and lacking empathy as well as remorse or guilt. He also found that psychopathy is not only in those who show criminal behavior, however psychopathy may be present in those who appear to be successful and socially fit individuals.

Popular portrayals of psychopaths are diverse and conflicting, ranging from impulsive and violent criminals to corporate figures who skillfully maneuver their way up the social ladder. Despite this diversity a well validated measure of psychopathy, the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R), has come to dominate clinical and legal practice. The PCL-R covers two basic domains: an interpersonal affective domain that encompasses core traits like callousness and manipulativeness, and an antisocial domain that entails disinhibition and chronic antisocial behavior. The PCL-R is often used to help make decisions in legal matters like hat sentence an offender should get (Skeem

They presented evidence that showed that many individuals who commit violent crimes are much more likely than others to kill or abuse again. To support their position they measure this potential for recidivism with a structured examination which is called the psychopathy checklist. Part of this test includes an extensive interview where trained medical professionals rate the offenders on a personality test checklist. The individuals who are subjected to this test earn different points depending on the applicability of the listed items. Small scores are found in the general population, while a higher range is found in prison populations and among highly psychopathic offenders or predatory killers. Researchers have found that those individuals who score in the higher ranges are up to four times more likely than other prisoners to commit another crime once released. Almost 100 % of those tested individuals on the top of the hierarchy list qualify as

It helps evaluate the personality traits and behaviors of an individual based on a scaled determined by an in-depth interview. But does it means everyone can determine if someone is a psychopath? The answer is not. Of course, someone can identify some of the personality trait and behaviors listed in the PCL-R but it does not mean that individual is a psychopath. In addition, the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL-SV), a derivative and shorter version of the PCL-R can also be used for such purpose. Already stated, the most startling aspect of the reading was how difficult it was to identify a psychopath. For such reason, these tests should be used carefully. It must be a psychologist or a psychiatrist who makes the judgment and determines if the traits and characteristics apply to the person being assessed. It is impossible to think that anyone can label someone else as a psychopath. I believe it must be taken seriously when applying certain traits to someone and label that person a psychopath. The simple fact that a certain individual has some of the traits, behavior or characteristics of a psychopath does not mean that it is such a thing. Of course, the behavior of that person may be

Robert D. Hare PhD is one of the leading experts in the world on psychopathy. In 1993, Hare wrote a book titled “Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us.” The book surrounds around the world of violent and non-violent psychopaths. With nearly two million psychopaths in North America, the prevalence for this illness is higher than one would expect. The overall purpose of Hare’s novel is to bring awareness about the truths surrounding psychopathy, the chilling future this illness poses and how society can reduce their risk of being targeted by a psychopath.

The concept of psychopathy originated in the 1800s to describe individuals that consistently failed to conform to societal norms and exhibited antisocial behavior that did not fit the concept of mental illness of the time period. While, psychopathy was a common term used to describe individuals suffering from this disorder other descriptions were coined such as “Pinel’s term “manie sans delvie” meaning mania without delirium in the 1700s, to describe patents whose ‘affective faculties were disordered’” or Pritchard’s term “moral insanity” (Ogloff 520). In the 1930’s Partridge argued that psychopathy was a social rather than a mental disorder and proposed that the concept of sociopathy be introduced as a more accurate description. The American Psychological Association adopted Partridge’s term for their Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel in 1952. However, in 1968 the American Psychological Association changed the diagnostic label from sociopath to “personality disorder, antisocial” for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel – II that continued through to the DSM - III in 1980 and the DSM - III-R in 1987 and the DSM - IV in 1994. Today the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel categorizes antisocial personality disorder as a personality disorder and it is named as such. Unfortunately, not much research has been conducted

Psychopaths can seem just like you or me, but when you are not around them this is when their mental disorder kicks in. Psychopaths that have been put in jail committed three times as many crimes per year then non-psychopaths. 97% of convicted psychopathic criminals cause at least one violent crime compared to 74% of non-psychopaths. Psychopaths are shown to be more violence throughout their entire life compared to a regular people. Psychopaths tend to have a greater chance of failing on parole and mandatory supervision and have a faster rate of failing then non-psychopaths. Psychopathy predicts recidivism on conditional release as well as or better than do actuarial risk instruments. Psychopaths recidivate at a rate of three to four times higher than that of non-psychopaths.