Refining the construct of psychopathy: towards a hierarchical model.
Psychopathy is characterized by diverse indicators. Clinical accounts have emphasized 3 distinct facets: interpersonal, affective, and behavioral. Research using the Psychopathy Checklist--Revised (PCL-R), however, has emphasized a 2-factor model. A review of the literature on the PCL-R and related measures of psychopathy, together with confirmatory factor analysis of PCL-R data from North American participants, indicates that the 2-factor model cannot be sustained. A 3-factor hierarchical model was developed in which a coherent superordinate factor, Psychopathy, is underpinned by 3 factors: Arrogant and Deceitful Interpersonal Style, Deficient Affective Experience, and Impulsive and Irresponsible Behavioral Style. The model was cross-validated on North American and Scottish PCL-R data, Psychopathy Screening Version data, and data derived from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) antisocial personality disorder field trial.
Cooke
D J
DJ
Department of Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland. djcooke@rgardens.u-net.com
Michie
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology