Structural models of psychopathy.
Psychopathy traditionally is defined by a cluster of inferred personality traits and socially deviant behaviors. The accepted standard for the reliable and valid assessment of psychopathy is the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Because of its importance in basic and applied research, and in the mental health and criminal justice systems, the PCL-R has been subjected to intense scrutiny by researchers and clinicians. In this article we discuss issues surrounding its structural properties and those of its derivatives. Using factor analysis, item response theory, and multidimensional scaling, we propose that the PCL-R and its derivatives are underpinned by at least four correlated factors: Interpersonal, Affective, Lifestyle, and Antisocial. We argue that attempts to characterize antisocial behaviors as merely "downstream" manifestations of more central traits are inconsistent with the structural properties of the PCL-R and with evidence that the development of traits and actions are interactive and reciprocal. We also report new evidence that psychopathy and its factors are dimensional in nature, perhaps extreme variants of normal personality traits and behaviors.
Hare
Robert D
RD
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. rhare@interchange.ubc.ca
Neumann
Craig S
CS
D000339:Affect; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003415:Crime; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics
Law Hum Behav. 2000 Feb;24(1):83-100
10693320
J Pers Assess. 2002 Feb;78(1):87-103
11936214
J Consult Clin Psychol. 2005 Jun;73(3):466-76
15982144
Psychol Assess. 2001 Dec;13(4):531-42
11793896
J Consult Clin Psychol. 1994 Apr;62(2):387-97
8201078
J Pers Disord. 2005 Dec;19(6):624-40
16553559
Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2001 Apr;3(2):158-62
11276412
Psychol Sci. 2004 Oct;15(10):699-704
15447642
Eur Psychiatry. 2001 Feb;16(1):49-56
11246292
J Pers Disord. 2004 Aug;18(4):337-57
15342322
J Abnorm Psychol. 2004 Nov;113(4):626-35
15535794
J Abnorm Psychol. 1998 Nov;107(4):566-75
9830244
Psychol Assess. 2001 Jun;13(2):171-88
11433793
J Abnorm Psychol. 2004 Aug;113(3):416-27
15311987
Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2003 Dec;4(3):81-110
26151870
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Jun;989:72-85; discussion 144-53
12839887
Psychol Assess. 2004 Mar;16(1):90-5
15023097
Psychol Assess. 2004 Jun;16(2):155-68
15222812
J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2003 Aug;31(4):457-70
12831233