title: "A Psychopath by Any Other Name?": Juror Perceptions of the DSM-5 "Limited Prosocial Emotions" Specifier.
abstract: DSM-5 recently added the specifier "Limited Prosocial Emotions" (LPE) to the Conduct Disorder (CD) diagnosis, yet little is known about how these traits will affect attitudes toward CD youth. Laypersons attending jury duty (N = 326) were randomly assigned to one of four case vignette conditions in which a male juvenile offender was identified as having (a) CD symptoms only, (b) CD symptoms plus a diagnostic label, (c) CD symptoms plus a diagnostic label and description of LPE traits, or (d) CD symptoms plus a description of LPE traits and a "psychopath" label. LPE traits led to more negative perceptions of the youth (e.g., more dangerous, evil, and psychopathic) and adding the psychopath label to the LPE specifier resulted in somewhat stronger support for punishment and mandated treatment. The LPE specifier may provide useful diagnostic information, but these findings raise serious concerns that it will stigmatize youth in the legal system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Edens
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University.
authors.forename: Elyse N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Mowle
authors.affiliation: Department of Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, and Homeland Security, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University.
authors.forename: Melissa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Magyar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003416:Criminal Law; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult