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ATS1262: Social Behaviour > Psycopathy > Flashcards

Psycopathy Flashcards

1
Q

Psychopathic Traits

A

Lack of empathy and remorse

Disregards wishes/feelings/rights of others

Frequently manipulative and deceitful

Use people instrumentally

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2
Q

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

A

Focuses more on behaviour rather than core personality traits

Pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood

Must be 18+ and show evidence of CD before 15

Must not be present with antisocial behaviour exclusively during course of schizophrenia or a manic episode

Associated with psychopathy but not equivalent

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3
Q

Sometimes referred to as….

A

Psychopathy

  • Psychological
  • Inate
  • More cold, calculated

Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Behaviour

Sociopathy

  • Social context
  • More reactive, emotional
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3
Q

ASPD traits

A

Must present with at least 3 of the following:

  • Failure to conform to social norms
  • Deceitfulness
  • Impulsivity
  • Irritability & Aggressiveness
  • Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
  • Consistent irresponsibility
  • Lack of remorse

Argued that this could describe many criminals

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5
Q

Conduct Disorder (CD)

A

In children, it’s a repetitive and persistent pattern of behaviour in which the basic rights of others or major age appropriate societal norms or rules are violated (aggression to people/animals, destruction or property, deceitfulness or theft, serious violations of rules)

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6
Q

Psychopathy Defined

A

A cluster of characteristics

  • Behavioural
  • Affective (emotional)
  • Interpersonal
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7
Q

Factor 1

Facet 1: Interpersonal

A
  • Superficial charm
  • Grandiose sense of self-worth
  • Pathological lying
  • Cunning & manipulative
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8
Q

Factor 1

Facet 2: Affective

A
  • Lack of remorse or guilt
  • Shallow affect
  • Callous / lack of empathy
  • Failure to accept responsibility
  • Psychopaths can read emotions but may not ful,y understand
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9
Q

Factor 2 - Social Deviance

Facet 3: Lifestyle

A
  • Need for stimulation
  • Prone to boredom
  • Parasitic lifestyle
  • Lack of realistic long-term goals
  • Impulsivity
  • Irresponsibility
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10
Q

Factor 2 - Social Deviance

Facet 4: Antisocial

A
  • Poor behaviour controls
  • Early behavioural problems
  • Juvenile delinquency
  • Revocation of conditional release
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11
Q

Measuring Psychopathy

A

The Hare Psychopathy Checklist

  • 20 items measuring the presence and strength of characteristics as reported by clinicians
  • Possible scores of 0-40
  • Scores >30 indicate psychopathy
  • 2 main factors (4 facets)
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12
Q

Additional items on checklist not included in the four facets

A
  • Promiscuous sexual behaviour
  • Many short-term marital relationship

-> contributes to the checklist score

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13
Q

Psychopathy - behaviour or emotional?

A
  • Not the display of antisocial behaviour

- Instead it is the emotional impairment

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14
Q

Agression in Psychopaths

A

An emotional disorder
- If it develops into its full form, puts the individual at risk of repeated displays of extreme antisocial behaviour, which can involve:

“reactive aggression”

“instrumental aggression” - cold, calculated

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15
Q

Incidence Rates (CD & ASPD)

A

Community Samples
CD: males 6-16% / females 2-9%
ASPD: males 3% / females 1%

Forensic Samples
ASPD: males 45-60% (much lower in females)

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16
Q

How common are psychopaths?

A

Rates for psychopathy much lower

  • Only 1/4 of those with ASPD meet criteria for psychopathy
  • Estimated at males 0.75%
17
Q

Are Psychopaths more likely to reoffend?

A

Psychopaths do reoffend at higher rates

18
Q

Recidivism rates

A

Recidivism rates are 3 times higher

Violent recidivism rates are 3-5 times higher

19
Q

Sexual assault & Psychopaths

A

More likely to be violent when committing sexual assault

More likely to be sexually aroused from the violence

20
Q

Are Psychopathic criminals more likely to murder a stranger?

A

Higher likelihood of being a stranger (calculated homicide)

Whereas non-psychopaths are more likely to kill someone they know (more emotionally charged situation)

21
Q

Is there association between Socio Economic Status and antisocial behaviour?

A

Studies have shown a relation between the two.

SES association seems to be with Factor 2: Social Deviant behaviour

22
Q

Are psychopaths intelligent?

A

Urban Myth - no evidence

Factor 2: Social Deviant Behaviour
- Linked with lower intelligence levels and lower levels of schooling

23
Q

What connection does Psychopathy have with Depression & Anxiety?

A

Factor 1: Interpersonal/Affective

  • Inversely related to depression & anxiety
  • The more you tick from these facets, the less likely you are to be depressed/anxious

Factor 2: Social Deviance
- Associated with higher anxiety

24
Q

Is substance abuse related to Psychopathy?

A

YES - Factor 2: Social Deviance

25
Q

Psychopathy: Nature

A

Nature (Genetics)

  • Sons of psychopathic mothers at high risk
  • Twin-studies show heritability
  • However, no more “heritable” than depression or anxiety (both which are treatable)
26
Q

Can you predict psychopathy in childhood?

A

Issues with labelling children as “psychopath” (which is an adult personality disorder)

Childhood Conduct Disorder - children with CD do not always become adult psychopaths

27
Q

McDonald’s predictive triad for psychopathy in children

A
  • Bed-wetting
  • Fire-lighting
  • Cruelty to animals
  • Not well supported by empirical research
28
Q

Psychopathy: Nurture

A

The Environment

  • Severe parental rejection
  • Lack of parental affection
  • Inconsistency in discipline and teaching responsibility
  • Absent father
  • If child shows no emotions, it is harder to form emotional bond
  • Increased levels of rejection of child
  • Punishments become harsher
29
Q

Can you treat Psychopathy?

A
  • Still searching for organic basis of the condition
  • Psychological treatment is often enabling
  • Skills training
  • Early intervention (promising research with eye contact)
30
Q

Can having psychopathic tendencies be an advantage?

A

Dr Kevin Dutton “Successful Psychopaths”

Good things

  • Fearless
  • Confident
  • Charismatic
  • Ruthless
  • Focused

ATS1262: Social Behaviour (7 decks)

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