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Differentiating psychopathy from antisocial personality disorder: a triarchic model perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2013

N. C. Venables ,
J. R. Hall  and
C. J. Patrick
N. C. Venables*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
J. R. Hall
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
C. J. Patrick*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
*
*Author for correspondence: Mr N. C. Venables, M.S., Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. (Email: venables@psy.fsu.edu) [N. C. Venables] (Email: cpatrick@psy.fsu.edu) [C. J. Patrick]
*Author for correspondence: Mr N. C. Venables, M.S., Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. (Email: venables@psy.fsu.edu) [N. C. Venables] (Email: cpatrick@psy.fsu.edu) [C. J. Patrick]
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Abstract

Background

The triarchic model of psychopathy characterizes the disorder in terms of three distinguishable phenotypic facets: disinhibition, meanness and boldness. The present study sought to (1) inform current debates regarding the role of boldness in the definition of psychopathy and (2) clarify boundaries between psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).

Method

This study evaluated the degree to which facets of the triarchic model are represented in the most widely used clinical inventory for psychopathy, the Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R), in comparison with ASPD as defined by DSM-IV criteria. Adult male offenders from two distinct correctional settings (n = 157 and 169) were investigated to ensure replicability of findings across samples exhibiting high base rates of psychopathy and antisocial behavior.

Results

We found evidence for convergent and discriminant validity of the three triarchic facets in predicting symptomatic components of psychopathy as assessed by the PCL-R. Additionally, and crucially vis-à-vis current debates in the field, we found that boldness contributed incrementally (over and above disinhibition and meanness) to prediction of PCL-R psychopathy, in particular its interpersonal style component, but not ASPD.

Conclusions

The three distinct facets of the triarchic model of psychopathy are represented clearly and distinctly in the PCL-R, with boldness through its interpersonal facet, but not in DSM-defined ASPD. Our findings suggest that boldness is central to diagnostic conceptions of psychopathy and distinguishes psychopathy from the more prevalent diagnosis of ASPD.

Keywords

Antisocial personality disorderboldnessconstruct validitydisinhibitionmeannesspsychopathytriarchic model
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 44 , Issue 5 , April 2014 , pp. 1005 - 1013
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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