Violence in psychopathic offenders

What is it about?

Psychopathy is a personality disorder that is often associated with antisocial and violent behaviours. However, psychopathy may contain three subelements of boldness (acting without fear), meanness (acting in a callous and unempathetic manner), and disinhibition (acting rashly and without thoughts for the consequences). Violence and antisocial behaviours were measured via the offenders' criminal records, behaviour within the prison, and via their own self-reports in an offender sample. We found that disinhibition was strongly related to all forms of antisocial behaviour and violence. Boldness was specifically associated with cold-blooded or premeditated violence.

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Why is it important?

Assessment of the different traits of psychopathy (boldness, meanness, and disinhibition) is important in understanding the types of violence/antisocial acts that psychopaths commit, and therefore in the management and prevention of future violence.