Evaluating the construct validity of psychopathy in black and white male inmates: three preliminary studies

Article Abstract:

Psychopaths typically engage in frequent criminal activity, both violent and nonviolent, as well as a variety of other behaviors, such as passive avoidance learning deficits. A system of evaluation has been developed to assess psychopathy by identifying these characteristics. Although this construct for psychopathy has been applied to non-white as well as white populations, it is not known if this is a valid application, or if there exist race-related factors that are influential. To further explore this issue, three studies were conducted to evaluate the validity of the construct when applied to a black male prison population. The methods used included Hare's Psychopathy Checklist (PCL). The results of the first experiment indicated that differences existed between white and black scores in the association between psychopathy and impulsiveness. There were also differences in the factor structure underlying the PCL. The second study revealed that black psychopaths exhibited passive avoidance deficits that were similar to, but not the same as, those of whites. And the third study showed that, regardless of race, psychopaths tended to receive more criminal charges for a wider variety of crimes than nonpsychopathic subjects. It was concluded that the psychopath construct is probably useful for the evaluation of black psychopaths and that the PCL is a valid instrument of measurement, although individual components may vary between blacks and whites. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Testing, African Americans, Prisoners, Psychology, Pathological, Psychopathology, Criminal psychology

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Delay of gratification in psychopathic and nonpsychopathic offenders

Article Abstract:

A study to identify the importance of delay of gratification in psychopaths ws conducted. Subjects included 158 white male inmates from a low security state prison. Subjects were subdivided into four distinct categories. Results indicate that delay of gratification in psychopaths depends on the situation and quality of psychopathy. Low-anxious psychopaths scored well in a task involving reward only situations, but did very poorly on tasks involving a combination of reward and punishment.

Research, Psychiatric research, Self-control, Self control

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Reliability and construct validity of the psychopathy checklist - revised for Latino, European American, and African American male inmates

Article Abstract:

Psychopathy, as measured by the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R), is a vital construct in forensic research and practice and an essential element in sentencing, management and treatment decisions. Psychopathy studies have involved mainly European American participants and in view of the increasing representation of Latinos and African Americans in correctional institutions the need for research that establishes the validity and reliability of PCL-R is emphasized.

Care and treatment, Antisocial personality disorder

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