No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
A Rorschach comparison of psychopathic and nonpsychopathic conduct disordered adolescents
Abstract
Forty-eight male subjects who met the DSM-IV (APA, 1994) criteria for conduct disorder (CD) were assessed for psychopathy level using a modified version of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R, Forth, Hart, & Hare, 1990). Rorschach variables associated with self-perception, affects, and object relations, early behavioral problems and history of violence were compared between psychopathic and nonpsychopathic CD adolescents. Psychopathic CD subjects were significantly more self-centered and violent than nonpsychopathic CD subjects. Decreased attachment and anxiety were found in both CD groups. Our study adds empirical support to the heterogeneity noted among CD adolescents (PCL-R), supports the utility of the Rorschach for detecting individual differences among CD subjects, and extends the empirical work of Gacono and Meloy (1994) to adolescent psychopathy.
... For example, in Egozi-Profeta's (1999) study, appropriate cut-scores were used initially to separate groups (27 participants PCL-R < 30 in the moderate group, 17 participants PCL-R ≥30 in the severe group); however, they did not use these groups in their correlation but used continuous scores with Rorschach variables instead. Smith et al. (1997) used a modified version of the PCL-R with youths, and while it should be pointed out that the authors used this approach based upon the best information available at the time (prior to the development of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version; Forth et al., 2003), the utilization of this pre-PCL: YV method limits comparisons to current PCL: YV findings. Ponder (1999) did not report the appropriate scores for comparison between groups (we note that no cut-scores for the PCL:YV have been suggested) for the data gathered from the PCL: YV, and Siemsen (1999) designated a PCL-R cut score below (PCL-R < 27) the recommended cut score suggested by the test's developer and author (Hare, 1991;. ...
... For example Ballard (2006) contains the same population as Loving (1998) and Loving and Russell (2000) therefore only Ballard (2006) was placed in the table. This was subsequently performed with other overlapping data sets such as Cunliffe and Gacono (2005), Gacono and Meloy (1994), Young et al. (2000), Smith et al. (1997) and Welsh (1999). ...
... Reliability of assessment forms the basis of ethical and competent test use and interpretation, since a measurement that is lacking in reliability must, by definition, also be invalid (DeVellis, 2003). Of the 11 Rorschach studies included in the meta-analysis, 4 did not include an assessment of inter-rater agreement (Gacono & Meloy, 1994;Egozi-Profeta, 1999;Welsh, 1999;Young et al., 2000), 4 used a percent agreement method (Muntz, 1999;Ponder, 1999;Smith et al., 1997;Cunliffe & Gacono, 2005), 2 (Darcangelo, 1999;Hartmann et al., 2006) used intra-class correlations, and 1 (Ballard, 2006) used Cohen's kappa. The preferred method of inter-rater reliability with the Rorschach is Cohen's kappa (Cohen, 1968) for categorical comparisons (Uebersax, 1987). ...
Wood et al. (2010) published a meta-analysis in which the authors challenged the utility of the Rorschach Inkblot Test in delineating key differences between psychopathic and non-psychopathic individuals identified by the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991/2003). In this article, Gacono et al.’s (2001) five conceptual and four methodological criteria for the evaluation and interpretation of psychopathy/Rorschach literature were employed to provide a detailed review of the approach and procedure used by Wood et al. (2010). We identify and discuss a number of conceptual and methodological problems with the meta-analysis including confusion of the related but distinct terms of diagnosis and assessment, selection of studies, categorical versus dimensional interpretations of data, characterization of PCL-R and Rorschach findings, and meta-analytic methodology. Finally, recommendations for the essential components of well designed and implemented PCL-R and Rorschach studies are provided.
... Rorschach information helps anticipate real life behaviors in children who have emotional or behavioral disorders, in that the content of the individual's decision-making repertoire is reflected in the assessment data (Gacono & Meloy, 1994;Lunardi, 1999;Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997;Weber, Meloy, & Gacono, 1992). Empirical evidence indicates that the RIM's contribution to the understanding of childhood difficulties is extensive, including understanding negative affectivity in children diagnosed as emotionally disturbed (Hughes, Miller, & Morine, 2005), differences in aggressive behaviors in psychopathic and nonpsychopathic conduct disordered children (Gacono & Meloy, 1994;Loving & Russel, 2000;Smith et al., 1997), the way childhood delinquency is related to adolescent and adulthood delinquency (Janson & Stattin, 2003), and the role of attachment and anxiety in conduct or dysthymic disordered adolescents ( Weber et al., 1992). ...
... Rorschach information helps anticipate real life behaviors in children who have emotional or behavioral disorders, in that the content of the individual's decision-making repertoire is reflected in the assessment data (Gacono & Meloy, 1994;Lunardi, 1999;Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997;Weber, Meloy, & Gacono, 1992). Empirical evidence indicates that the RIM's contribution to the understanding of childhood difficulties is extensive, including understanding negative affectivity in children diagnosed as emotionally disturbed (Hughes, Miller, & Morine, 2005), differences in aggressive behaviors in psychopathic and nonpsychopathic conduct disordered children (Gacono & Meloy, 1994;Loving & Russel, 2000;Smith et al., 1997), the way childhood delinquency is related to adolescent and adulthood delinquency (Janson & Stattin, 2003), and the role of attachment and anxiety in conduct or dysthymic disordered adolescents ( Weber et al., 1992). Rorschach information provides an idiographic understanding of children useful for developing individual education programs (Pierce & Penman, 1998;Socket, 1998) as well as information useful in the consideration of intervention outcomes ( Stokes et al., 2003). ...
... The RIM is psychometrically stable and valid when used in the manner for which it was designed (Piotrowski, 1996;Piotrowski & Keller, 1989;Piotrowski, Sherry, & Keller, 1985). Rorschach information contributes substantially to guiding interventions for children whom school psychologists serve (Janson & Stattin, 2003;Lunardi, 1999;Pierce & Penman, 1998;Smith et al., 1997;Socket, 1998;Stokes et al., 2003;Weber et al., 1992). ...
In this article we examine the current status of Rorschach assessment. School psychologists are provided with an introduction to the Rorschach Inkblot Method (RIM), the types of information that the test provides, and guidelines for evaluating the RIM. We also address criticisms that have served to discourage the use of the RIM. When administered, coded, and interpreted within guidelines provided by Exner's Comprehensive System, the Rorschach clearly meets ethical and professional standards for psychological test usage. The RIM can provide unique and important information concerning the emotional and social functioning of children and adolescents that aids in developing individualized educational programming including behavior intervention plans. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 281–291, 2007.
... 291). Second, the article (Smith et al., 1997) reported negative findings for some variables not included in the dissertation: T, Y, and Cooperative Movement responses. The article also reported significant differences ( p .05) for AG and an unusual dichotomized form of the Egocentricity Index that had been created for the study. ...
... Smith's dissertation (1994/1995, p. 97) stated that the analysis of the dichotomized Egocentricity Index had been " exploratory. " The third difference between the article (Smith et al., 1997) and the dissertation (Smith, 1994Smith, /1995) concerned their conclusions. Smith's dissertation had concluded that the negative results indicated a lack of narcissism in the severely psychopathic group. ...
... An article by Hilsenroth et al. (1997) on NPD reported three variables with positive findings from Hilsenroth's (1996/1997) dissertation, but omitted twelve variables with negative findings. An article on psychopathy by Smith et al. (1997) stated that data from a particular group of subjects had not been used, although Smith's dissertation (1994/1995) reported that these subjects had been included in analyses. Furthermore, Smith et al. interpreted their essentially negative findings as if they confirmed the value of the Rorschach as a measure of narcissism. ...
The present article comments on a classic study by Garfield (1947) then reviews research on the Rorschach and psychiatric diagnoses. Despite a few positive findings, the Rorschach has demonstrated little validity as a diagnostic tool. Deviant verbalizations and bad form on the Rorschach, and indices based on these variables, are related to Schizophrenia and perhaps to Bipolar Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder. Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder also seem to give an above-average number of deviant verbalizations. Otherwise the Rorschach has not shown a well-demonstrated relationship to these disorders or to Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders other than PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Dependent, Narcissistic, or Antisocial Personality Disorders, Conduct Disorder, or psychopathy.
... 97%, determinants ϭ 91%, FQx ϭ 93%, contents ϭ 92%, Z score ϭ 95%, special scores ϭ 83%, and total agreement ϭ 65%; Smith, Gacono, and Kaufman (1997), .94 composite agreement for R, Lambda, Egocentricity Index, Fr ϩ rF(s), Y, AG, and COP; Weber, Meloy, and Gacono (1992), SumT ϭ 100%, SumY ϭ 100%, H ϭ 94%; Gacono (1998; for MASPDs), location ϭ 99%, space ϭ 100%, DQ ϭ 92%, determinants ϭ 87%, a/p ϭ 100%, FQx ϭ 94%, pairs ϭ 96%, contents ϭ 96%, populars ϭ 100%, Z scores ϭ 91%, and special scores ϭ 67%; Gacono and Meloy (1994, p. 293; for 19 SHPs), location ϭ 99.3%, DQ ϭ 99%, determinants ϭ 90.2%, FQx ϭ 99.3%, contents ϭ 96.8%, Z score ϭ 98.7%, special scores ϭ 94.7%, and total agreement ϭ 85.5%; Bridges et al. (1998;for PEDs), Egocentricity Index ϭ 92%, reflections ϭ 98%, SumV ϭ 85%, SumY ϭ 86%, m ϭ 94%, Afr ϭ 87%, S ϭ 82%, 2AB ϩ art ϩ Ay (ϩ 1) ϭ 88%, Fd ϭ 96%, SumT ϭ 92%, Sx ϭ 84%, M-ϭ 90%, Mp ϭ 92%, Ma ϭ 96%, H ϭ 87%, (H) ϭ 85%, and Hd ϭ 88%. 5 As predicted the two sexually deviant groups produced significantly more responses (R; ANOVA, F ϭ 10.25, p Ͻ .001) ...
... In contrast, among sexual homicide perpetrators there was little relationship between psychopathy level and T. Psychopathic sexual homicide perpetrators were just as likely to produce one or more Ts as their nonpsychopathic counterparts. Exner (1986) and others (Klopfer, 1938;Schachtel, 1966) interpreted the texture response as a measure of interpersonal closeness or affectional relatedness. Schachtel (1966) additionally theorized that in some cases texture responses indicated ambivalence surrounding attachment and perhaps a fear of unpleasant skin contact-described elsewhere as a "negated T" response (Gacono & Meloy, 1991. ...
... Exner (1986) and others (Klopfer, 1938;Schachtel, 1966) interpreted the texture response as a measure of interpersonal closeness or affectional relatedness. Schachtel (1966) additionally theorized that in some cases texture responses indicated ambivalence surrounding attachment and perhaps a fear of unpleasant skin contact-described elsewhere as a "negated T" response (Gacono & Meloy, 1991. Texture may actually constitute an intrapsychic irritant that, when coupled with sexual deviance and a propensity for violence, in part "energizes" the interpersonal behavior of these sexual murderers. ...
Nonsexually offending psychopaths (N = 32) were compared to sexual homicide perpetrators (N = 38) and nonviolent pedophiles (N = 39) on select Comprehensive System Rorschach variables (Exner et al., 1993). Results indicate similarities among the groups in pathological narcissism, formal thought disorder, and borderline level reality testing. Nonsexually offending psychopaths are distinguished by their lack of interest in and attachment to others and their seemingly conflict-free internal world. While both sexually deviant groups evidenced interest in others and appear to experience a very dysphoric internal world, the sexual homicide perpetrators are distinguished by high levels of obsessional thought and an inability to disengage from environmental stimuli. Pedophiles show significantly more characterological anger, which may stem from their general inadequacy, cognitive rigidness, less alloplastic (acting out) style, and their introversive inability to gratify their needs. Rorschach differences add to our understanding of sexual deviation and violence among these three groups.
... pe of sample distribution, "a significant difference … between these similar groups [becomes] … particularly interesting" (Gacono, 1990, p. 596). The most accurate research findings are likely to result when comparing more extreme scoring participants that have an adequate distribution and a normal range of PCL-R scores (see Loving & Russell, 2000;A. Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1995). Additionally, the impact of degrees of freedom in three group comparisons can statistically wash out true between-group differences (see A. Smith, 1994). ...
... Like those that involve female participants, studies assessing psychopathy in children and adolescents present conceptual problems that have yet to be clarified fully through research. Studies that include positive findings (e.g., Loving, 1998;A. Smith et al., 1995) speak to the applicability of the psychopathy construct in adolescence, the validity of the PCL:YV with certain adolescent populations, and the possible downward extension of certain Rorschach findings from the adult research to these younger samples. Although studies that demonstrate negative or equivocal results may be taken as lack o ...
... Use of this highly unusual method makes the Ponder findings uninterpretable beyond her sample. Although there is a tested procedure for modifying the published PCL-R for use with adolescents (see A. Smith et al., 1995), there is none for Ponder's modification of the unpublished PCL:YV. An additional methodological concern of the same study is the application of inappropriate statistical procedures to the analysis of certain Rorschach data, including the reflection response. ...
In this article we present the reader with an understandable essay on the relation between the Rorschach and psychopathy. Some degree of sophistication and applied knowledge of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Hare, 1991) and the Rorschach (Rorschach, 1921/1942) are necessary to wade through the literature, weigh the relative merits of arguments made by proponents and detractors of Rorschach assessment, and meaningfully interpret the findings of relevant studies. Often studies reviewing the Rorschach's utility in assessing Antisocial Personality Disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and psychopathy exhibit a flawed or superficial understanding of essential theoretical and methodological issues. Argument derived from a suspect or specious premise, such as the notion that the Rorschach was designed or aspires to correspond with formal diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1952, 1994), vitiates conclusions based on such a premise. In this article, we discuss theoretical and methodological issues that can aid the reader or reviewer in achieving a more accurate understanding of this body of research.
... In the process of attempting to understand the potential of psychopathy research to inform the study of girls' aggression it is important to also consider domains of risk that have been highlighted as particularly relevant for girls. Within the larger developmental and clinical literature there is a large body of empirical evidence that links child maltreatment to youth violence (Fergusson & Lynskey, 1997; Smith & Thornberry, 1995; Widom & White, 1997) and a growing body of theoretical and empirical work linking maltreatment experiences and violence within the context of close relationships (Wekerle & Wolfe, 2003; Wolfe, Wekerle, Reitzel-Jaffe, & Lefebvre, 1998). ...
... One of the appeals of psychopathy among adults has been the strong positive associations between aggression and psychopathy ratings over time and across contexts (Hare, 1998; Hemphill, Hare, & Wong, 1998; Rice, Harris, & Cormier, 1992). While a limited body of research exists among adolescents, in general, positive associations have been found between PCL-YV scores and official criminal behavior (Vincent, Corrado, Cohen, & Odgers, 1999), institutional violence (Kosson, Cyterski, Steuerwald, Neumann, & Walker-Mathews, 2002; Murrie, Cornell, Kaplan, McConville, & Levy-Elkon, 2002; Stafford & Cornell, 2003), and self-reported aggression (Forth, unpublished report; Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997). The majority of these studies, however, have either primarily relied or reported on male samples. ...
... Specifically, Deficient Affective Experience demonstrated a weak but significant relationship to both physical and relational forms of aggression. These findings are consistent with previous research (e.g., Forth, unpublished report; Smith et al., 1997). However, the current study extends prior research by demonstrating that the relationship between DAE and aggression disappeared once victimization by a maternal figure was entered into the model. ...
Over the last decade rates of violence among adolescent girls have increased. Within high-risk contexts, urgent calls for assessment options have resulted in the extension of adult and male-based instruments to adolescent females in spite of the absence of strong empirical support. The current study evaluates the downward extension of psychopathy within a population of female juvenile offenders (N=125). The convergent and predictive validity of the Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version (PCL-YV) were evaluated within a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. Results indicated that while a specific component of psychopathy, deficient affective experience, was related to aggression, the effect was negated once victimization experiences were entered into the models. In addition, PCL-YV scores were not predictive of future offending, while victimization experiences significantly increased the odds of re-offending. Implications for research, policy, and clinical practice are discussed.
... The base rate of high psychopathic traits (PCL-YV total ! 25) was relatively low (9.4%) compared with that reported elsewhere for samples of incarcerated adolescents (20-37%; Forth et al., 1990; Gretton, unpublished doctoral dissertation; Jack, Glackman, & Ogloff, 2000;Loving & Russell, 2000; McBride, unpublished doctoral dissertation; Smith et al., 1997). This low base rate was true for both male and female offenders. ...
... Past research has consistently identified a higher potential for aggression and violence among psychopathic adolescents (e.g. Forth et al., 1990;Kosson et al., 2002; Smith et al., 1997) and adults (e.g., Heilbrun et al., 1998;Hemphill, Hare, & Wong, 1998;Salekin, Rogers, & Sewell, 1996). However, the current data only partially supported this association. ...
... Specifically, psychopathic youths are more likely to be diagnosed with childhoodonset Conduct Disorder and present with a greater variety and seriousness of delinquent and antisocial behaviors (e.g. fighting causing serious injury, stealing, vandalism, and purposely killing animals; Gretton, unpublished doctoral disserta- tion; Murrie & Cornell, 2000; Myers, Burket, & Harris, 1995; Rogers, Johansen, Chang, & Salekin, 1997; Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997). Although there are a few exceptions (Brandt et al., 1997; Gretton, unpublished doctoral dissertation), most studies also point to the higher risk of substance abuse, earlier onset for drug use, and experimentation with a greater variety of drugs among psychopathic adolescents (Mailloux, Forth, & Kroner, 1997; Murrie & Cornell, 2000; Toupin, Mercier, Déry, Cô te, & Hodgins, 1996). ...
Although a large body of research has established the relevance of psychopathy to adult offenders, its relevance to adolescent offenders is far less clear. The current study evaluated the clinical, psychosocial and criminal correlates of psychopathic traits in a sample of 226 male and female incarcerated adolescent offenders. According to an 18-item version of the Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version (PCL-YV; Forth, Kosson, & Hare, 2003), only 9.4% exhibited a high level of psychopathic traits (PCL-YV>/=25). Consistent with past research, higher PCL-YV scores were positively associated with self-reported delinquency and aggressive behavior and were unrelated to emotional difficulties. Although higher PCL-YV scores were associated with the experience of physical abuse, the only psychosocial factor to predict PCL-YV scores was a history of non-parental living arrangements (e.g. foster care). In terms of criminality, a violent/versatile criminal history was positively associated with psychopathic traits. However, PCL-YV scores were unrelated to participants' official criminal records for total, non-violent, violent, and technical violation convictions. In conclusion, the data partially support the construct validity of psychopathy with adolescent offenders, but some inconsistencies with prior adult and adolescent psychopathy research were evident. These issues are discussed.
... In some better designed studies, such as Loving and Russell (2000), PCL: Youth Version (PCL:YV) identified that male psychopathic juveniles produced greater numbers of reflections than the other groups examined; no differences between groups in relation to EGOI were found. Smith, Gacono, and Kaufman (1997) also examined this male juvenile population and they did not find any significant differences related to reflections and EGOI; however, those with an EGOI ≥ .54 were higher in the psychopathy group than the non-psychopathic group. ...
... Gacono et al. (1992) found a significant main effect for pairs and EGOI but not reflections in comparing male psychopaths, non-psychopathic males, males diagnosed with NPD, and males diagnosed with BPD (though the psychopaths and NPDs had higher means on reflections and EGOI). These three studies (Gacono et al., 1992;Loving & Russell, 2000;Smith et al., 1997) had methodological problems such as not reporting descriptive information for IQ, R, and Lambda, some had small sample size, and one used one Rorschach protocol with less than 14 responses. Whatever the impact IQ, Responses (R), or Lambda may have had on production of Rorschach variables there is no evidence that they did so in these studies. ...
The Rorschach Comprehensive System Egocentricity Index (EGOI) and its component variables have been useful in understanding antisocial and psychopathic individuals (Gacono & Meloy, 1994; Gacono, Meloy, & Heaven, 1990). In this study, the EGOI, Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) scales and the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) were used with a sample of incarcerated women. The EGOI, Fr + rF, and pairs were examined in relation to PCL-R Items 1 (Glibness/Superficial Charm) and 2 (Grandiose Sense of Self-Worth), PCL-R Factor 1, PCL-R facet 1, and the PAI MAN-G and ANT-E scales. The EGOI and reflections were significantly correlated with PCL-R Item 1 and a combination of PCL-R Items 1 and 2. Unlike highly narcissistic male offenders where grandiosity elevates reflections and EGOI, female psychopaths (PCL-R total score ≥ 30; N = 85) and non-psychopathic females (PCL-R total score ≤ 24; N = 40), did not demonstrate a significant difference for their mean EGOI; however, female psychopaths were more likely to produce protocols with a high EGOI (≥ 0.44) with and without reflections and they had more pairs (a finding consistent with conceptual differences between male and female psychopaths). The utility of the EGOI with incarcerated women is discussed.
... Du côté de la désinhibition et de la prédisposition aux passages à l'acte hétéro-agressifs, plusieurs études ont évalué le risque d'évolution vers la personnalité antisociale, respectivement la psychopathie. Confirmant des résultats de recherche antérieurs [8][9][10], qui avaient trouvé dans le Rorschach d'une partie des adolescents présentant des troubles de la conduite des indices associés à la psychopathie, comme, par exemple, le narcissisme pathologique et le détachement relationnel. Klinteberg et al. [11] ont exploré les facteurs à risque d'évolution vers la personnalité antisociale en étudiant les liens entre quelques indicateurs cognitifs et émotionnels du Rorschach et des questionnaires de personnalité mesurant des traits liés à la psychopathie. ...
... Dans le contexte du dépistage des profils de personnalité à risque, les indices liés à la capacité de mentalisation [15,33] peuvent être considérés comme des facteurs de protection, alors que ceux liés au fonctionnement opératoire [16,34] peuvent indiquer un nonaboutissement provisoire ou définitif de la quête d'identité et conduire à un pronostic réservé. D'autre part, les indices liés à la désinhibition et donc à un déficit de la capacité de mentalisation ont été mis en relation avec le danger d'un parcours criminel [8,11,27]. La deuxième dimension latente dégagée, à savoir le contrôle émotionnel, opposée à l'absence de contrôle pourrait indiquer, par son pôle négatif, un risque d'évolution vers la personnalité limite [3,35,36], alors que la troisième dimension, l'intégration sociale opposée au retrait, pourrait indiquer, par son pôle négatif, un risque d'évolution vers la personnalité évitante, telle qu'elle était admise à titre provisoire dans le DSM-IV. ...
... Du côté de la désinhibition et de la prédisposition aux passages à l'acte hétéro-agressifs, plusieurs études ont évalué le risque d'évolution vers la personnalité antisociale, respectivement la psychopathie. Confirmant des résultats de recherche antérieurs [8][9][10], qui avaient trouvé dans le Rorschach d'une partie des adolescents présentant des troubles de la conduite des indices associés à la psychopathie, comme, par exemple, le narcissisme pathologique et le détachement relationnel. Klinteberg et al. [11] ont exploré les facteurs à risque d'évolution vers la personnalité antisociale en étudiant les liens entre quelques indicateurs cognitifs et émotionnels du Rorschach et des questionnaires de personnalité mesurant des traits liés à la psychopathie. ...
... Dans le contexte du dépistage des profils de personnalité à risque, les indices liés à la capacité de mentalisation [15,33] peuvent être considérés comme des facteurs de protection, alors que ceux liés au fonctionnement opératoire [16,34] peuvent indiquer un nonaboutissement provisoire ou définitif de la quête d'identité et conduire à un pronostic réservé. D'autre part, les indices liés à la désinhibition et donc à un déficit de la capacité de mentalisation ont été mis en relation avec le danger d'un parcours criminel [8,11,27]. La deuxième dimension latente dégagée, à savoir le contrôle émotionnel, opposée à l'absence de contrôle pourrait indiquer, par son pôle négatif, un risque d'évolution vers la personnalité limite [3,35,36], alors que la troisième dimension, l'intégration sociale opposée au retrait, pourrait indiquer, par son pôle négatif, un risque d'évolution vers la personnalité évitante, telle qu'elle était admise à titre provisoire dans le DSM-IV. ...
Background:
In adolescence, a component of a successful identity quest consists in elaborating the aggressiveness, be it endured or acted out, in an imaginary and symbolic manner. We will present a comparative study between anxious and violent adolescents, based on the Rorschach test. As the handling of aggressiveness by means of various defense mechanisms and coping strategies contributes to the construction of a sense of reality and of coherent representations of oneself and the others, the Rorschach test is a pertinent tool to study the vicissitudes of the identity quest of medium adolescence. On the other hand, many studies demonstrate that it is also a precious tool allowing diagnosis of the risks of evolution towards character pathology and personality disorders belonging to cluster B of the DSM, or towards emotional disorders and suicidal tendencies. Thus, it can help initiating appropriate therapeutic measures in a spirit of tertiary prevention.
Methods:
We present a comparative study between a sample of 20 adolescents suffering from anxiety and inhibition of aggressiveness (subgroup anxiety) and a second sample of 20 adolescents suffering from exteriorized aggressiveness and violent behavior (subgroup violence). The inclusion into the subgroups was based on clinical interviews and a thorough psychological assessment, using the criteria of categorical psychopathology. The comparative study between the two subgroups is based on an original rating scale constructed in the phenomenological and structural tradition, reflecting the global judgment of the experienced clinical psychologist. It permits using the Rorschach test as a research tool by making the step from qualitative analysis towards quantification and the use of inferential and multidimensional statistics. It also allows computing correlations between the Rorschach test and psychometric scales or other projective tests, using specific rating scales of the same type.
Results:
After showing the descriptive demographic data, we present the results of the comparative between groups study (computed by means of Mann-Whitney's U test) and those of the multidimensional study (computed by means of the optimal scaling procedure HOMALS). The comparative study indicates that, with adolescents suffering from anxiety and inhibition, the emotional and relational needs are much greater, as is the tendency to direct one's aggressiveness against one self. Mentalization, documented by the richness, the originality, the level of integration and the maturity of associations is better developed in this subgroup. In the subgroup of adolescents characterized by exteriorized aggressiveness and violent behavior, the ambiguity of the stimulus causes perplexity, slowing down executive functions. The latent dimensions, extracted with the help of optimal scaling procedures, are meaningful at the light of current clinical psychology and create a typology of the adjustment to aggressive drives. They tend to illustrate the pertinence of the rating scale as a research tool and contribute in demonstrating its construct validity.
Discussion and conclusion:
The data of the comparative and multidimensional study are discussed in relationship with open questions in developmental and clinical psychology of adolescence. They highlight the role of the Rorschach test as a means to differentiate between temporary and long-term difficulties related to aggressiveness, as well as to show similarities and differences at the structural level of personality functioning between subgroups with interiorized and exteriorized aggressiveness. The psychological meaning of the latent dimensions, extracted with the help of optimal scaling techniques, are discussed in light of the recent research literature. Rorschach profiles can help indicate risks of evolution towards personality pathology at adult age. Let us stress that our latent dimensions are not focused on aggressiveness itself but rather on control functions liable to modulate its expression. Using the Rorschach test in pretest and posttest situation and exploring the change occurring during the psychotherapeutic interventions with the help of the rating scale (application of optimal scaling on Delta values) could open interesting tracks for future research in the realm of outcome and process evaluation of psychotherapies.
... Evaluators should also be familiar with a growing database of forensic Rorschach samples (Bannatyne, Gacono, & Greene, 1999;Cunliffe & Gacono, 2008;Gacono, Meloy, & Bridges, 2000Singer, Hoppe, Lee, Olesen, & Walters, 2008), keeping in mind how these samples differ from Exner's nonpatient and clinical norms (Exner & Erdberg, 2005). A series of studies with antisocial and psychopathic patients (Gacono, 1988(Gacono, , 1990Gacono & Meloy, 1991, 1992, 1994Gacono, Meloy, & Heaven, 1990;Meloy, Gacono, & Kenney, 1994;Young et al., 2000) have validated the use of the Rorschach as a nomothetically sensitive instrument in discriminating between psychopathic ASPD and nonpsychopathic ASPD subjects (also see Smith, Gacono, &Kaufman, 1995, andRussell, 2000, for an extension of these findings to conduct-disordered adolescents), and supported the assertion that these individuals ...
... Evaluators should also be familiar with a growing database of forensic Rorschach samples (Bannatyne, Gacono, & Greene, 1999;Cunliffe & Gacono, 2008;Gacono, Meloy, & Bridges, 2000Singer, Hoppe, Lee, Olesen, & Walters, 2008), keeping in mind how these samples differ from Exner's nonpatient and clinical norms (Exner & Erdberg, 2005). A series of studies with antisocial and psychopathic patients (Gacono, 1988(Gacono, , 1990Gacono & Meloy, 1991, 1992, 1994Gacono, Meloy, & Heaven, 1990;Meloy, Gacono, & Kenney, 1994;Young et al., 2000) have validated the use of the Rorschach as a nomothetically sensitive instrument in discriminating between psychopathic ASPD and nonpsychopathic ASPD subjects (also see Smith, Gacono, &Kaufman, 1995, andRussell, 2000, for an extension of these findings to conduct-disordered adolescents), and supported the assertion that these individuals ...
The assessment of antisocial and psychopathic personalities presents special challenges for the forensic evaluator. This chapter emphasizes use of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), Rorschach, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for a comprehensive evaluation of these patients. These measures lend incremental validity to understanding these difficult patients, especially when combined with testing of intelligence and cognitive functioning. Integrating data from multiple domains is essential to answering the psycholegal and forensic treatment questions surrounding the antisocial and psychopathic patient. The forensically trained clinical psychologist is best suited to assess psychopathy, a task that historically has been overlooked or avoided in traditional mental health settings.
... That is, high Lambda youth lack the cognitive f lexibility required to utilize alternatives to violence, and low Lambda youth are drawn into emotional situations, become overwhelmed, and act impulsively. The RIM has also been used specifically in the assessment of CD, antisocial, and psychopathic personalities Loving & Russell, 2000;Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997). Although the RIM does not determine the presence of psychopathy, it provides unique information that complements PCL: YV findings (Gacono, 1998). ...
... Two additional published studies are particularly noteworthy. Smith et al. (1997) examined the RIM variables of a community sample of juvenile offenders according to high-and low-scoring psychopathy groups based on an acceptable modification of the PCL-R. Then, Loving and Russell (2000) studied a similar sample of youth using the PCL: YV. ...
This study provides Rorschach Inkblot Method (RIM) and Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV) descriptive data for a sample (N = 63) of conduct-disordered (CD) male adolescents in an alternative education school setting. The research is based upon the doctoral dissertation completed by Talkington in 2009. Results indicate that, while the Rorschach protocols of these youth accurately reflect the cognitive and emotional impoverishment of the group (IQ = M = 76.79; R = M = 16.34; Lambda = M = 1.13), their constriction makes them less useful for differentiation based on psychopathy level. Implications for treatment according to the emotional, social, and cognitive functioning of this population, and as related to the practice of school psychologists, are presented.
... Most studies selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis used the PCL-R cutoff score of 29/30 to distinguish psychopaths from nonpsychopaths, just as Gacono and Meloy (1994) did. However, three studies were included whose cut points deviated minimally from the general rule: (a) Smith et al. (1997) used a cutoff of 28/29 on the PCL-R to identify psychopaths in a sample of adolescents; (b) Siemsen (1999, p. 72) used a cutoff of 27/28 on the PCL-R to identify psychopaths in a forensic mentally ill sample, citing a private communication from Robert Hare (August, 1998) which follows a different scoring scheme than did the PCL-R and, therefore, has different cut points. ...
... However, an examination of relevant studies revealed that they generally neglected to provide sufficient information to either test these hypotheses statistically or to use them in a meta-analysis. For example, regarding W:M, only one study (Smith, 1995; see also Smith et al., 1997) actually reported the calculated ratio W:M for each participant, reported this variable's mean and standard deviation, and reported the statistically tested difference between psychopaths and nonpsychopaths (no significant difference was found). All other studies, including the book by Gacono and Meloy (1994), adopted an alternative approach: Specifically, they calculated the group means of W and M and then reported the ratio of these two means as if it were the group mean of W:M. ...
Gacono and Meloy (2009) have concluded that the Rorschach Inkblot Test is a sensitive instrument with which to discriminate psychopaths from nonpsychopaths. We examined the association of psychopathy with 37 Rorschach variables in a meta-analytic review of 173 validity coefficients derived from 22 studies comprising 780 forensic participants. All studies included the Hare Psychopathy Checklist or one of its versions (Hare, 1980, 1991, 2003) and Exner's (2003) Comprehensive System for the Rorschach. Mean validity coefficients of Rorschach variables in the meta-analysis ranged from -.113 to .239, with a median validity of .070 and a mean validity of .062. Psychopathy displayed a significant and medium-sized association with the number of Aggressive Potential responses (weighted mean validity coefficient = .232) and small but significant associations with the Sum of Texture responses, Cooperative Movement = 0, the number of Personal responses, and the Egocentricity Index (weighted mean validity coefficients = .097 to .159). The remaining 32 Rorschach variables were not significantly related to psychopathy. The present findings contradict the view that the Rorschach is a clinically sensitive instrument for discriminating psychopaths from nonpsychopaths.
... In a sample of adolescents diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD), Smith, Gacono, and Kaufman (1997) reported that AG was higher in psychopathic than nonpsychopathic CD adolescents. However, the mean for both groups were below Exner's (1990) norms for nonpatient 15-year-olds. ...
... Overall, the data appear to support the reliability, validity, and utility of AgC with delinquent youth. This study yielded findings consistent with earlier studies that have supported the reliability and validity of extended Rorschach variables with antisocial adults (Gacono & Meloy, 1994), adolescents with CD (Smith et al., 1997), and adult outpatients (Baity & Hilsenroth, 1999, 2002. In addition, results lend further support for the inclusion of AgC in the Comprehensive System's list of Special Scores (Exner, 1993). ...
In this investigation, we assessed the reliability and validity of 5 Rorschach aggression variables (AG, A1, A2, AgC, and AgPast) in a sample of adjudicated, mostly conduct-disordered adolescents (N = 150). More specifically, we assessed the interrelationships of Rorschach aggression variables using correlational analyses and factor analysis and assessed the relationships between Rorschach variables and a measure of aggressive potential (the Manifest Aggression scale from the Jesness Inventory; Jesness, 1996) as well as a measure of real-world aggression/violence (the Violence Rating Scale-Revised [VRS-R]; Young, Justice, & Erdberg, 1997). Two of Gacono and Meloy's (1994) Rorschach aggression variables were dropped from the study (AgPot and SM) due to a low frequency of occurrence. All 5 of the remaining Rorschach aggression variables and the VRS-R were rated reliably, and factor analysis of the Rorschach variables revealed 2 distinct factors accounting for 71% of the total variance. Only the AgC variable concurrently predicted aggressive potential and aggressive/violent behavior. Results lend further support for the inclusion of AgC in the Comprehensive System's (Exner, 1993) list of Special Scores.
... This resulted in an 18 item 38 point scale. Consequently, in studies such asSmith, Gacono, & Kaufman (1997), a score of 29 was used as the psychopathy cut-off score. As can be seen, this cut-off was not lowered; rather, the 29 score (out of 38) is an even more stringent cut-off than the > 30 used with the 40 point PCL-R.5 ...
... Le test de Rorschach est bien adapté à l'exploration des vicissitudes de la quête d'identité et de l'é laboration de la violence interne, puisqu'il permet d'é tudier la repré sentation de soi et d'autrui, la maturité é motionnelle, l'adhé sion à la ré alité socialement admise et les straté gies d'é laboration par rapport à la violence interne et externe [6,22,39,54]. Kleiger [29] donne un aperçu sur les lectures et les possibilité s d'interpré tation les plus courantes. ...
L’élaboration imaginaire et symbolique de l’agressivité interne, ainsi que de l’angoisse qui l’accompagne, joue un rôle très important dans la quête d’identité de l’adolescence moyenne. Différentes perspectives théoriques s’accordent à souligner la différence entre l’agressivité saine, au sens d’affirmation de soi, et la violence aveugle, qu’elle soit dirigée contre soi-même ou contre autrui. Le test de Rorschach peut être un instrument privilégié pour l’étude de l’orientation et du niveau d’élaboration de la violence interne.
Nous présentons une étude comparative entre 3 sous-groupes cliniques d’adolescents souffrant d’anxiété, de troubles de la conduite ou s’étant livrés à des passages à l’acte suicidaires (N total = 60). La recherche se base, d’un côté, sur une étude comparative des psychogrammes, avec utilisation des statistiques non paramétriques, d’un autre côté, sur l’analyse qualitative détaillée du style d’expression dans les 3 sous-groupes, avec le but d’ identifier des configurations typiques d’élaboration de la pulsion agressive. Nos résultats sont illustrés au moyen de vignettes cliniques contrastées.
De l’étude se dégagent quelques pistes innovantes pour la recherche diagnostique, ainsi que pour l’évaluation des psychothérapies.
... The primary aim of the current study was to compare the attachment styles of individuals who reported a history of childhood psychological maltreatment 1 A handful of researchers have examined various Rorschach variables under the assumption that these variables reveal information about an individual's attachment dynamics (see, for example, Broeking, 2008;Fowler, Brunnschwiler, Swales, & Brock, 2005;Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997); however, there appears to have been little effort to objectively examine the validity of using these variables to infer attachmentrelated information. One exception was a study by Berant, Mikulincer, Shaver, and Segal (2005). ...
... Hoge and have recommended a number of standardized measures of general family functioning for use with antisocial youth. Examples of these measures are the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales -II (Olson, Partner, & Lavee, 1985), the McMaster Family Assessment Device (Epstein, Baldwin, & Bishop, 1983), the Family Assessment Measure III (Skinner, Steinhauer, & Santa-Barbara, 1983), the Family Beliefs Inventory (Roehling & Robin, 1986), the Family Environment Scale (FES; Moos & Moos, 1986), and the Family Events Checklist (Patterson, Reid, & Dishion, 1992). ...
... h has been found to be sensitive to a number of issues in child and adolescent assessment, including cognitive functioning (Acklin, 1990;Acklin & Fechner-Bates, 1989;Cruz, Brier, & Reznikoff, 1997;Wood, Krishnamurthy, & Archer, 2003), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (Bartell & Solanto, 1995), aggression (Liebman, Porcerelli, & Abell, 2005;A. M. Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997), posttraumatic stress disorder (Holaday, 2000), thought disorder (S. R. Smith, Baity, Knowles, & Hilsenroth, 2001;Stokes, Pogge, Grosso, & Zaccario, 2001), and treatment outcome (Abraham, Lepisto, Lewis, Schultz, & Finkelberg, 1994). Furthermore, the general reliability and validity of this measure has been supported in a number of stud ...
This article addresses a 2006 article by Hojnoski, Morrison, Brown, and Matthews on the use of performance-based measurement among school-based practitioners. Their results suggest that many of their survey respondents favor the use of this form of measurement. This line of research is important and addresses an important issue in current clinical practice. However, they offer a critique of this form of assessment, in response to which the author raises four issues. First, there is a difference between tests and techniques. Second, assessment tools do not make decisions or diagnoses; clinicians do. Third, actuarial prediction and clinical expertise are mutually enhancing. Last, the relationship between science and practice should be bidirectional and integrative. These points are discussed in terms of the utility and appropriateness of performance-based measurement tools and techniques for helping psychologists answer diagnostic, placement, and treatment questions in the school setting.
... Cependant, même en absence de traits narcissiques, les sujets très préoccupés par l'image de soi ou ses caractéristiques tendent à négliger le monde extérieur. Elle est ainsi associée à des tactiques défensives inefficaces, des fluctuations de l'humeur, des problèmes relationnels, des comportements antisociaux [9,28]. ...
Cette recherche explore le rôle de l’estime de soi et de la centration sur soi dans l’ajustement socioaffectif des enfants et des adolescents intellectuellement surdoués. Soixante-dix-huit sujets âgés de neuf à 15 ans et ayant un QI supérieur ou égal à 130 au WISC-III ont participé à cette étude. Il s’agit d’une population scolarisée dans des établissements scolaires classiques et non suivie en pédopsychiatrie. L’estime de soi est évaluée avec l’inventaire de l’estime de soi de Coopersmith (SEI). Nous utilisons le Rorschach en système intégré (SI) pour évaluer la centration sur soi (index EGO). Les parents ont rempli la liste de comportements pour les enfants d’Achenbach (CBCL) qui permet d’opérationnaliser l’ajustement socioaffectif en termes d’absence de problèmes émotionnels et comportementaux (absence de psychopathologie). L’estime de soi est fortement corrélée à l’ajustement socioaffectif. Une faible estime de soi est liée à la fois à des troubles intériorisés et extériorisés. Une haute estime de soi peut être considérée comme une catégorie hétérogène. Une haute estime de soi associée à une centration sur soi excessive au Rorschach a une influence moins positive sur l’ajustement socioaffectif qu’une haute estime de soi associée à une faible centration sur soi. La combinaison haute estime de soi et centration sur soi excessive pourrait correspondre à la notion d’une haute estime de soi défensive.
... Retrospective file-based psychopathy (PCL-R) total scores were lower among our YSOs than in mixed young forensic samples (24,41,42). The average scores were higher than in adult samples of child molesters (43) and identical to or lower than among adult rapists (43,44). ...
This is a descriptive study based on a file review of all 56 young (15-20 years old) sex offenders (YSOs) referred for forensic psychiatric assessment in Sweden during 1988-1995. Reliably extractable data, including file-based psychopathy ratings with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991), were obtained from the complete clinical files of all offenders. Historical and clinical offender characteristics and victim and crime-related features are described and discussed in light of earlier reports. Hyperactivity/inattention, language disorders, and neurologic/neuropsychiatric disorders were prevalent in the histories of the offenders, but only a few were diagnosed as having psychopathy. We conclude that the studied YSOs in most respects were similar to subjects in various North American and British samples in exhibiting an array of individual and psychosocial risk factors, academic failure, and juvenile delinquency. These similarities support the concept that experiences and models from foreign settings could be applied in the development of empirically based assessment and treatment procedures for YSOs in Sweden, and possibly in other Nordic countries.
... Somatic complaints of burn patients, parent ratings 104 1 Spinal cord injury (paraplegic and tetraplegic) vs. nonclinical 17 Egocentricity Index: Egocentricity, Either Narcissistic or Distress-Related (if High) or Negative Self-Image (if Below Low Cutpoint) High 1 Egocentric earliest memory 163 2 Narcissistic PD vs. other PD patients (borderline, nonpsychopathic antisocial) or nonclinical 78,102 1 Psychopathic offenders vs. nonclinical 73 3 Psychopathy, degree within offender samples 78,130,182 Below Low Cutpoint 1 Major depressive disorder (severe, recurrent) patients vs. nonclinical 84 1 Suicide attempters vs. inpatient controls 10 Reflections: Narcissistic Tendencies 1 Narcissistic vs. borderline or nonpsychopathic antisocial PDs 78 1 Narcissistic PD total criteria 102 7 Psychopathy, degree within offender samples (4) or vs. nonclinical (3) 45,61,73,79,80,130,182 1 Sentence Completion Blank (scored for narcissism) 61 5 Sex offenders vs. nonclinical (2) or non-sex offender (2) 30,39,79,207 Vista: Emotionally Negative Self-Evaluation 2 Bulimic vs. nonbulimic college students 183,184 1 [ Ϫ]CSF 5-HIAA (measure of serotonin turnover) in suicide-attempt patients 131 7 Depression-related disorders vs. other disorders (4) or controls (3; mostly nonclinical) 5,6,8,37,84,100,134 1 Pedophile, nonviolent vs. psychopathic 79 4 [ Ϫ]Psychopathy vs. other offenders (2) or nonclinical (2) 61,73,78,130 1 Sexually abused (genital contact) vs. medical patients (not in physical distress) 175 3 Suicide attempters vs. other inpatients (1) or nonclinical (2) [ Ϫ]Asperger's disorder vs. behavior-and emotional-problem controls 105 1 [ Ϫ]Autistic disorder vs. nonclinical 57 1 [ Ϫ]Autogenous (schizotypal-related) OCD vs. nonautogenous anxiety patients 123 3 [ Ϫ]Borderline personality (2) or borderline and Cluster A PD vs. controls (mostly nonclinical) 101,147,160 2 [ Ϫ]Depressed (mostly patients) vs. controls (mostly nonclinical) 100,134 1 ...
[See Table 4 for Rorschach variables Assessing Psychosis] We systematically evaluated the peer-reviewed Rorschach validity literature for the 65 main variables in the popular Comprehensive System (CS). Across 53 meta-analyses examining variables against externally assessed criteria (e.g., observer ratings, psychiatric diagnosis), the mean validity was r = .27 (k = 770) as compared to r = .08 (k = 386) across 42 meta-analyses examining variables against introspectively assessed criteria (e.g., self-report). Using Hemphill's (2003) data-driven guidelines for interpreting the magnitude of assessment effect sizes with only externally assessed criteria, we found 13 variables had excellent support (r ≥ .33, p < .001; ∴ FSN > 50), 17 had good support (r ≥ .21, p < .05, FSN ≥ 10), 10 had modest support (p < .05 and either r ≥ .21, FSN < 10, or r = .15-.20, FSN ≥ 10), 13 had little (p < .05 and either r = < .15 or FSN < 10) or no support (p > .05), and 12 had no construct-relevant validity studies. The variables with the strongest support were largely those that assess cognitive and perceptual processes (e.g., Perceptual-Thinking Index, Synthesized Response); those with the least support tended to be very rare (e.g., Color Projection) or some of the more recently developed scales (e.g., Egocentricity Index, Isolation Index). Our findings are less positive, more nuanced, and more inclusive than those reported in the CS test manual. We discuss study limitations and the implications for research and clinical practice, including the importance of using different methods in order to improve our understanding of people. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).
... The empirical assessment of youthful psychopathy began in the late 1980s (Forth, Hart, & Hare, 1990) with the PCL-R research (see). The discovery that some of the original PCL-R items (e.g., parasitic lifestyle, many short-term marital relationships) were not appropriate for younger offenders resulted in the development of an 18-item modified version of the PCL-R for adolescents (Brandt, Kennedy, Patrick, & Curtin, 1997; Forth t al., 1990; Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997), and eventually, to the development of the 20-item PCL:YV. While the PCL:YV is similar to the PCL-R, there are two important differences. ...
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997) requires identification of emotional disturbance by special education criteria. It also requires that emotional disturbance be distinguished from social maladjustment. In some cases, a thorough evaluation of the child's character pathology can aid in this determination. While methods such as the Rorschach, BASC, and MMPI-A are useful in understanding behavior and personality, psychopathy assessment may be particularly useful for organizing opinions in this matter. In this article we discuss the relevance of psychopathy's two-factor structure in formulating a schema for making the differentiation between emotional disturbance and social maladjustment and review methods for gathering information about this troublesome aspect of character pathology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 849–860, 2004.
... Cependant, même en absence de traits narcissiques, les sujets très préoccupés par l'image de soi ou ses caractéristiques tendent à négliger le monde extérieur. Elle est ainsi associée à des tactiques défensives inefficaces, des fluctuations de l'humeur, des problèmes relationnels, des comportements antisociaux [9,28]. ...
There is an ongoing debate of how giftedness affects social-emotional adjustment. Self-esteem may be an indicator of social-emotional adjustment but insufficient in its explanatory capacity, especially high self-esteem which tends to produce opposite responses in regards to adjustment. A distinction between defensive and genuine high self-esteem could account for these results. In order to understand how self-esteem operates on social-emotional adjustment, it should be associated with other measurements relating to self-concern. In the Rorschach comprehensive system (CS), egocentricity index measures self-centeredness, which can be defined as the balance between self-concern and concern for others. High self-concern is associated with a neglect of the others. Operationalized here, as the interaction of high self-esteem and excessive self-concern, defensive high self-esteem should predict maladaptive outcomes.
Participants were aged from 9 to 15 years old, with an IQ greater or equal to 130 on the WISC-III. They were attending regular classes and were not in counseling or psychotherapy. Children and adolescents were administrated the Rorschach CS and the Coopersmith self-esteem inventory. Parents completed the child behaviour checklist (CBCL) which assesses general psychopathology.
Seventy-eight subjects' data satisfy the conditions of validity of the instruments used. Gifted boys present more behavior and emotional problems than gifted girls in this study. Self-esteem predicts social-emotional adjustment. There is an interaction between self-esteem and self-concern on psychopathology only for high values of self-esteem. Gifted with high self-esteem associated with high self-concern are more vulnerable to maladjustment than high self-esteem associated with low self-concern. Gifted children and adolescents with low self-esteem experience more problems anyhow.
These findings reinforce the view that the gifted are a diverse group in terms of social-emotional adjustment and self-esteem. Self-esteem operates as a valuable resource for the social-emotional adjustment of gifted children and adolescents but only under some conditions. Low self-esteem gifted seem to be at more risk of maladjustment, but that does not mean any causal relationship. Gifted children and adolescents with high self-esteem can be considered as a heterogeneous category. High self-esteem associated to excessive self-concern has less beneficial effects on adjustment than high self-esteem associated to low self-concern.
... Subsequent studies have proven the checklist useful with similar offenders in the United States and Europe (Cooke, 1995; Gacono & Meloy, 1994; Gacono, Meloy, Sheppard, Speth, & Roske, 1995; Haapasalo & Pulkkinen, 1992; Koivisto & Haapasalo, 1996 ). Also, the PCL-R appears functional in the assessment of male juvenile delinquents ( Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997 ), adolescent psychiatric patients with impulse-control problems (Myers, Burket, & Harris, 1995; Stanford, Ebner, Patton, & Williams, 1994), and, in a modified version, conduct-disordered children (Christian, Frick, Hill, Tyler, & Frazer, 1997; Frick, O'Brien, Wootton, & McBurnett, 1994). Psychopathy assessed with the PCL-R predicts violent criminal recidivism, even after controlling for the effects of criminal history and relevant demographic characteristics (Hart, Kropp, & Hare, 1988; Serin, 1996; Serin &Amos, 1995; Serin, Peters, & Barbaree, 1990), as well as violent and sexual reoffending among sex offenders (Furr, 1993; Quinsey, Rice, & Harris, 1995; Rice, Harris, & Quinsey, 1990). ...
A rapidly emerging consensus recognizes Hare's Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991) as the most valid and useful instrument to assess psychopathy (Fulero, 1995; Stone, 1995). We compared independent clinical PCL-R ratings of 40 forensic adult male criminal offenders to retrospective file-only ratings. File-based PCL-R ratings, in comparison to the clinical ratings, yielded categorical psychopathy diagnoses with a sensitivity of .57 and a specificity of .96. The intraclass correlation (ICC) of the total scores as estimated by ICC(2,1) was .88, and was markedly better on Factor 2, ICC(2,1) = .89, than on Factor 1, ICC(2,1) = .69. The findings support the belief that for research purposes, file-only PCL-R ratings based on Swedish forensic psychiatric investigation records can be made with good alternate-form reliability.
... Aron (1982) reported data that a Rorschach anxiety scale was able to discriminate between participants who reported experiencing either a high or low number of stressful life events; however, Aron's (1980) dissertation also included analyses that found several CS variables were unable to discriminate between the two groups. In a rare instance of public disclosure of selective reporting, a recent erratum by Smith, Gacono, and Kaufman (1998) indicated that the published article (Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997) and the dissertation on which the article was based reached almost diametrically opposed conclusions about the validity of the Rorschach (see Wood et al., 2000, for more details). It is likely that some selective reporting occurs in all research literatures, and it is obvious that all researchers need to exercise good judgment to ensure that selective reporting does not occur. ...
In the previous Special Section, the authors presented empirical evidence and logical analysis that were sufficient to demonstrate that the widespread use of the Rorschach in clinical, legal, forensic, and occupational settings is unwarranted on both scientific and ethical grounds (J. Hunsley & J. M. Bailey, 1999). To expand on their analysis and to respond to issues raised in the previous and current Special Sections, they begin their article by examining a number of conceptual issues that are at the heart of the disagreements about the Rorschach. The focus is then shifted to the central issue of clinical utility, with an emphasis on why current research is insufficient to demonstrate the utility of the Rorschach. Next, the psychometric issues raised by Weiner (2001) are addressed and an alternative perspective on the psychometric viability of the Rorschach is provided. Finally, the authors conclude with some suggestions for future directions that must be taken in research to address the substantive concerns raised by Rorschach critics.
... High emotional, humanitarian and societal costs and the association with substance abuse and criminality, has led researchers to look for precursors or correlates to psychopathy in adolescence and childhood (20)(21)(22). PCL-R psychopathy has been found to correlate with intrainstitutional violence among incarcerated juvenile delinquents (23)(24)(25)(26), early onset, aggressive, violent or pervasive conduct disorder or criminal offending (23)(24)(25)(26)(27) and substance abuse disorder (25,28) in adolescent offenders. In one study (25), psychopathic young offenders more often self-reported having committed arson, being coercive and controlling with girlfriends or having used force or pressure to obtain sexual contact with a female against her will. ...
To investigate the predictive validity of psychopathic personality traits (assessed with the revised psychopathy checklist, PCL-R; Hare, 1991) for violent criminal recidivism among young offenders.
The relationship between PCL-R psychopathy and violent re-offending was studied in 98 young (M=18.40, range 15-20 years) violent and sex offenders subjected to forensic psychiatric evaluation in Sweden during 1988-95. Subjects were followed during detainment and for 24 months in the community to first reconviction for a violent offence.
We found a modest but significant association between PCL-R scores and violent recidivism, almost exclusively accounted for by behavioural criteria. Among 13 possible confounders tested, conduct disorder before age 15 and a young age at first conviction eliminated the relationship between psychopathy and violent recidivism in pair-wise logistic regression models.
PCL-R psychopathy may be a less valid predictor for violent criminal recidivism among severe youthful offenders than among adult offenders.
... There has been some study of the emergence of psychopathic symptoms in childhood, particularly affective symptoms (Lahey & Kazdin, 1990;Robins & Rutter, 1990). Other studies have begun to explore the presence of psychopathic symptoms in adolescents (Forth, Hart, & Hare, 1990;Mailloux, Forth, & Kroner, 1997;Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997). Several studies have developed evidence for the construct validity of measures to assess psychopathic characteristics in adolescents (Brandt, Kennedy, Patrick, & Curtin, 1997;Chandler & Moran, 1990;Forth et al., 1990;Kosson, Cyterski, Steuerwald, Neumann, & Walker-Matthews, 2002;Trevethen & Walker, 1989). ...
Psychopathy is a condition with important consequences both for individuals who experience it and for the communities in which they live. Although the assessment of psychopathy among adolescents remains controversial, some evidence suggests that the affective and behavioral traits of adult psychopathy begin to emerge in childhood (B. B. Lahey & A. Kazdin, 1990) and continue across the lifespan (A. E. Forth, S. D. Hart, & R. D. Hare, 1990). The present study used the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; A. E. Forth, S. D. Kosson, & R. D. Hare, in press) to retrospectively assess psychopathic characteristics, treatment process, and outcomes of 64 individuals referred for treatment to a substance abuse program for adjudicated adolescents. This study focused on the relationship between psychopathic characteristics and treatment process and outcome variables, including attrition rates, quality of participation, substance use throughout treatment, clinical improvement, and 12-month recidivism rates. Psychopathic characteristics were negatively related to treatment process and outcome variables, including attrition, participation, substance use, and clinical improvement. Psychopathic characteristics were positively related to the number of arrests in the 12 months following treatment completion. Implications for treatment and future research with adolescents displaying psychopathic characteristics are discussed.
... The similar frequencies for reflection responses in our groups argue against the presence of the grandiose self-structure operating in male psychopaths (Gacono et al., 1990;Loving & Russell, 2000;Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1995;Young et al., 2000). Rather, the female psychopath struggles with a hysterical need for attention and admiration from others (Millon & Davis, 1996) to mediate the effects of chronic dissatisfaction and self-criticism. ...
Although male psychopathy has been linked to histrionic, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorders (ASPD), less is known about female psychopathy. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and the Rorschach were used to explore the personality functioning of 45 incarcerated female offenders with ASPD delineated by their psychopathy level. Psychopaths (PCL-R > or = 30) and nonpsychopaths (PCL-R < 24) were compared on Rorschach measures of self-perception, interpersonal relatedness, and reality testing. Compared to female offenders with ASPD who were nonpsychopathic, female offenders with ASPD who were psychopathic exhibited marked disturbances in self-perception, interpersonal relatedness, and reality testing. Our findings highlight the heterogeneity of the ASPD diagnosis in women, support the utility of the psychopathy construct with female offenders, and implicate important differences between men and women with ASPD. These gender differences have relevance to the evaluation (PCL-R scoring) and treatment of female offenders. Our findings are discussed within the context of the female psychopath's hypothesized hysterical character style.
... Impaired ability to form close attachments and problems in relation to interpersonal intimacy is one of the general findings throughout the Rorschach literature on violent and psychopathic individuals (e.g. Gacono & Meloy, 1991; Greco & Cornell, 1992; Smith et al., 1997; Weber, Gacono, & Meloy, 1992 ). Attachment disturbances in antisocial populations have also been documented using other psychological assessment methods (e.g., Frodi, Dernevik, Sepa, Philipson, & Bragesjø, 2001). Third, the few m and the lack of Sum Y among the VOs indicate less internal distress than what might be sensible. ...
We examined discriminant and convergent validity of theoretically relevant Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) variables (Exner, 2003) and Meloy and Gacono's (1992) aggression variables in distinguishing between imprisoned violent offenders (VO) who were psychopathic (P-VO) and nonpsychopathic (NP-VO) under psychiatric treatment, schizophrenic inpatients (ISs), and university students (USs). A total of 7 of 12 variables discriminated significantly between P-VO and NP-VO, which suggests more aggressive, cognitive, and interpersonal disturbances among P-VO. We also found significant differences between VOs, ISs, and USs. Logistic regression analyses revealed that AgPast accumulated incrementally in the classification of P-VO versus NP-VO, and AgC accumulated incrementally in the classification of VO versus IS when entered after CS variables. The findings support the view that psychopathy is a distinctive form of antisocial personality disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) organized at a more severe pathological level.
... Reliability and validity estimates of the Rorschach are described extensively elsewhere (Exner, 1993(Exner, , 2003Exner & Weiner, 1995;Viglione, 1999;Viglione & Hilsenroth, 2001;Wagner, Alexander, Roos, & Adair, 1986;Weiner, 1996Weiner, , 1997. For example, research studies with children suggest that various conceptually related Rorschach scores reflect developmentally appropriate trends in emotional modulation and perceptual accuracy (Weiner, 1996), relate to measures of global cognitive functioning (Wood, Krishnamurthy, & Archer, 2003), learning disability status (Acklin, 1990;Acklin & Fechner-Bates, 1989;Cruz, Brier, & Reznikoff, 1997), and are reflective of thought disorder (Smith, Baity, Knowles, & Hilsenroth, 2001;Stokes, Pogge, Grosso, & Zaccario, 2001), conduct disorder (Liebman, Porcerelli, & Abell, 2005;Smith, Gacono, & Kaufman, 1997); PTSD (Holaday, 2000), and ADHD (Bartell & Solanto, 1995). Because of their purported relationship to aspects of visual processing, organization, and representation and perceptual accuracy (Exner, 1993(Exner, , 2000, the following Rorschach variables were examined: DQ, FQ, Zd, location (W, D, Dd, S), WDA%, and PTI. ...
The present study was designed to begin to explore the perceptual and visuospatial organization required to respond to the Rorschach task. Previous research has shown a relative independence of Rorschach scores from other measures of neurocognitive functioning (e.g., Zillmer & Perry, 199631.
Perry , W. ,
Potterat , E. ,
Auslander , L. ,
Kaplan , E. , &
Jeste , D. ( 1996 ). A neuropsychological approach to the Rorschach in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type . Assessment , 3 ( 3 ), 351 – 363 . View all references). However, many of the neuropsychological measures used in previous studies did not require the patient to organize a complex visuospatial stimulus in the same way that the Rorschach does. In this study, data from 27 children and adolescents administered the Rorschach and the Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test (ROCF) were examined. Results of analyses indicated that, accounting for age and Full Scale IQ, there were a number of significant relationships between accuracy of ROCF renditions and Rorschach measures of developmental quality and perceptual accuracy. Implications for the understanding the nature of the Rorschach response process and its utility in clinical neuropsychology are discussed.
Psychological assessment can play an important role in informing the intervention process with child and adolescent victims of maltreatment. This study investigated the validity of the Rorschach in assessing aggressive drive derivatives using a profile-based approach, with a sample of 108 children and adolescents in foster care. Aggression indicators were derived from the work of Gacono and Meloy (1994). Latent class analysis yielded a 4-class model including gender and age as covariates. The first 2 classes were characterized by low prevalence rates across all indicators of aggression, and were distinguished primarily on the basis of participant's age. The 3rd class was characterized by the presence of Aggressive Vulnerability (AgV) responses, whereas the 4th showed higher occurrence of all markers except AgV. Modest associations were found between characteristics of abuse, select classes, and behavior problems. The 4th class showed the strongest link with behavior problems, albeit only in the presence of ego impairment. These findings support a contextualized, developmentally informed use of aggression markers on the Rorschach in the context of child maltreatment.
Attempts to predict adult psychopathy generally focus on aggressive and antisocial behavior exhibited in childhood and adolescence. Yet, children with conduct problems constitute a heterogeneous group, and many of the unique interpersonal and affective features associated with the construct of psychopathy only apply to a small subset of children displaying antisocial behavior. The current review seeks to derive an understanding of the specific precursors of the apparently amoral, affectionless, and self-centered orientation that psychopathic youngsters display towards other people. The focus is on the notions of temperament and attachment in early childhood, and their links to the emergence of moral emotions later in life. Based on a developmental perspective, the data currently available are examined, highlighting the insights gained from this body of work and outlining the conceptual and methodological challenges that still need to be addressed.
The Rorschach is one of the most widely used, openly accepted, and frequently requested tests in forensic psychology practice (Piotrowski, 1996; Meloy, 1991; Weiner, Exner, & Sciara, 1996). Well-trained psychologists with a sophisticated understanding of the individual, psychological constructs, base rates, and conditional probabilities, derive information from the Rorschach beyond what is available from diagnosis, self-report, and interview. The Rorschach helps us describe the complex interaction among psychological, biological, environmental and behavioral domains (Viglione & Perry, 1991). Despite its favorable status in both clinical and forensic settings and a substantial body of literature attesting to its reliability and validity (Weiner, 1996), the Rorschach has been targeted for attack by a small group of “academic” psychologists. Rather than science, the rhetoric and tactics of these detractors has been likened to “advocacy” or politics (Weiner, 2001, p. 7). This bias against the Rorschach is not new. It has existed since the 1920s among American academic psychology departments, despite the research in support of the Rorschach. As a result of this attack, biased articles find their way into publication and eventually into the courtroom. While they do little to promote scientific study (Meyer, 2000) and provide little useful information to the trier of fact, they do present another avenue for challenge when opposing attorneys search for weaknesses in psychological testimony. Forensic psychologists need to prepare for this additional challenge. In this article we summarize some key issues that can aid in defending the Rorschach.
Depuis des décennies, les cliniciens se sont intéressés à l’utilisation du Rorschach dans le diagnostic de la psychopathie. Pourtant, c’est seulement depuis une quinzaine d’années que ce type d’investigation est devenue vraiment pertinente à travers des recherches valides et fiables, grâce aux progrès réalisés dans l’évaluation de la psychopathie et la technologie du Rorschach.
En 1984, armés de cette “nouvelle” technologie, nous avons entamé nos recherches sur les personnalités antisociales et psychopathiques. Utilisant le Trouble de la Personnalité Antisociale (TPA) et la Psychopathie comme mesures indépendantes, et les variables Rorschach comme mesures dépendantes, nous avons tenté de comprendre le continuum antisocial d’un point de vue psychodynamique et développemental, tout en tenant compte des aspects psychobiologiques, psychodynamiques et de style cognitif.
Nous avons posé plusieurs questions: le Rorschach peut-il “établir la carte” du fonctionnement de la personnalité et de la structure intrapsychique des individus présentant des Troubles de la Conduite (TC) et des TPA, et est-ce que cette “carte” Rorschach validerait de manière empirique les modèles théoriques tels que la pathologie de l’attachement, l’absence d’anxiété, l’agressivité, et l’aspect grandiose qui sont associés à la psychopathie? Compte tenu des différences parmi les délinquants, le Rorschach saurait-il discriminer entre groupes TC et TPA d’après leurs niveaux de pathologie? Et encore, le Rorschach pouvait-il discriminer entre les TPA et les autres troubles de personnalité de Type B?
Nous avons obtenu un haut degré de concordance entre les données empiriques et la théorie. Nous avons trouvé des déficits de l’attachement (T = 0) chez 88% des troubles de comportement chez les enfants, 86% des adolescents TC, 71% des femmes TCA, 79% des hommes TCA, 91% des hommes psychopathes et 70% des hommes TCA schizophrènes. Les résultats du Y sont congruents avec le passage à l’acte considéré comme une défense contre l’angoisse dans les groupes d’enfants et adolescents TC. Contrairement aux enfants non consultants et aux adultes psychopathes, les enfants TC s’évaluent de manière négative lorsqu’ils se comparent aux autres (EGO < 0,33 = 72%).
Les adolescents TC diffèrent aussi des adolescents dysthymiques et non consultants: ils montrent moins de capacité d’attachement, sont moins anxieux, et manifestent moins d’intérêt pour les autres en tant que des objets entiers et humains réels. Les adolescents TC psychopathes présentent les même déficits. Les psychopathes TCA adultes de sexe masculin montrent moins de capacité d’attachement, éprouve moins d’anxiété et sont plus grandioses que les TCA non psychopathes. Les psychopathes se montrent tout aussi grandiose que les hommes aux Troubles de Personnalité Narcissique non hospitalisés, tout aussi “limites” que les hommes aux Troubles de la Personnalité Limite, cependant qu’ils sont moins anxieux et moins attachés. Les femmes adultes antisociales, bien qu’elles manifestent plus d’affects dysphoriques que les hommes TCA psychopathes, montrent moins de capacité d’attachement et d’affect que les femmes aux Troubles de la Personnalité Limite. L’expression de l’aspect grandiose diffère entre hommes psychopathes, enfants TC et femmes TCA, ce qui suggère des différences dans les niveaux de développement et selon le sexe.
Bien que le Rorschach ne doive pas être utilisé de manière isolée à des fins de diagnostic psychologique, nos premiers résultats montrent tout l’intérêt qu’il présente pour comprendre la psychologie des personnalités antisociales et psychopathiques. Nos travaux sur le Rorschach constituent aussi un modèle pour l’étude d’autres troubles de personnalité.
RESUMEN Desde finales de los años 80 del siglo pasado el interés por el estudio de la psicopatía ha ido creciendo entre los profesionales de la psicología, debido a su capacidad para predecir comportamientos delictivos reincidentes y violentos, demostrada en múltiples estudios empíricos. Surge por ello la necesidad de evaluar eficazmente el constructo, no sólo en adultos como también en la población juvenil donde hay que extremar precauciones. En este contexto nuestro objetivo principal fue conocer el comportamiento factorial de algunas de las escalas más utilizadas cuando se aplican a nuestra población y su capacidad para predecir la conducta reincidente y violenta de los jóvenes que cometen delitos en nuestro país. El estudio se realizó en una muestra de 238 jóvenes delincuentes (la edad media fue de 17,0 años, SD=1,24) de Madrid y Murcia donde se analizó retrospectivamente la reincidencia y la violencia. El robo con violencia o intimidación fue el delito más frecuente entre los jóvenes, verificándose que el 77% había cometido al menos un delito violento. Los instrumentos que se utilizaron para medir la psicopatía fueron la versión juvenil de la escala de psicopatía de Hare (PCL:YV, Hare, 2001) y la Escala de cribado de desarrollo antisocial (Frick y Hare, 2003). Nuestros resultados confirmaron la adecuación de las puntuaciones de psicopatía en nuestra población a los modelos originales de 3 y 4 factores sugeridos en el empleo con la PCL:YV. En segundo lugar verificamos que la puntuación total de la PCL:YV y los factores 3 y 4 demuestran tener capacidad para predecir la reincidencia, la gravedad de la reincidencia y la gravedad de la violencia. Esto no ocurre con la APSD que por sí sola no resulta un indicador específico de la reincidencia. En tercer lugar, las puntuaciones de la PCL:YV discriminan entre jóvenes reincidentes y no reincidentes, poder del que adolece la APSD: En cuarto lugar, y en lo que se refiere a la delincuencia violenta, es el Factor 3 de la PCL:YV (Estilo de vida) el que mejor identifica a los sujetos que cometen delitos violentos. En este caso la puntuación total no resulta discriminante. En quinto lugar, efectivamente es el factor antisocial (Factor 4) el que más toma al aumentar la puntuación de psicopatía. En sexto lugar, no se incrementa la capacidad predictiva de la PCL:YV al asociarla con la puntuación obtenida en factores de riesgo conocidos para la reincidencia. Sin embargo, la administración de esta prueba sí hace aumentar el poder predictor de estos factores tomados aisladamente. En séptimo lugar, no son los factores afectivo e interpersonal los que identifican a los sujetos reincidentes y violentos con mejor integración social. En consonancia con lo que han sido los resultados anteriores, son también los factores que se basan en la conducta aquellos que mejor discriminan a estos jóvenes de los demás jóvenes delincuentes. Finalmente, en octavo lugar, la APSD tiene una capacidad moderada para predecir psicopatía, tal como se mide con la PCL:YV. Presenta una sensibilidad elevada para puntos de corte bajos, sin embargo la bondad de la prueba reside en su alta especificidad, es decir, en identificar correctamente a los individuos no psicópatas. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Since the late 80s of last century the interest for the study of psychopathy has been growing among academics and professionals in psychology because their ability to predict criminal and violent behavior. This area of knowledge and applied subject includes as a consequence the need to effectively assess the construct, not only in adults but also in young people. Therefore, we aimed in our research to determine the factorial structure of some of the scales used when applied to young offenders in Spain and its ability to predict their behavior in and out of the institution. We assessed psychopathy with the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV, Forth, Kosson & Hare, 2003) and the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD, Frick & Hare, 2001) in a sample of 238 young offenders (mean age was 17,1; SD=1,24) from Madrid and Murcia. The recidivism and the violent behavior were assessed retrospectively. Robbery with violence was the most prevalent offense. 77,3% had committed at least one violent offense. In the first place, the value of the goodness of fit index indicated that the three and four factor structure models describes acceptably the construct of psychopathy in our sample when we used the PCL:YV. Nevertheless the results from APSD showed that the original model from Frick & Hare (2001) it can not be applied in our context. In the second place, we verify that the total score of the PCL:YV and Factors 3 and 4 were significantly associated with the severity of violence and the seriousness of reoffending and could predict the recidivism. On the contrary the Factors 1 and 2 did not showed that ability. In the third place, the APSD had moderate ability to predict psychopathy as it was assessed with the PCL:YV. It showed to have high specificity with a cut off score of 25 although the false positive rate was high too. We conclude with some recommendations and caution notes about the use of the term psychopathy in young offenders and its employment in the area of both prediction and treatment.
Despite the widely accepted utility of assessing psychopathic personality features in forensic and clinical settings, the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991) stands virtually alone in its ability to do so with adequate reliability and validity. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Rorschach Inkblot Method in assessing psychopathy in adult samples, but almost no studies are currently available investigating the Rorschach's ability to assess the condition in younger samples of precisely defined psychopathic groups. In this study, 66 male juvenile offenders, ages 14 to 17, were placed into 3 groups according to level of psychopathy as measured by the youth version of the PCL-R (PCL:YV; Forth, 1995). Nine Rorschach variables conceptually related to various psychopathic features were investigated. Two of the variables (Reflections and Texture Responses) demonstrated statistically significant differences across groups (p < .05). Two additional variables (Vista and White Space) were produced in patterns consistent with existing research, although only to a weak degree. The remaining variables (Egocentricity Index, Form Dimension, Pure Human Content, Inanimate Movement, and Diffuse Shading) did not differ across groups in the predicted directions. Overall, these results offer some support for the validity of the Rorschach as a method of detecting certain psychopathic personality features, including pathological narcissism and interpersonal detachment, in adolescent male offenders.
The Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 1991, 1993) for the Rorschach is currently engulfed in controversy. This comment article responds to 3 articles by Rorschach proponents in this issue of the Journal of Personality Assessment. Contrary to the claims of Gacono, Loving, and Bodholdt (this issue), CS scores do not bear a well-demonstrated relationship to psychopathy, antisocial personality disorder, or conduct disorder. Contrary to the claims of Ganellen (this issue), both the original and the revised CS Depression Index (Exner, 1993) bear little or no relationship to depression diagnoses. Furthermore, the scoring reliability of some CS scores is problematic. Although we agree with Bornstein (this issue) that Rorschach scores generally bear little or no relation to psychiatric diagnoses or self-report questionnaires, we believe this lack of relationship tends to disconfirm hypotheses concerning the validity of the Rorschach. In the spirit of the philosopher Sir Karl Popper, the Rorschach community should not minimize negative evidence or engage in post hoc arguments to immunize the CS against falsification.
Researchers are currently seeking antecedents of psychopathy among children and adolescents. Instruments developed for this purpose are likely to be used in the future in ways that may have serious implications for youths in delinquency and criminal cases. In this regard, and because the concept and measurement of psychopathy have been developed in reference to adults, there is reason to be concerned about potential developmental sources of false positives when measuring psychopathic traits in juvenile offenders. We provide the basis for our concern, as well as standards regarding the types of research evidence that should be provided before psychopathy measures are accepted for use in juvenile forensic assessments.
Attempts to predict adult psychopathy generally focus on aggressive and antisocial behavior exhibited in childhood and adolescence. Yet, children with conduct problems constitute a heterogeneous group, and many of the unique interpersonal and affective features associated with the construct of psychopathy only apply to a small subset of children displaying antisocial behavior. The current review seeks to derive an understanding of the specific precursors of the apparently amoral, affectionless, and self-centered orientation that psychopathic youngsters display towards other people. The focus is on the notions of temperament and attachment in early childhood, and their links to the emergence of moral emotions later in life. Based on a developmental perspective, the data currently available are examined, highlighting the insights gained from this body of work and outlining the conceptual and methodological challenges that still need to be addressed.
In the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach (Exner, 2003), pair and reflection responses are combined into an Egocentricity Index (EgoI) that is said to measure self-focus and self-esteem. However, validation research over the past 30 years has found at most only limited support for these interpretations. This study suggests an alternative approach derived from Exner's (1969) suggestion prior to the EgoI that pairs and reflections are related to interpersonal perception and in particular to a tendency to perceive similarity. Forty custody litigants completed the Rorschach and Revised NEO Personality Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992b) Forms S and R. As the number of reflections increased, the description of the partner and the description of the self became increasingly dissimilar. As pairs increased, the description of the ex-partner on Form R and the self-description on Form S tended to become increasingly similar. This project suggests that pairs and reflections may be differentially related to perceived similarity and that combining them into a summative index may, at least in some circumstances, result in a loss of information.
A national sample of incarcerated violent female offenders (N = 45) and a sample of female non-offenders (N = 30) were compared on nine selected Rorschach CS (Exner, 2003) variables and three of the aggression variables of Gacono and Meloy (1994). The results indicate that an avoidant and inconsistent coping style was more characteristic of the offenders than the non-offenders. The offenders were characterized by social immaturity and limited capacities to cope with stress as compared with the non-offenders. No significant differences were found between the two groups in handling intense emotions. Although the aggressive scores revealed no discrimination between the groups, significant correlations were found between the aggressive content score and childhood victimization. An inverse relation was found between the aggressive past score and the emotional intensity of the violent offense. The study indicates that the selected RCS variables related to adaptive resources for coping discriminate between violent offenders and non-offenders, but that the variables related to affective features need further examination.
The objective was to examine early adolescent projective risk indicators for the development of antisocial behaviour as related to adult personality traits, psychopathy, and violent behaviour over the life span. Assessment data included Rorschach (Rr) ratings (at age 11-14 years), personality inventories (EPQ-I and KSP scales), and a shortened Psychopathy Check List (PCL) (administered at age 32-40 years), obtained from a group of 199 male subjects; and smoking habits (at age 36-44 years) obtained from 125 of those subjects. Results, controlled for intelligence, indicated that the high and very high risk groups, as determined by level of total Rr risk scores, were (1) significantly higher on self-rated IVE Impulsiveness, the anxiety-related KSP Muscular Tension, and nonconformity traits, as compared to the low Rr risk group--the very high risk group also scoring significantly higher on the EPQ Psychoticism scale, related to aggressiveness and cruelty; (2) higher on clinically rated PCL total sum and factor scores; and (3) they were overrepresented among Ss with subsequent violent offence, and Ss with heavy smoking habits. The results are discussed in terms of the possible usefulness of psychodynamic oriented cognitive-emotional indicators in the search for underlying mechanisms in the development of disinhibitory psychopathology.
Adolescence is an important developmental period for understanding the nature, course, and treatment of depression. Recent research concerned with depressive mood, syndromes, and disorders during adolescence is reviewed, including investigations of the prevalence, course, risk factors, and prevention and treatment programs for each of these three levels of depressive phenomena in adolescence. A broad biopsychosocial perspective on adolescent depression is recommended, and possible directions for future integrative research are proposed. Based on current research and knowledge, implications for research, program , and national policy are considered.
Investigated the efficacy of the variables age, sex, race, education, occupation, rural–urban residence, geographic residence, and handedness in predicting premorbid IQ on the WAIS—R. Data were from the 1981 WAIS—R standardization sample. Results indicate that education, race, and occupation were the most powerful predictors of premorbid IQ and that the present estimation formulas can assist in predicting premorbid IQ on the WAIS—R. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The association between psychopathy and other mental disorders was investigated in 80 male forensic patients. Psychopathy was assessed with the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL; R. D. Hare [see PA, Vol 67:2477]). Diagnoses of other mental disorders were based on Axis I and Axis II criteria listed in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) and on two standardized psychiatric rating scales. PCL diagnoses were significantly related only to antisocial and histrionic personality disorder (PD) and to nonalcohol substance abuse disorders. PCL ratings were also positively correlated with prototypicality ratings of antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic PD and negatively correlated with ratings of avoidant PD. The results provide evidence for the convergent and discriminant validity of the PCL and are consistent with the view that psychopathy is a distinct clinical syndrome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
We investigated the psychometric properties of an 18-item modification of the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) in a sample of 75 male young offenders incarcerated in a maximum-security institution. The distribution and psychometric properties of PCL scores were similar to those found previously (e.g., R. D. Hare; see record
1985-20280-001) in samples of young adult inmates. PCL scores were significantly correlated with the number of conduct-disorder symptoms, previous violent offenses, violent behavior in the institution, and violent recidivism. These and related results from several other studies indicate that the PCL shows promise as a research instrument for the assessment of psychopathy in male young offenders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Hypothesized that psychopaths seldom commit violent crimes colored by intense emotional arousal and that their victims are likely to be strangers. A detailed analysis was performed on the most serious of offenses committed by 55 psychopaths (Group P) and 46 nonpsychopaths (Group NP). Results are consistent with the prediction. Most of the murders by Group NP, but none of those by Group P, occurred during a domestic dispute or during a period of extreme arousal. Most of Group NP's victims were female and were known to them, whereas the opposite was true of Group P. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were used to examine the criminal histories of male psychopaths and nonpsychopaths. Dependent variables included time spent in prison and conviction rates during each 5-year period between the ages of 16–45 years. Both types of analysis indicated that the criminal activities of nonpsychopaths were relatively constant over the years, whereas those of psychopaths remained high until around age 40, after which they declined dramatically. Nevertheless, more than half of the subjects in each group still received at least one conviction after age 40. The results are consistent with clinical impressions that some psychopaths tend to "burn out" in middle age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Two correlated factors have been identified in the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL), a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of psychopathy in male prison populations. Factor 1 measures a selfish, remorseless, and exploitative use of others, and Factor 2 measures a chronically unstable and antisocial life-style. We examined the psychometric properties of the factor solutions and a variety of correlates of the two factors. Although the PCL can be considered a homogeneous scale on statistical grounds, the factors have distinct patterns of intercorrelations with other variables. Factor 1 is most closely correlated with the classic clinical description of the psychopathic personality. It is only marginally related to many self-report personality scales, to quality of family background, to criminal behavior, and to diagnoses of antisocial personality disorder. Factor 2 is strongly correlated with these latter variables and with scales related to socialization. We conclude that both factors measure important elements of psychopathy and that assessments based only on the presence of antisocial behavior or on scales related to socialization are inadequate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The current article is focused on the types of personality structure encountered in child guidance clinics. The personality is conceived as having a central core of primitive impulses. Primitive is here used in the sense of spontaneous and socially undisciplined, or instinctual in the Freudian terminology. The surface zone of the personality is the ego-conscious, socialized, discriminating, and choosing. The type of therapy needed is determined by the type of personality deviation. The results of the treatment will be to develop somewhat the inadequate shell of inhibition, to stimulate foresight and an enlightened self-interest, and to develop certain patterns of conformity. If in addition skills are acquired, the prospect for an individual reasonably able to take his place in society may be good. In some extreme instances, only an improvement in the capacity for institutional adjustment may be realized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)
Psychopaths present serious problems for the criminal justice system because they are responsible for many serious crimes
and appear to be very resistant to treatment. The present study was a retrospective evaluation of the efficacy of a maximum
security therapeutic community program in reducing recidivism among mentally disordered offenders, some of whom were psychopaths.
The study employed a matched group, quasiexperimental design. The results showed that, compared to no program (in most cases
prison), treatment was associated with lower recidivism (especially violent recidivism) for nonpsychopaths and higher violent
recidivism for psychopaths. The clinical and research utility of Hare's Psychopathy Checklist was strongly supported.
Rorschach data were used to psychometrically "map" the internal psychological operations of three Cluster B personality disorders, listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev. [DSM-III-R]; American Psychiatric Association, 1987), all of which may be organized at a borderline level. Psychopathic antisocial subjects (P-APDs) and narcissistic subjects (NPDs) were highly narcissistic. NPD subjects, however, produced more indices of anxiety and attachment capacity and fewer scores related to borderline object relations and damaged identity. P-APDs and borderline subjects (BPDs) produced similar mean numbers of borderline object relations; however, the BPDs were more anxious, produced more unsublimated aggressive and libidinal drive material, and evidenced greater potential for attachment. BPDs were also less narcissistic than both P-APDs and NPDs. Nonpsychopathic antisocial subjects (NP-APDs) were less borderline than P-APDs and BPDs, less narcissistic in terms of a stable grandiose self-structure than NPD and P-APDs, produced less evidence of attachment capacity than NPDs and BPDs but more than P-APDs, and were similar to BPDs in their proneness to anxiety. The outpatient NPDs and BPDs produced more idealization responses than the incarcerated antisocial personality disorder (APD) groups. We conclude that the behavioral descriptions offered for these three Cluster B personality disorders, when used in conjunction with information such as level of personality organization (Kernberg, 1984), level of psychopathy (Hare, 1980, 1985), and outpatient versus inpatient research settings, may have greater intrapsychic specificity than previously thought.
We investigated Rorschach responses associated with narcissism and hysteria in a group of antisocial personality disordered offenders. The Rorschach protocols of 42 subjects who met the criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev. [DSM-III-R]; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) for antisocial personality disorder were analyzed using Exner's (1986) criteria for pairs, reflections, and personal responses, and Gacono's (1988) criteria for the impressionistic response. Severe, or primary psychopaths (n = 21), scoring greater than or equal to 30 on the Hare (1980) Psychopathy Checklist (PCL), were compared to moderate, or secondary pscyhopaths (n = 21), scoring less than 30 on the PCL. The mean number of pair and impressionistic responses did not significantly differ for the two antisocial groups. The highly psychopathic group, however, did exhibit a significantly greater mean number of reflection and personal responses. We discuss pair and reflection responses and their relationship to narcissism in psychopathic disturbance. We recommend interpreting the personal response within the context of the psychopathic character and view personal responses as expressions of narcissism and omnipotence in highly psychopathic subjects. We also hypothesize that the impressionistic responses are indicative of primitive dissociative processes and hysteria in psychopathic subjects, and that their presence provides construct validity for the work of Guze (1976) and others who suggested an underlying histrionic dimension to psychopathy.
This is a brief report on the first stage of a longitudinal study of criminal psychopathy. The data to be presented are the criminal records of several hundred predominantly white, male criminals who took part in at least one of our psychophysiological studies from 1964 to 1974. The records were obtained from the RCMP Fingerprint Service (FPS) files, which contained a listing of charges, convictions, and dispositions from the time of first appearance in adult court until December 31, 1975. A later report will describe the criminal histories of around 500 male criminals from their first appearance in adult court until 1982.
We investigated the psychometric properties of an 18-item modification of the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) in a sample of 75 male young offenders incarcerated in a maximum-security institution. The distribution and psychometric properties of PCL scores were similar to those found in samples of young adult inmates. PCL scores were significantly correlated with the number of conduct-disorder symptoms, previous violent offenses, violent behavior in the institution, and violent recidivism. These and related results from several other studies indicate that the PCL shows promise as a research instrument for the assessment of psychopathy in male young offenders.
Reviews the book, Adolescence: The farewell to childhood by Louise Kaplan (1984). Kaplan has written a book on two levels, meant for two audiences, and intended to accomplish two very different purposes. This book addresses psychoanalysts and psychotherapists who treat adolescents; it is also written to be accessible to parents, teachers, and others who live or work with adolescents. The book is divided into three sections: (a) the history of the concept plus biology of pubescence, (b) the psychological conflicts and establishment of sexual maturity and biology of sexual development in adolescence, and (c) the ideals of masculine and feminine development. Kaplan thus establishes adolescence as a question of sexual maturity and subordinates cognitive, interpersonal, and vocational issues to the sexual. A great strength of the book is its beautiful description of the difficult task adolescents face in redirecting their sexual desires from the family to the nonincestuous loves acceptable in adulthood. This process of "removal" is the most painful, necessary, and delicate of tasks. It requires enough but not too much turning away from parents, enough but not too much daring, enough but not too much caution. Kaplan clearly conveys the sense of preconsciousness and the magnitude of potential loss involved. As a professional book, this work presents a synthesis that will be useful for teaching adolescence to psychologists and others who will work with members of the adolescent age group. When measured against what else is available on adolescence, it stands out as the best single work available on this crucial period of life. It should be read in courses on adolescence, in parent-education courses, and can be recommended to those outside the field as the best statement we have of what psychoanalysis has to say about adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
A Therapeutic Community (TC) treatment program for adult male offenders is summarized and treatment outcome data are discussed. Psychopaths showed less clinical improvement, displayed lower levels of motivation and were discharged from the program earlier than non-psychopaths. There were significant positive treatment effects for the non-psychopaths and a mixed group. Psychopathy Checklist scores (Hare, 1985) consistently postdict and predict treatment outcome and attrition from the program.
Reviews The Rorschach: A Comprehensive System, Volume 3: Assessment of Children and Adolescents (2nd ed.) (see record 1994-98600-000 ). This third edition of Exner's Comprehensive System approach to the Rorschach test contains new material on the issue of projection, revised normative data on young people (5-16 years of age), and a demonstration of the recently developed Comprehensive System "search strategy" for interpretation of children's and adolescent's records. Also new to this edition are sections on interpreting the Schizophrenia Index, the Depression Index, the Coping Deficit Index, and the Hypervigilence Index, as well as information regarding bipolar disorder and the interplay of mania and depression. Like its predecessor, this edition, written with coauthor Weiner, guides clinicians in assessing personality function, psychological disorders, and developmental delays in young people through assessment of the Rorschach test and includes relevant research and conceptual information. Chapter topics include the nature and interpretation of the Rorschach; use of the Rorschach with younger clients; normative data and the interpretive process; cases from some nonpatient records; issues of schizophrenia; issues of depression; faltering personality development; problems in behavior; school learning problems; and custody issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Developed regression equations for the prediction of WISC-R Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQs from the demographic variables of sex, race, socioeconomic status, urban vs rural residence, and region of residence in the US. Multiple correlations from .37 to .44 occurred for the sample of 2,200 children (6–16.5 yrs) taken from the WISC-R standardization sample. Guidelines and cautions for the use and interpretation of scores determined from the various equations are discussed. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The description of the use of the Rorschach ink-blot test; translated from the German. Harvard Book List (edited) 1949 #115 (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
A continuation of a consideration of children with reduced behavior ("ego") controls, begun in
Children who hate (see
26: 4106) with emphasis on treatment. The account is based on the residential treatment in Pioneer House of 10 severely hyper-aggressive boys (5 for 1-3 months; 5 for 15-19 months) by a full-time and part-time professional staff of 10. Neither psychiatric interview methods nor the educator's resources apply to the "children who hate," hence the need for a new strategy of treatment with professional staff built into the treatment home. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
It is the author's thesis that conditions now grouped under the heading of psychopathy and psychopathic states can be divided into 2 distinct clinical groups each having its own particular etiologies and forms of expression. Symptomatic psychopathy includes "all those reactions that on the surface bear close resemblance to what we call psychopathic behavior, except that in these cases it is not difficult to elicit psychogenesis which is behind the psychopathic indulgence;" idiopathic psychopathy (anethopathy) includes psychopathic reactions for which it is impossible to find any psychogenic factors. 2 detailed case studies are presented to illustrate this distinction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
This landmark book on the psychodynamics of psychopathy is divided into four sections. Part I, "Origins," explores the history of the dynamic understanding of psychopathy and its psychobiological foundations. It offers an object-relational developmental theory to explain the gensis of psychopathy. Part II, "Structure and Dynamics," probes the conscious and unconscious mind of the psychopath along the dimensions of affective experience and defensive operations. . . . "Violence, Psychosis, and Related States," Part III, develops a differential model of human aggression as either affective or predatory and hypothesizes that the psychopathic process is partucarly suited to predatory violence. . . . The last section, "Treatment," focuses on resistances encountered in the patient and countertransference threats to successful treatment.
Clinicians will find this book helpful because it goes beyond description of behavior into the structure and functioning of the psychopathic mind. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Sixty male adjudicated juvenile delinquents between the ages 14–17, and 20 nondelinquent controls were administered measures of moral reasoning, social convention understanding, interpersonal awareness, socialization, empathy, autonomy, and psychopathy in an effort to explore the relations between moral reasoning, moral sentiment, and antisocial behavior. Not only did the delinquent group evidence developmental delays on all of these direct and indirect tests of morality functioning, but their performance on certain of these measures also differentiated those offenders who were more or less psychopathic. By demonstrating the special contribution of measures of moral will or sentiment to the study of antisocial behavior, these findings serve to underscore the multidimensional character of moral development, and the complexity of the relations between thought and action.
Physiological activity was monitored while 64 prison inmates awaited delivery of a 120dB tone during a 12-sec “count-down” procedure. The inmates were divided into four groups on the basis of global ratings of psychopathy (interrater reliability = .86) and scores on the Socialization (So) scale. Twelve inmates in the group considered to be most psychopathic (high ratings of psychopathy and low So scores) showed larger increases in heart rate and smaller increases in electrodermal activity in anticipation of the tone than did 20 inmates in the group considered to be least psychopathic (low ratings of psychopathy and high So scores). These findings were consistent with those of several previous studies, and were interpreted as a reflection of an association between psychopathy and the operation of efficient mechanisms for coping with threat.
We investigated the constructs of attachment and anxiety in inpatient conduct-disordered and dysthymic adolescents. Texture, diffuse shading, and pure human content (Exner, 1986) Rorschach indices were compared between 48 subjects who met the criteria for conduct disorder and 30 subjects who met the criteria for dysthymia, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev. [DSM-III-R]; American Psychiatric Association, 1987). We also compared mild, moderate, and severe conduct-disorder groups on the three selected Rorschach variables and investigated certain family characteristics for the two groups. We found a lower frequency of texture and pure human content responses in conduct-disordered subjects and a greater frequency of diffuse shading responses in the dysthymic subjects. The conduct-disordered subjects also came from homes in which the mother figure was significantly less present. Our psychometric findings of lessened attachment and diminished anxiety in the conduct-disordered adolescents are similar to adult psychopaths. We urge that an attachment or socialization disturbance criterion be reintroduced into the forthcoming DSM-IV conduct-disorder diagnosis.
We propose the addition of four aggressive indices for Rorschach scoring: aggressive content, aggressive potential, aggressive past, and sado-masochism scores. Interrater agreement is presented and ranges from 92-100%. Nomothetic comparisons are made between groups with higher base rates for violence with mixed results, although the sado-masochism frequency was significantly higher in severe psychopaths than in moderate psychopaths. Idiographic use of the aggression indices is emphasized, with a particular focus upon inferring the quality, intensity, and directionality of intrapsychic aggression in relation to self and object representations.
We investigated the constructs of anxiety and attachment in a group of 42 offenders who met the DSM-III-R criteria for antisocial personality disorder. Each antisocial subject's level of psychopathy was assessed with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL). Three Rorschach variables related to attachment, anxiety, and coping were compared between subjects scoring greater than or equal to 30 (N = 21) on the PCL and subjects scoring less than 30 (N = 21). Comparison Rorschach variables are also presented from a sample of 60 antisocial personality-disordered offenders. Moderate psychopaths (PCL score, less than 30) produced texture and diffuse shading responses at a significantly greater frequency than severe, or primary, psychopaths (PCL score, greater than or equal to 30). There was no significant difference in the two groups' propensity for producing vista responses. Although there were no significant differences between the coping index scores, the trend suggests less conflictual functioning in the severe psychopaths. A virtual absence of texture responses in the severe psychopaths, and a significantly greater frequency of diffuse shading responses in the moderate psychopaths, add construct validity to the lack of attachment in psychopaths and the role of anxiety in differentiating secondary from primary psychopathy. We view the presence of vista responses in this population as a measure of a failed grandiose self-structure, and note that it often occurs in the records of moderate psychopaths who also present achromatic color responses.
This study assessed the object relations, defensive operations, and level of psychopathy and narcissism in a group of antisocial personality disordered offenders. The Rorschach protocols of 33 subjects who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev. [DSM-III-R], American Psychiatric Association, 1987) criteria for antisocial personality disorder were analyzed utilizing Kwawer's (1980) criteria for borderline object relations categories (borderline phenomena), the Lerner and Lerner (1980) Defense Scale, and a number of experimental criteria including Cooper and Arnow's (1986) defense criteria. Level of narcissism was assessed utilizing Exner's (1973) Self-Focus Sentence Completion Test. Hare's Psychopathy Checklist was used as an independent variable to determine a subject's level of psychopathy. Those subjects scoring 30 or more on the psychopathy checklist were compared to subjects scoring less than 30. The level of narcissism or proportion of defenses did not differ significantly between the severe psychopaths (greater than or equal to 30) and the moderate psychopaths (less than 30). The severe psychopaths produced a significantly greater number of borderline object relations. I conclude that antisocial individuals tend to be highly egocentric, and that narcissism is one component of psychopathy. Severe psychopaths, as a group, tend to be more borderline in their functioning than those exhibiting moderate levels of psychopathic disturbance. I also conclude that individuals who are incarcerated for felony offenses and also meet the DSM-III-R criteria for antisocial personality disorder exhibit degrees of borderline personality organization.
The Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of psychopathy in criminal populations. Although it was designed to measure a unitary construct, the instrument has been shown to comprise several factors. To determine whether the PCL contains a factor structure that is stable and replicable, we factor-analyzed data from six samples of male prison inmates (N = 1,119) in Canada, the United States, and England. Split-half cross-validation and analysis of congruence coefficients indicated that a two-factor solution could be replicated in all six samples. Factor 1 was defined by core personality traits, including superficiality; habitual lying and manipulation; callousness; and lack of affect, guilt, remorse, and empathy. Factor 2 was defined by a chronically unstable and antisocial lifestyle. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The assessment of criminal psychopathy using the Psychopathy Checklist of Hare is based on a file review and a structured interview. However, the inmate may not always be accessible for the interview and researchers may have to rely on ratings obtained through a comprehensive file review alone. The present study investigates the reliability of ratings based on file review alone. Psychopathy Checklist ratings for 56 subjects were obtained with and without the structured interview. Reliable ratings on the Checklist and accurate classification of inmates were obtained without the interview. Ratings obtained without the interview tended to give a slightly more conservative estimate of the size of the group high in psychopathy.