Child and Adolescent Psychopathy: A State-of-the-Art Reflection on the Construct and Etiological Theories

• NCJ Number: 239122
• Journal: Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 40 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2012 Pages: 269-277
• Author(s): Diana Ribeiro da Silva; Daniel Rijo; Randall T. Salekin
• Date Published: August 2012
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research); Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

This state-of-the-art review discusses the concept of child and adolescent psychopathy, taking into account historical and conceptual issues.

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the identification of psychopathic traits in infancy and adolescence. This effort will enable the development of predictive models of aggressive and violent behavior, in order to intervene effectively both in preventive and therapeutic levels. Several authors have suggested that the presence or absence of psychopathic traits, together with the factors that sustain, maximize or minimize them, can help in the identification of the etiology and developmental trajectories of anti-social individuals. Meta-narrative review of the child and adolescent psychopathy construct. This state-of-the-art review discusses the concept of child and adolescent psychopathy, taking into account historical and conceptual issues. Evolutionary Theories can add a major contribution to the understanding of the origins of psychopathic traits. (Published Abstract)