NCJ Number
248309
Journal
Legal and Criminology Psychology Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: September 2014 Pages: 356-372
Date Published
September 2014
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The process model presented here was developed as part of safety seminars to help participants recognize criminal preferences and tactics.
Abstract
Current knowledge suggests that the psychopathy construct is multifaceted in nature, and reflects different underlying pathological mechanisms, including neurobiological dysfunction and maladaptive cognitions. Although many contemporary studies focus on neurobiological aspects of psychopathy, few have addressed the maladaptive cognitions. In this study, the authors examined facets of Hare's psychopathy construct in terms of their associations with maladaptive cognitions, as defined by Young's cognitive theory of Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS). Personality disordered offenders (N = 124) were assessed with the PCL-R and the Young Schema Questionnaire. The PCL-R Lifestyle and Antisocial Facets were significantly related to EMS Mistrust/Abuse and Insufficient Self-Control, consistent with our hypotheses, and were significantly, but negatively, related to EMS Subjugation. Also as hypothesized, EMS showed no associations with the PCL-R Affective and Interpersonal facets. Contrary to our expectation, EMS did not predict institutional violence. The findings suggest that schemas relating to mistrust, inadequate self-control/low frustration tolerance, and autonomy/dominance, play a role in the impulsive lifestyle and antisocial behavior features of psychopathy. Treatments that focus on ameliorating these schemas may lead to better outcomes in psychopathic offenders. (Published Abstract)