Prototypical Analysis of Antisocial Personality Disorder: DSM-IV and Beyond

• NCJ Number: 150017
• Journal: Law and Human Behavior Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (August 1994) Pages: 471- 484
• Author(s): R Rogers; J C Duncan; E Lynett; K W Sewell
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study asked 331 forensic psychiatrists to make prototypic ratings of the DSM versions, PCL-R (Hare 1991), and the ICD-10 dyssocial personality disorder.

Abstract

All criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) were placed on a master list that included nonoverlapping items from DSM-II descriptors, DSM-III and DSM-III-R inclusion criteria, PCL-R items, as well as the proposed criteria for ICD-10 dyssocial personality disorder and the DSM-IV PPD. To protect against ordering effects, the researchers generated four random lists for both childhood and adult criteria. Subjects were asked to rate each APD criterion on a seven-point scale that was anchored by three descriptors to their perceptions of APD. Researchers computed alpha coefficients of reliability to estimate the agreement among psychiatrists regarding the prototypicality of individual criteria. Four distinct factors emerged that encompassed the following dimensions: unstable self-image, unstable relationships, and irresponsibility; manipulation and lack of guilt; aggressive behavior; and nonviolent delinquency. These dimensions are discussed in the context of an earlier prototypical analysis. Questions are raised about the DSM-IV criteria. 61 references and 2 tables