Two subtypes of psychopathic criminals differ in negative affect and history of childhood abuse.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Specification of the etiological mechanisms underlying psychopathy is a key step in developing more effective methods for preventing and remediating the callous and impulsive behavior that characterizes the disorder. Theoretical conceptualizations of psychopathic subtypes propose that a primary variant largely stems from impoverished affect, whereas a secondary variant is hypothesized to develop subsequent to adverse environmental experiences (e.g., childhood maltreatment). However, there has been a dearth of research demonstrating that psychopathic subtypes actually differ in terms of experienced childhood maltreatment in an adult offender population.

Method

The current study employed model-based cluster analysis (MBCA) in a sample of incarcerated, psychopathic ma

SUBMITTER: Dargis M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5902659 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature