Primary and secondary psychopathic characteristics and the schedule for non-adaptive and adaptive personality (SNAP)

Abstract

The current study examined the relationship of the Levenson self-report psychopathy (LSRP) scales to indices of personality disorder (PD) and trait and temperament (TNT) from the schedule of non-adaptive and adaptive personality (SNAP). In a sample of college students ( N = 276), LSRP primary and secondary subscales were predictably related to SNAP PD scales reflecting cluster B symptoms; multiple regression analyses indicated that narcissistic (+) and antisocial (+) PD were the best predictors of primary psychopathy; antisocial (+), paranoid (+), obsessive–compulsive (−), and borderline (+) were the best predictors of secondary psychopathy. In terms of TNT scales, mistrust (+), manipulation (+), aggression (+), disinhibition (+), and impulsivity (+) were most consistently related to LSRP psychopathy scales. However, manipulation (+), exhibitionism (+) and entitlement (+) were more related to primary psychopathy whereas aggression (+), dependency (+) and positive emotions (−) were more related to secondary psychopathy. Finally, factor analysis of SNAP psychopathy-related scales and LSRP scales highlighted the discriminant validity of primary and secondary psychopathy.