Self-reported psychopathy and its association with criminal cognition and antisocial behavior in a sample of university undergraduates.

Abstract

The present study examined the construct of psychopathy (as assessed via self-report) and its relation to criminal attitudes, criminal thinking styles, and self-reported antisocial behavior in a sample of 248 Canadian university undergraduate students. Participants completed 3 forensic self-report measures (Self-Report Psychopathy: Short Form; Criminal Sentiments Scale–Modified; Criminal Thinking Profile), and a measure of self-reported antisocial behaviour. Moderate to large positive correlations were observed among the 3 forensic self-report measures. Self-reported antisocial behaviours, organized into 2 groups reflecting serious infrequent antisocial behaviours and more frequent but generally less serious rule violations, were significantly positively correlated with several indexes of psychopathy and criminal cognition. Multiple regression analyses revealed that, controlling for Criminal Thinking Profile and Criminal Sentiments Scale–Modified scales, the Self-Report Psychopathy: Short Form Antisocial scale uniquely predicted serious self-reported antisocial behaviour while its Lifestyle scale uniquely predicted more frequent and less severe antisocial behaviour. The present study supports the construct validity of self-report forensic measures in a university undergraduate sample and the relations of self-reported psychopathic traits to criminal cognition and antisocial behaviour.