The Relationship Between Unconscious Defensive Process and Conscious Cognitive Style in Psychopaths

Abstract

The relationship between unconscious defensive process and conscious cognitive style in psychopaths was empirically investigated using cognitive, behavioral, and psychodynamic measures. In the study, 39 prison inmates diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and 18 college students were classified as primary psychopaths, secondary psychopaths, or nonpsychopaths by means of the Psychopathy Checklist—Revised. Unconscious process was elicited through presentation of a film segment of a violent rape scene and measured using a defense checklist based on Kernberg's model of borderline personality organization. Cognitive style was measured using a cognitive checklist based on Yochelson and Samenow's criminal personality model. Checklist scores were compared across the three groups. The results suggest that unconscious defensive process can be inferred from conscious cognitive style in primary psychopaths. Implications of the findings for understanding and assessing psychopathy are discussed.