Four-facet Model Research Articles

Psychopathy subdomains in violent offenders with and without a psychotic disorder

Background Violence in psychosis has been linked to antisocial behavior and psychopathy traits. Psychopathy comprises aspects of interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial traits which may be differently involved in violent offending by persons with psychotic disorders. We explored psychopathy subdomains among violent offenders with and without a psychotic disorder. Methods 46 males, with a history of severe violence, with (n = 26; age 35.85 ± 10.34 years) or without (n = 20; age 39.10 ± 11.63 years) a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, were assessed with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). PCL-R was split into subdomains following the four-facet model. Group differences in total and subdomain scores were analyzed with a general linear model with covariates. Results Total PCL-R scores did not differ between the groups (p = 0.61, Cohen’s d = 0.17). The violent offenders without psychotic disorders had higher facet 2 scores than the patient group with psychotic disorders (p = 0.029, Cohen’s d = 0.77). Facet 1, 3, or 4 scores did not differ between the groups. Controlling for age did not alter the results. Conclusion Patients with a psychotic disorder and a history of severe violence have lower affective psychopathy scores than violent offenders without psychotic disorders. This observation may point toward distinct underlying mechanisms for violence and may provide a target for focused treatment and prevention.

Fluid Intelligence Moderates the Link Between Psychopathy and Aggression Differently for Men and Women.

Research on sex differences in the association of psychopathy with fluid intelligence is limited, and it remains unknown if fluid intelligence plays a meaningful role in explaining the psychopathy-aggression link for men and women. The present study aimed to test for sex differences in the relation between the four-facet model of psychopathy and intelligence, and to assess whether fluid intelligence moderates the link between psychopathy and aggression. In a community sample of men (n = 356) and women (n = 196), we assessed psychopathy using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV), fluid intelligence using the Raven's Progressive Matrices, and types of aggression using the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). Hierarchical regressions showed that the psychopathy lifestyle facet was negatively associated with intelligence and there were no sex differences. Our analyses for types of aggression revealed sex differences and similarities. For both men and women, total AQ scores were predicted by higher antisocial facet scores. Lower intelligence moderated the link between higher antisocial facet scores and aggression in men, but not for women. Physical aggression in women was associated with higher interpersonal, affective, and antisocial facet scores, whereas for men, it was only associated with higher antisocial facet scores. Verbal and indirect aggression were associated with higher intelligence in both men and women. For men only, higher antisocial facet scores were associated with verbal and indirect aggression. Higher intelligence moderated the link between the lifestyle facet and indirect aggression for women, whereas for men, it moderated the link between the affective facet and indirect aggression. This study further highlights sex differences in mechanisms of psychopathy-related aggression, which need to be considered in the development of violence interventions and risk assessment.

What we talk about when we talk about culture: a multi-facet approach

Though the cultural turn is well behind us, sociologists of culture have yet to agree upon a clear definition of their subject. Recent efforts in this direction have characterized culture as a meta-concept, identifying and disentangling its constituent parts. Building on the two- and three-dimensional models that have emerged of late, while also taking stock of the longer history of sociology’s struggle to reconceptualize culture after Parsons, we argue that culture is best understood via a four-facet model. Culture, we argue, consists of discourse, which is oriented toward meaning, and practice, which is oriented toward action. But both discourse and practice have implicit and explicit dimensions: they consist of underlying generative structures and concrete manifestations. To demonstrate the four-facet model’s value for empirical analysis, we use it to address the high-profile methodological debates that have recently roiled the field, pitting ethnography, interviewing, and survey research against one another as the ideal mode of accessing culture writ large. Rather than arbitrating among methods, we show, the four-facet model specifies how each approach contributes to cultural analysis, facilitating conversation in places where disagreements currently appear intractable and underwriting methodological pluralism.

Personality traits as an organizing framework for personality pathology.

We review evidence establishing important parallels between the general structure of psychopathology, the more specific structure of personality pathology and the structure of normal-range personality. We then present data to explicate the nature of associations between the alternative model of personality disorder (AMPD)-as operationalized by the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-and the domains and facets subsumed within the five-factor model of personality. Our data demonstrate substantial links between four of the five domains within these models but also indicate that the AMPD could be realigned to enhance its convergence with the five-factor model of personality. Based on our data, we tentatively propose an expanded four-facet model of AMPD Negative Affectivity (Anxiousness, Depressivity, Hostility and Emotional Lability); an alternative bipolar scheme for Detachment that includes two positively keyed (Withdrawal and Anhedonia) and two negatively keyed (Risk Taking and Attention Seeking) facets; a broader five-facet model of Antagonism (Deceitfulness, Manipulativeness, Callousness, Grandiosity and Suspiciousness); and a reduced two-facet model of Disinhibition (Irresponsibility and Impulsivity). These alternative scores generally showed superior convergent and discriminant validity when compared with current measures of the AMPD domains but also raise other issues. Our findings highlight the strong overlap between normal and pathological personality and clarify the nature of the associations between them. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sex differences on the four-facet model of psychopathy predict physical, verbal, and indirect aggression.

Psychopathy is a multifaceted construct that has been linked to aggression. Yet, few studies have explored the association between physical, verbal, and indirect aggression using the 4-facet model of psychopathy in community samples, and to date, no studies exist that test for male and female differences. The present study aimed to understand what facets of psychopathy predict aggressive behavior for men and women, while controlling for important risk factors, such as Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). Drawing from a large Bulgarian community sample (N = 565), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the use of the 4-facet model of the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV; Hart et al., ). Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that physical aggression was predicted by affective and antisocial psychopathic traits, and ASPD. Verbal aggression was predicted by the interpersonal facet, and indirect aggression was predicted by the antisocial psychopathy facet and ASPD. Sex significantly moderated the associations among facets of psychopathy and physical and indirect aggression. Specifically, the affective facet was positively associated with physical aggression only for women, whereas the antisocial facet was positively associated with indirect aggression only for men. Results suggest that the 4-facet model of psychopathy is sensitive to capture important similarities and differences between males and females when predicting forms of aggression in community samples. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how men and women differ in their risk-factors for aggressive behavior, which will better inform violence interventions based on sex-specific needs.

The Four-Facet Model of Eudaimonic Resilience and Its Relationships with Mindfulness, Perceived Stress and Resilience

Elevated levels of psychological distress in university students is a growing area of concern as it is associated with a variety of consequences including mental illness symptoms, absenteeism, and poor academic performance. A growing body of research has indicated that resilience in university students is associated with reduced psychological distress and perceived stress. The construct of resilience and the factors that contribute to its development are not well understood, hampering the development of effective interventions. Key factors including mindfulness (paying attention on purpose and non-judgementally in the present moment), positive reappraisal (reframing perceived stress as meaningful), positive emotion, and reduced psychological distress are associated with fostering resilience in the face of perceived stress. These four factors are termed eudaimonic resilience. The present study examined whether perceived stress, mindfulness, positive reappraisal, positive emotion, and psychological distress accounted for variance in university student resilience (N = 164). A theoretical framework of eudaimonic resilience development was examined with mediation. Hierarchical regression indicated that mindfulness, positive reappraisal, positive emotion, and psychological distress predicted variance in resilience over and above that of perceived stress. Additionally, mindfulness, positive reappraisal, positive emotion, and psychological distress significantly mediated the relationship between perceived stress and resilience. Increased mindfulness, positive emotion, and positive reappraisal predicted increased resilience, while increased psychological distress predicted decreased resilience. These results provided preliminary support for a theoretical framework of eudaimonic resilience development and informed resilience interventions. Limitations and future research are discussed.

Psychopathy Traits and Violent Assault Among Men With and Without History of Arrest.

Although research suggests that the antisocial behavior (ASB) facet of psychopathy generally carries the greatest predictive power for future violence, these findings are drawn primarily from forensic samples and may reflect criterion contamination between historical violence and future violence perpetration. Likewise, these findings do not negate the association of other psychopathy facets to violence or their role in the development of violence, nor do they offer practical utility in the primary prevention of violence. There are a number of empirical and theoretical reasons to suspect that the callous affect (CA) facet of psychopathy may demonstrate stronger statistical association to violence in nonforensic populations. We tested the association of CA to severe acts of violence (e.g., assault with intent to harm, injure, rape, or kill) among men with and without history of arrest ( N = 600) using both the three- and four-facet models of psychopathy. CA was robustly associated with violence outcomes across the two groups in the three-facet model. When testing the four-facet model, CA was strongly associated with violence outcomes among men with no history of arrest, but only moderately associated with assaults causing injury among men with history of arrest. These results are consistent with data from youth populations that implicate early emotional deficits in later aggressive behavior and suggest CA may help to identify individuals at risk for violence before they become violent. Implications for the public health system and the primary prevention of violence are discussed.

The Relationship between the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised and the MMPI–2: A Pilot Study

The goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between Hare's four-facet model of psychopathy and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in a forensic, culturally homogenous sample. 22 male prisoners from Bergen Prison participated. There was only a statistically significant negative zero-order correlation between the total PCL-R score and the score on the Depression scale of the MMPI-2. However, the results revealed that the four facets had different underlying correlates with negative affectivity. Overall, Facets 1 and 2 showed a tendency toward a negative relationship with the clinical scales on the MMPI-2, while Facets 3 and 4 had a positive relationship. Interestingly, partial correlations showed that Facet 4 of PCL-R was the only facet that correlated statistically significantly with the scores on the Psychopathic Deviate scale of the MMPI-2.

Differential Associations Between Psychopathy Dimensions, Types of Aggression, and Response Inhibition

Findings on executive functioning in psychopathy are inconsistent. Different associations between psychopathy dimensions and executive functioning might explain contradicting findings. This study examined the role of psychopathy dimensions and types of aggression in response inhibition among 117 male adolescents (53 antisocial delinquents and 64 controls). Participants completed a self-report measure of aggression and a GoNoGo task. Psychopathy dimensions were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version. Although high scores on the antisocial dimension and reactive aggression were associated with poor response inhibition, the affective-interpersonal dimension, proactive aggression, and verbal intelligence (IQ) were related to better response inhibition (two-factor model). Associations with the affective-interpersonal dimensions did not reach significance. Exploratory analyses showed that affective and antisocial facets accounted for the obtained opposing associations of the affective-interpersonal and antisocial psychopathy dimensions with response inhibition. The interpersonal and lifestyle facets (four-facet model) were unrelated to response inhibition. Results could not be explained by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Findings suggest differential associations between the psychopathy dimensions, types of aggression, and response inhibition. Therefore, a dimensional approach to psychopathy and related concepts, such as aggression, might strongly improve diagnostic procedures. Global scores could mask important differential associations.

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders, substance misuse, and the four-facet model of psychopathy: The relationship to violence

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the four-facet model of PCL-R psychopathy and violence in a community-based sample of Australian men with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. MethodA community sample of 94 males with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders was recruited from mental health services within Victoria, Australia. Psychopathy was measured using the PCL-R. Measures of substance misuse and lifetime violence were also administered. ResultsPCL-R-total, Facets 2, 3, and 4 scores and substance misuse (DAST) scores were predictive of Violent versus Non-Violent group membership. The regression equation indicated that the predictive validity of PCL-R scores remained significant after controlling for substance misuse. An additional regression indicated that only Facets 3 and 4 were significant in predicting violence group membership. ConclusionPsychopathy (particularly the antisocial and behavioural components) was associated with lifetime violence, even after controlling for substance misuse. These findings have implications for the assessment, treatment, and management of health clients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Subtypes of psychopathy in the British household population: findings from the national household survey of psychiatric morbidity

Cleckley asserted in 1941 that psychopathic personalities are found in the community as well as prisons. Subtypes of abnormal personality may be identifiable in the general population using contemporary measures of psychopathy. Cluster analysis of PCL:SV scores using the four-facet model with a representative sample of 624 adults aged 16-74years living in households interviewed in the second of a two-phase survey in Great Britain. Analysis confirmed an optimum 5-cluster solution and existence in the general population of prototypical or criminal psychopaths, non-psychopathic habitual criminals, and "successful psychopaths". Two additional clusters were identified, one uniquely characterised by impulsive/irresponsible (Facet 3) items and the other by social failure associated with low scores on each facet. The study confirmed previously hypothesised and two new subtypes of psychopathy within the general population. This prototypical classification may compliment existing typologies during clinical assessment following further refinement.

Temperament and character as a function of psychopathy: relationships between the Psychopathy Checklist – Revised and the Temperament and Character Inventory in a sample of personality disordered serious or repeat offenders

The relationship between the concepts of Psychopathy (as conceptualised by a four-facet model of the Psychopathy Checklist – PCL-R; Hare, R.D. (2003). The Hare Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R) (2nd ed.). Toronto: Multi-Health Systems) and the biopsychosocial model of normal personality (the Temperament and Character Inventory, – TCI; Cloninger, C.R., Przybeck, T.R., Svrakic, D.M., & Wetzel, R.D. (1994). The temperament and character inventory (TCI): A guide to its development and use. Washington University, St Louis, MI: Centre for Psychobiology of Personality) was explored in a sample (N = 121) of personality disordered, serious and repeat offenders. High total PCL-R scores were associated with high Novelty Seeking and low Harm Avoidance alongside the characteristic of low cooperativeness. At a facet level, Facet 1 (Interpersonal) was associated with low Harm Avoidance, Facet 2 (Affective) with low Reward Dependence and Facets 3 (Lifestyle) and 4 (Antisocial), with both high Novelty Seeking and low Co-operativeness. The results show that the different facets of psychopathy are related to different personality constructs as defined by the biopsychosocial model, which in turn may suggest different treatment and management regimes.

Exploring Different Aspects of the Understanding of Function: Toward a Four-Facet Model

Based on a synthesis of the relevant literature, this study explored students’ display of behavior in four aspects of the understanding of function: effectiveness in solving a word problem, concept definition, examples of function, recognizing functions in graphic form, and transferring function from one mode of representation to another. A main concern was to examine problem-solving in relation to the other types of displayed behavior. Data were obtained from students in grades 11 and 12. Findings indicated that students were more capable in giving examples of function rather than providing an appropriate definition of the concept. The lowest level of success was observed in problem-solving on functions. Students’ problem-solving effectiveness was found to have a predictive role in whether they would successfully employ the concept in various forms of representation, in giving a definition and examples of function.

Domestic violence and psychopathic traits: distinguishing the antisocial batterer from other antisocial offenders

The proliferation of specialized domestic batterer treatment programs suggests that batterers differ from other offenders in important ways. The psychopathic personality represents a constellation of personality traits, which may be relevant to the differentiation of batterers from other offenders. In a sample of 172 county jail inmates, we examined whether antisocial batterers can be distinguished from the larger pool of antisocial offenders on the basis of the four-facet model of psychopathy identified for the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Batterer/non-batterer status was positively related to the PCL-R affective facet and negatively related to the lifestyle facet, but there was no significant relationship between PCL-R total scores and this criterion. Results suggest that antisocial batterers are characterized by deficient affective experience and by reduced impulsivity and irresponsibility compared with other antisocial offenders. Implications are discussed in light of specialized treatments for batterers.

Physician Satisfaction Under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan

To determine the level of professional satisfaction experienced by physicians practicing in Ontario, Canada, a probability sample of 1,028 physicians was surveyed; 69% responded. The majority of Ontario doctors were at least moderately satisfied with each of 16 aspects of their work, and the percentage who were dissatisfied exceeded 15% for only four aspects. Factor analysis suggested the presence of four underlying satisfaction facets: satisfaction with quality of care, with the rewards of practice, with patients, and with the practice environment. Multivariate regression analysis supported the validity of the four-facet model and demonstrated a consistent association between lower satisfaction and younger age, lower income, and the perception that it is difficult to obtain fair reimbursement for medical services (P less than 0.05). Least satisfied physicians were most likely to have participated in the June, 1986 Ontario doctors' strike (P less than 0.001). Despite some misgivings, the majority of physicians practicing under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan in 1987 were satisfied with their professional lives. They were least satisfied with their ability to make administrative decisions and to manipulate the system for the benefit of their patients. Policymakers should be cognizant of the effects various strategies may have upon physician satisfaction as they consider new approaches to health care organization.