Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale Research Articles

Sensorimotor Gating in Cocaine-Related Disorder with Comorbid Schizophrenia or Antisocial Personality Disorder

Objective: Schizophrenia, cocaine-related disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and psychopathy share biological bases, but few studies discriminate between these disorders by means of prepulse inhibition. This work studies the phenotype of patients with cocaine-related disorders who are vulnerable to presenting a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia or antisocial personality disorder, by evaluating their prepulse inhibition, impulsivity and psychopathy personality traits. Methods: The sample (n = 38) was divided into three groups: (1) cocaine-related disorder (8 individuals diagnosed with cocaine-related disorder who did not present any other mental disorder), (2) cocaine-related disorder and schizophrenia (n = 14), and (3) cocaine-related disorder and antisocial personality disorder (n = 16). Results: The prepulse inhibition in the two groups with dual diagnosis was lower than that in the cocaine-related disorder group, F(2, 35) = 6.52, p = .004, while there was no significant differences between the two dual-diagnosis groups. Psychopathy was evaluated with the revised Hare Psychopathy Checklist and showed no correlation with the prepulse inhibition. Secondary psychopathy (impulsivity and poor behavior control), as evaluated with Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, was related to the prepulse inhibition. Two discriminating functions were obtained that allowed prediction of patient inclusion in the groups using the prepulse inhibition and the revised Hare Psychopathy Checklist with a success rate of 81.6% (cocaine-related disorder = 62.5%; cocaine-related disorder and schizophrenia = 78.6%; cocaine-related disorder and antisocial personality disorder = 93.8%). These results are discussed in regard to the neurobiological implications of prepulse inhibition in dual diagnosis. Conclusions: The results suggest that the prepulse inhibition is a promising dual-diagnosis vulnerability marker in individuals with cocaine addiction, because prepulse inhibition deficits are related both to schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder. In addition, prepulse inhibition, which is considered a good endophenotype for studies on the genetic and neurobiological basis of cocaine-related disorder and schizophrenia, could be used in the same way in studies on antisocial personality disorder.

Testing helping behavior and its relationship to antisocial personality and psychopathic traits

When presented with decisions that require simultaneously weighing self-benefit and other harm, adolescents with callous-unemotional traits compared with controls engage in less Costly Helping (i.e., giving up a benefit to protect a beneficent other). Young adults completed questionnaires, played an online-administered game of Costly Helping, and viewed an Elevation stimulus video (when witnessing another's act of virtue, individuals may experience a positive or elevating response). Subjects were assigned to one of four study arms, which varied the order of presentation. Higher levels of Factor 1 (callousness) psychopathic trait scale scores (assessed using the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale) were associated with significantly less Costly Helping. Elevation associated positively with Costly Helping behaviors and negatively with psychopathic traits. Introducing Elevation as an independent variable in regression analyses attenuated the relationship between psychopathic traits and Costly Helping, suggesting mediation. Those viewing the Elevation stimulus video prior to playing the game, as opposed to after, trended toward more Costly Helping by taking less money for themselves ($3.28vs. $3.72). Results support that this simple game provides meaningful behavioral data associated with psychopathic traits. Differences in Elevation may, in part, explain the observed differences in prosocial behavior in those with high psychopathic traits.

Dark Triad Traits and Perceptions of Sexual Harassment.

Those high on Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, primary and secondary psychopathy) are more likely to engage in sexual harassment and less likely to empathize with others. Few studies have, however, considered the impact of Dark Triad traits on perceptions of sexually aggressive behavior performed by others. The present study investigated the relationship between Dark Triad traits and perceptions of sexual harassment. Heterosexual women (N = 142) aged 18 to 50 years (M = 20.86, SD = 5.62) completed the NPI-16 (Narcissistic Personality Inventory), Mach IV, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, and Sexual Harassment Attitudes Questionnaire. Standard multiple regressions were conducted to investigate the extent to which Dark Triad traits predicted victim and perpetrator blame and attitudes toward victim responses to sexual harassment. Primary psychopathy was the only significant individual predictor such that women with higher levels of the trait were more likely to blame the victim and less likely to blame the perpetrator. In addition, primary psychopathy was related to higher endorsement of victim compliance, and lower likelihood of supporting confrontation of the perpetrator.

Psychological reactance as a motivation in psychopathy

This study proposed that among persons with elevated levels of psychopathy would be the motivational tendency to maintain or restore freedoms perceived as threatened or lost, known as psychological reactance (PR). Exploring the relationship between these two distinct characterological traits is essential to understanding the motivations of psychopaths in society, as well as clinical and forensic settings. This study also examined the relationship of PR to the three-factor model of psychopathy (i.e., egocentric, antisocial, and callous). College undergraduates (N = 169) were administered the Therapeutic Reactance Scale (Dowd et al., 1991) and Levenson's Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (Levenson, Kiehl, & Fitzpatrick, 1995) to assess these constructs. Sequential (hierarchical) regression analyses that controlled for demographics known to be predictors of psychopathy evidenced PR as a salient predictor of psychopathy, specifically the self-serving, manipulative, angry and impulsive facets. Although procedures were implemented to attempt to control for socially desirable response sets, omission of these sets did not appear to impact the results. Treatment implications are presented.

French Adaptation and Validation of the Expanded Version of the Three-Factor Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale.

The goal of this study (N = 432 participants from a community sample) is to report on the psychometric properties of a French adaptation of the Expanded Version of the Three-Factor Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (E-LSRP), which was developed to alleviate some shortcomings of the original LSRP. A three correlated factor exploratory structural equation modeling model showed the best fits and attained satisfactory indices. There were significant, conceptually meaningful associations with measures of Dark Triad traits, pathological narcissism, empathy, impulsivity, substance misuse, and social desirability. Incremental validity over a 19-item scale proposed by Brinkley et al. was also mostly demonstrated, especially for convergent validity. Overall, the French E-LSRP possesses sound psychometric properties, comparable for the most part with the original instrument, and should be seen as a useful measure of psychopathic traits in community samples.

Factor Structure and Construct Validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP): A Replication and Extension in Dutch Nonclinical Participants

The Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy (LSRP) scale is widely used to assess psychopathic traits in noninstitutionalized samples. Recent studies suggest that a three-factor structure measuring Egocentricity, Callousness, and Antisocial factors outperformed the original two-factor structure of the LSRP. This study replicated and extended these findings by examining the factor structure and construct validity of a Dutch version of the LSRP in a community sample (N = 856, subsamples ranging between 140 and 572 participants). Confirmatory factor analysis results corroborated the superiority of the three-factor model of the LSRP, using 19 of the 26 LSRP items. Limitations included the need to specify correlated residuals for some indicators, although these were largely in line with prior studies. Across three subsamples, we found evidence for construct validity of the LSRP subscales. Egocentricity and Antisocial showed a pattern of differential associations with external correlates in accordance with theoretical expectations. Callousness shared some correlates with Egocentricity, others with Antisocial, and uniquely predicted low morality and high physical aggression. Few exceptions to the hypothesized associations were observed, mostly concerning Callousness. Overall, the LSRP three-factor model received further support in a Dutch sample, and is thus recommended in future research, possibly adding items to improve the performance of the Callousness factor.

Evaluating the Association Between Psychopathy and Specific Attachment Models in Adults.

In the current investigation, we examined the association between psychopathy and attachment styles in several specific attachment relationships (i.e., romantic, mother, father, friend). Data were collected online from a combination of Australian university and general community samples (N = 729, 53.50% female) using the Expanded Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy scale (Christian & Sellbom, 2016) and a modified version of the Experiences in Close Relationships Structures (Fraley, Heffernan, Vicary, & Brumbaugh, 2011). Our results revealed that specific attachment models tend to have small to moderate associations with the components of psychopathy, but that the strength and direction of these associations tends to differ between figures, components of psychopathy, and dimension of attachment considered. Interestingly, it appeared that peer relationships (i.e., romantic, friend) tended to account for the majority of the variance in the relationship between psychopathy and general attachment styles, which may be an important avenue for future research.

Use of self-reported psychopathy assessments with older adults: An update on evaluation of their psychometrics for people over 60years.

Psychometric properties of self-report psychopathy scales have generally been established in samples of people under the age of 40. Personality traits are, however, likely to persist into old age, so it is important to understand the performance of user-friendly self-report psychopathy measures among older people. The aims of this study were to find out the extent to which self-reported scales developed for rating psychopathy have been used with people of 60years or older and the extent of any evidence that the psychometric properties of the scales vary with age. A systematic literature review, with searching limited to PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar for the years 1990-2017, of studies of the psychometric properties of five prominent self-report psychopathy scales: the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, Psychopathic Personality Inventory, Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, and the Elemental Psychopathy Assessment according to age of participants. Fourteen studies were found for the years 1990-2017. Age ranges in these samples are wide, with a typical mean age of approximately 30years. None of these studies focused solely on adults of 60years or older or attempted to isolate findings by specific age group. Studies of the use of self-rated psychopathy tools remain inconclusive about their psychometrics in older people. Further investigations should follow three main paths: first, deriving samples solely of older adults from the general population-to improve the generalisability of their results; second, item response theory methods should be used to detect differential item functioning between younger and older adults; finally, modifications of extant measures with and without items with potential age-bias should be tested.

Psychopathy and interests: Implications of psychopathic personality traits for vocational and avocational preferences.

General personality traits and interests, both vocational and avocational, have long been considered intertwined constructs. Nevertheless, the linkages between personality disorder features, such as psychopathy, and interests are poorly understood. This study bridges this gap by examining how psychopathic traits relate to vocational and avocational interests, and to what extent these associations are distinctive to psychopathy as opposed to a broader pattern of general and abnormal personality traits. In a sample of 426 community participants, Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised Fearless Dominance features of psychopathy were associated with interest in a broad swath of vocational and avocational interests, whereas Self-Centered Impulsivity features were associated with realistic, artistic, enterprising, and conventional interests; most zero-order associations were in the small to medium range. Coldheartedness and the factors derived from the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale were largely unrelated to interests, although there were several notable exceptions. Narcissistic traits, as well as HEXACO (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness) Honesty-Humility, Extraversion, and Openness to Experience, were also related broadly to interests. The patterns of interests associated with personality disorder traits may ultimately bear practical implications for interventions as individuals seek out positions or hobbies that suit their traits. (PsycINFO Database Record

Sex differences in the dark triad and the association with relationship satisfaction

Objective To examine the sex differences in the dark triad and its association with relationship satisfaction. Methods Totally 490 participants from institutions and corporations were assessed by Mach-Ⅳ, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP), Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and Big Five Inventory (BFI-20). Statistical analysis was performed by correlation analysis, t test and hierarchical regression analysis. Results The scores of Relationship Assessment and dark triad were shown as follows: relationship assessment (27.63±5.09), Machiavellism (53.52±8.02), psychopathy (38.45±7.52), narcissistic (18.41±7.27). Men scored higher than women in dark triad (tMachiavellism=3.226, tPsychopathy=3.070, tNarcissistic=2.900, all P<0.01). There were significant correlations between machiavellism and psychopathy, and also between psychopathy and narcissistic(r=-0.170-0.572). Linear regression showed that Machiavellism and psychopathy were consistent negatively associated with relationship satisfaction for both men and women (bMachiavellism-men=-0.104, tMachiavellism-men=-2.352, bPsychopathy-men=-0.131, tPsychopathy-men=-2.739, bMachiavellism-women=-0.121, tMachiavellism-women=-2.662; bPsychopathy-women=-0.106, tPsychopathy-women=-2.189, all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in narcissism between male and female. Conclusion For the dark triad, there are obviously sex differences and its association with relationship satisfaction are partly confirmed. Key words: Machiavellism; Psychopathy; Narcissism; Relationship satisfaction; Big five personality

Factor structure and construct validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP) in a sample of Chinese male inmates.

The current study examined the factor structure and convergent and discriminant validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy scale (LSRP) in Chinese male inmates (N = 437). The original 2-factor model, the revised 2-factor model, and the 3-factor model were tested through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Additionally, convergent and discriminant validity were examined via correlational and multiple linear regression analyses between LSRP factors and external criterion variables. Results showed that the 3-factor model fit the data better than the 2-factor model. The 3-factor model also showed reasonable convergent and discriminant validity. The findings were consistent with previous studies and suggested that the LSRP can be an effective self-report measure for assessing psychopathy in China. (PsycINFO Database Record

Dark personality, interpersonal rejection, and marital stability of Chinese couples: An actor–partner interdependence mediation model

Previous studies revealed the association between personality and relationship outcomes. Our research aimed to explore the concurrent relationship between dark personality traits and marital stability and further explore its mechanism in an actor–partner interdependence mediation model. The present study recruited 260 married couples using Mach-IV and the Levenson self-report psychopathy scale for both self- and partner-ratings of Machiavellianism and psychopathy and chose the interpersonal rejection subscale from the interpersonal cognitive distortions scale as the indicator of interpersonal cognition. Additionally, the marital instability scale (short form) was used to measure marital stability. Results showed that self- and partner-rating of Machiavellianism and psychopathy had both direct and indirect actor–partner effects on marital stability. Furthermore, dark personality by partner-rating is more likely to affect marital stability by the partial mediation of interpersonal rejection. In conclusion, interpersonal rejection plays a total or partial mediation role between dark personality and marital stability. The current study improves the theoretical framework of the relationship between personality and marital stability and provides practical significance for the maintenance of intimate relationships.

CIO inventory: A new tool for measuring personality traits common to psychopathy and narcissism and their interaction with gender

A lack of empathy, interpersonal dominance, aggression and the exploitation of others are the key features of both narcissism and psychopathic disorders. With the aim to better capture the shared facets of these traits, this study developed a new tool named the Capability to Influence Others (CIO) Inventory, which is based on the pleasantness evaluation of ten items–verbs presented in the infinitive form. The inventory, characterized by very quick submission, was administered to 67 males and 100 females and was correlated with the concurrent Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP). An exploratory factor analysis supported the presence of only one factor in both the male and female groups. Internal consistency of the CIO was very good for both men (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85; 95% CIs: 0.80–0.90) and women (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83; 95% CIs: 0.77–0.87). Further statistics showed a high correlation between the CIO and the LSRP-F1 (primary psychopathy) in both genders (r > 0.47). Clear gender differences were found in the correlation between the CIO and the NPI: the correlation was high (r = 0.58) in males and absent in females. The CIO may represent a quick and low demanding tool for a preliminary screening of individuals with high psychopathic/narcissistic traits from community samples, forensic institutions, high schools and company personnel.

General trust impedes perception of self-reported primary psychopathy in thin slices of social interaction.

Little is known about people’s ability to detect subclinical psychopathy from others’ quotidian social behavior, or about the correlates of variation in this ability. This study sought to address these questions using a thin slice personality judgment paradigm. We presented 108 undergraduate judges (70.4% female) with 1.5 minute video thin slices of zero-acquaintance triadic conversations among other undergraduates (targets: n = 105, 57.1% female). Judges completed self-report measures of general trust, caution, and empathy. Target individuals had completed the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy (LSRP) scale. Judges viewed the videos in one of three conditions: complete audio, silent, or audio from which semantic content had been removed using low-pass filtering. Using a novel other-rating version of the LSRP, judges’ ratings of targets’ primary psychopathy levels were significantly positively associated with targets’ self-reports, but only in the complete audio condition. Judge general trust and target LSRP interacted, such that judges higher in general trust made less accurate judgments with respect to targets higher in primary and total psychopathy. Results are consistent with a scenario in which psychopathic traits are maintained in human populations by negative frequency dependent selection operating through the costs of detecting psychopathy in others.

The Abbreviated Psychopathy Measure (APM): Two Pilot Studies of a Brief Measure of Psychopathy Traits

Two studies were undertaken to examine preliminary construct validity of a newly developed, abbreviated measure of psychopathy. The Abbreviated Psychopathy Measure (APM) is a 33-item inventory that is closely modeled on the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM; Patrick, 2010), with a new and more parsimonious set of items. Analyses in Study 1 ( = 126) found that the Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition scales of the APM had high internal consistency reliabilities and were highly correlated with their counterpart scales on the TriPM. The APM Total score was very highly correlated with the TriPM Total score (r = .90). Each of the APM scales was also significantly correlated with a measure of Antisocial Intent. In Study 2 (N = 140), the APM was very highly correlated with the Total score of a 36-item version of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scales (LSRP; Levenson, Kiehl, &amp;amp; Fitzpatrick, 1995). Additionally, the APM scales were associated differentially with normal range personality variables associated with psychopathy (e.g., Boldness was robustly associated with Extraversion, Meanness was highly and inversely associated with Agreeableness, Disinhibition was robustly and negatively associated with Conscientiousness). The APM appeared to differ most significantly from the TriPM in that APM Boldness was moderately correlated with Meanness and Disinhibition. APM Boldness may capture a more maladaptive quality of boldness relative to TriPM Boldness through a greater emphasis on low harm avoidance or fearlessness in comparison to TriPM Boldness. The APM is potentially a promising brief measure of psychopathy; however, further study is needed to determine whether the moderately inter-correlated APM scales can distinguish among conceptually relevant constructs. Directions for future research are discussed.

Supplemental Material for Factor Structure and Construct Validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP) in a Sample of Chinese Male Inmates

Supplemental Material for Factor Structure and Construct Validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP) in a Sample of Chinese Male Inmates

Selective Fair Behavior as a Function of Psychopathic Traits in a Subclinical Population.

Psychopathy is a group of personality traits that are associated with violations of social norms. Previous studies have suggested that people with psychopathic traits in subclinical populations do not necessarily display antisocial, self-defeating behaviors, and instead may strategically show adaptive behaviors in response to cues during reciprocal social interactions. Therefore, in the present study, we examined whether the association between psychopathic traits and unfair behavior can be moderated by a potential for punishment and social distance (anonymity), which are known to facilitate fair behavior. We focused on two psychopathic traits: primary and secondary psychopathy. Primary psychopathy is characterized by callousness, shallow affect, manipulation, and superficial charm. In contrast, secondary psychopathy is associated with impulsivity and lack of long-term goals, and is related to hostile behavior. A total of 348 undergraduate students determined the amounts of money that they would offer to strangers or friends at their university in hypothetical scenarios of the ultimatum game (UG) and the dictator game (DG). While gender affected decisions in the hypothetical scenarios of the DG, it did not interact with psychopathic traits. The score for primary psychopathy on the Levenson self-report psychopathy scale predicted unfair monetary offers to strangers in the DG, where participants could not be punished. However, compared with their offers in the DG, individuals with higher scores for primary psychopathy made larger offers in the UG, where low offers could trigger punishment from the recipient. Moreover, primary psychopathy did not decrease the amounts of offers in either game when the participant considered the recipient to be a friend. On the other hand, secondary psychopathy was not associated with differences in behavioral fairness depending on a potential for punishment or social distance. Based on these findings, we discuss strategic social skills as a function of primary psychopathy.

Dark triad traits and romantic relationship attachment, accommodation, and control

The current studies investigated the influence of Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) on women's romantic relationships. For Study 1, women (N=122) completed the Mach IV, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, NPI-16, and Experiences in Close Relationships Revised Questionnaire. High secondary psychopathy and low narcissism predicted higher levels of attachment anxiety. High Machiavellianism, primary psychopathy, and secondary psychopathy each predicted higher attachment avoidance. For Study 2, women (N=265) completed Dark Triad trait measures and the Accommodation Scale. Machiavellianism predicted lower active or passive constructive responses to a partner's destructive (or potentially destructive) behavior and lower active destructive responses. Primary psychopathy predicted greater active and passive destructive behavior whereas secondary psychopathy predicted lower active constructive responses. For Study 3, women (N=240) completed Dark Triad trait measures and the Interpersonal Violence Control Scale. Secondary psychopathy was associated with increased levels of each form of control (control through surveillance and threats, control over everyday routines and decision making, and control over autonomous behavior). Machiavellianism and primary psychopathy also predicted increased control over autonomous behavior.

Elaborating on the construct validity of Triarchic Psychopathy Measure in Chinese clinical and nonclinical samples.

The contemporary knowledge of the construct and operationalization of psychopathy in East Asian countries is still limited. The present paper examines the validity and applicability of the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM) based on the triarchic model of psychopathy in Chinese clinical and nonclinical samples. The results of Study 1 using a psychiatric patient sample (N = 193) showed that the pattern of associations between the TriPM scales (Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition) and the 3 factors (Egocentricity, Callous, and Antisocial) of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale were similar to previous studies using English-speaking samples. Study 2 examined the construct validity of the TriPM with the inclusion of culturally adapted measures as external criteria in a university sample (N = 311). The TriPM Boldness scale was uniquely associated with fearlessness, whereas TriPM Disinhibition was associated with risky behaviors. TriPM Meanness significantly correlated with a Chinese interpersonal construct, Renqing, which is a social norm of interpersonal affect and relations. Cross-cultural implications for psychopathy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Psychophysiological Responses of People with Psychopathic Tendencies to the Concealed Information Test.

This study was designed to investigate differences in psychophysiological responses among individuals with psychopathic tendencies. A total 40 students were participated and were divided into two groups based on Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP) scores: a high psychopathic tendency group selected from the top 5% of LSRP scores, and a low psychopathic tendency group selected from the bottom 5% of LSRP scores. All participants were instructed to perform a mock crime and complete the concealed information test (CIT). Results indicate that significant differences between crime-relevant questions and irrelevant questions were observed for respiration line length and skin conductance response in both groups, but heart rate did not significantly differ between groups. There were no differences in psychophysiological responses between the groups. In conclusion, CIT was found to be an effective method for detecting crime-relevant information in individuals with psychopathic tendencies.