The aim of this research was to identify differences in personality that correlate with attraction to potentially psychopathic individuals. A sample of 587 (437 female) undergraduate psychology students at the University of Central Florida were recruited for participation. The participants were presented with a fictional dating profile of a psychopathic individual of the other sex. Participants were asked to rate their attraction to the individual portrayed in the dating profile, and proceeded to complete a series of personality instruments. Data was analyzed using a multiple regression analysis at a 0.05 confidence interval. High levels of attraction were significantly predicted by scores on psychopathy, need for affiliation, empathy, and impulsivity.

Individuals presenting with high levels of psychopathy demonstrate chronic and severe antisocial behavior and poor treatment outcomes in response to generalized rehabilitative programs. Recent research has examined the relationship between delinquency in child/adolescent populations and subsequent psychopathy. Focusing on community based/referred population of at-risk youth, this study developed and examined the effectiveness of an 18-session, psychopathy-focused, group CBT treatment program. The study incorporated treatment (n = 34) and usual-care comparison (n = 30) groups and a brief follow up period. Treatment outcomes examined measures of psychopathy, anger, impulsivity, motivation for treatment, self-reported problems, and indices of behavior. The treatment program demonstrated reductions in psychopathy on the Interpersonal (d = .55) and Affective facets (d = .24) of the PCL:YV. It also reduced overall impulsivity and improved anger suppression and treatment motivation, particularly among youth presenting with higher levels (relative to this study) of psychopathy. As a result of treatment, decreased incidents with the juvenile justice system were also observed, both during the treatment period and at six weeks follow-up. This study provides an initial empirical foundation for the ongoing development of targeted interventions for youth demonstrating psychopathic traits.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:39:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Kenia Peres.pdf: 681822 bytes, checksum: 37bf7f6d6458e1551da327a025504d32 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-05-21 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This thesis is the result of the extensive research in psychopath, a psychopathologic phenomenon so common in our society nowadays; however, it s very little explored, maybe because of the difficult technique in handling with these patients. The interest in understanding the psychodynamics of these people matches my Professional development, as a researcher and as a psychologist. In this work I have used, besides the bibliography research of the psychoanalytic theory about the issue, studies of real cases and more stores with the intention of enrich such investigation. The objective of this study is besides of the thinking exercise to understand the psychopathic person, to create resources to develop ways to handle with these patients and, consequently diminish the psychic suffering of them, of the ones who are near them and all society. The methodology used in this work is psychoanalysis, as a theory of the psyche, investigative method of the unconscious and therapeutic technique / Esta dissertação é resultado de extensa pesquisa sobre a psicopatia, fenômeno psicopatológico tão recorrente no cotidiano social, porém pouco explorado, talvez pela indiscutível dificuldade técnica no manejo desses pacientes. O interesse em compreender o psicodinamismo desses indivíduos caminha paralelamente ao meu desenvolvimento profissional, tanto como pesquisadora como psicóloga clínica. Neste trabalho, utilizei além da pesquisa bibliográfica da teoria psicanalítica sobre o tema, estudos de casos reais e cinematográficos, a fim de enriquecer tal investigação. A finalidade deste estudo é além do exercício do pensamento clínico para a compreensão do indivíduo psicopático, criar subsídios para o desenvolvimento do manejo clínico desses pacientes e, conseqüentemente diminuir o sofrimento psíquico dos mesmos, daqueles que o cercam e de toda sociedade. A metodologia de trabalho é a psicanálise, enquanto teoria do psiquismo, método de investigação do inconsciente e técnica terapêutica

Dexter Morgan is a serial killer, but he may not be blameworthy for his actions There are two possible explanations that could absolve Dexter of moral responsibility: (1) His inability to empathize with others makes it so that he cannot make appropriate moral decisions. Or (2) his serial killing tendencies are determined in nature, set off by events of which he had no control. I conclude that Dexter is, in fact, morally responsible for his actions because he is capable of second order desires

Callous and unemotional (CU) traits in children with conduct problems have been indicated as precursors to adult psychopathy. The analysis of the sensitivity to rewards and punishment in this population may be useful in the identification of effective behavior modification programs and particularly the delineation of ineffective punishment procedures. Scores on the Child Psychopathy Scale, Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits, Contingency Response Rating Scale and the Sensitivity to Reward Sensitivity to Punishment – Children Revised scale were used to evaluate 20 children, aged 7-13, recruited from FIU’s Center for Children and Families. The sample comprised 14 males and 6 females displaying a range of psychopathic traits measured by the CPS, with scores from 9 to 46 (M = 28.45, SD = 10.73). Sensitivity to punishment was examined using a behavioral task in which children endured various amounts of either white noise (type I punishment) or time-out from positive reinforcement (type II punishment) in order to gain access to a demonstrated reinforcer. The sample was stratified on the basis of the magnitude of psychopathy scores, and sensitivity to rewards and punishment were evaluated using a Behavioral Activation / Behavioral Inhibition framework by examining task performance: the frequency and duration of punishment conditions selected, electrodermal activity (skin conductance response), and parent-reported measures of child sensitivity to reward and punishment. Results indicated that the magnitude of CU traits was directly proportional to hyposensitivity to punishment and hypersensitivity to reward. Children with elevated levels of CU traits elected to endure a greater frequency and duration type I punishment in order to maintain continued access to the reinforcer. Significant differences were not found between high- and low-psychopathy children in the selection of type II punishment. The findings indicate that although there may be a hyporeactivity to type I punishment in children with CU traits, the use of a type II punishment by the removal of a positive stimulus has demonstrated treatment efficacy. The difference in sensitivity to rewards and the types of effective punishment in children with CU traits may affect reinforcement based learning, leading to the ineffectiveness of traditional methods informing the development of social responses.