Understanding Psychopathy: Theories and Characteristics
Psychopathy: Concept and Characteristics
Psychopathy is a concept reserved for individuals who exhibit antisocial behaviors and a lack of socialization. They are incapable of loyalty, extremely selfish, irresponsible, and have a low tolerance for frustration.
Key Characteristics of Psychopathy
- Inability to experience emotional responses
- Irresistible tendency to act impulsively
- Secondary antisocial behaviors: aggression, lack of motivation
Untreated psychopathy can lead to criminal charges due to the individual’s detachment from reality.
PCL-R Assessment Method
The PCL-R, developed by Robert Hare, is a widely used method for assessing psychopathy. It consists of 20 items divided into two factors:
Factor 1: Personality
- Superficial charm and grandiose sense of self-worth
- Pathological lying and manipulation
- Lack of remorse and guilt
- Cruelty and lack of empathy
- Failure to accept responsibility for actions
Factor 2: Social Deviance
- Need for stimulation
- Parasitic lifestyle
- Poor self-control
- Criminal versatility
- Promiscuous sexual behavior
- Juvenile delinquency
Individuals with a score of 30 or higher on the PCL-R are considered psychopathic, while those between 20 and 29 are moderately psychopathic.
Chicago School of Criminology
The Chicago School emphasizes the role of urban environments in shaping crime rates. Its key thesis is that certain physical and social characteristics of urban areas generate crime and explain its geographical distribution.
Purpose and Methods
- Concerned with urban growth and industrial expansion
- Employed empirical field research and statistical analysis
Conclusions
- Individuals who were not criminals in their home countries became offenders in America
- Change of environment reduced inhibitions and facilitated criminal behavior
- Crime occurred in border areas where different cultures intersected
White-Collar Crime
Edwin Sutherland argued that poverty and marginalization are inadequate explanations for crime, as high-status offenders often evade the law.
White-collar crimes are committed by individuals with high socioeconomic status and influence, who receive preferential treatment in the justice system.
Characteristics of white-collar crime include:
- Non-violent offenses
- Committed by individuals with economic and political power
- Violations that affect society as a whole rather than individuals
Drift Theory
David Matza proposed that individuals learn to commit crimes, but most delinquents eventually return to conventional behavior.
To neutralize the force of societal norms, individuals employ mechanisms of accommodation, including:
- Buried traditions: Values that are not openly expressed
- Neutralization techniques: Denying the wrongfulness of conduct or blaming the victim
- Preparation: Justifying actions based on technicalities or moral considerations
- Despair: Feeling compelled to commit an act to reaffirm self-esteem
Sociological Theories of Women Offenders
Otto Pollak explained female crime from a sociological perspective, emphasizing the role of gender in shaping criminal behavior.
Pollak argued that:
- Female crime rates are higher than reported due to underreporting and sympathetic treatment by authorities
- Women offenders are often punished more severely than men
Role theory suggests that as gender roles become more equal, female criminality will increase and resemble that of men.
Positivist School
Based on Lombroso’s theories, the Positivist School focused on the biological and psychological characteristics of offenders.
Lombroso proposed that certain physical traits indicated a predisposition to crime, including:
- Atavistic features
- Moral insanity
- Epilepsy
Lombroso believed that some offenders could be rehabilitated through environmental and educational interventions.
Characteristics of Psychopathy According to Cleckley and Hare
- Absence of nervousness
- External charm and intelligence
- Egocentricity and inability to love
- Lack of basic emotional reactions
- Lack of guilt or remorse
- Unworthy confidence
- Lies and insincerity
- Inability to follow life plans
- Impersonal sexual behavior
- Alcohol abuse