Psychopathy Research

Latest research abstracts

Psychopathic Traits (and Criminal History) Predict Which Offenders Will Continue to Commit Intimate Partner Violence

Summary by Taffy Chan and the North American Research Committee   Highlights The relationship between psychopathy and committing (and re-committing or recidivism of) intimate partner violence was studied among a group of male offenders in Portugal. Criminal history factors (for example, number of prior periods of imprisonment) may be even more useful than psychopathy traits … Read more

New Research on Impact of People with Psychopathy Posted on Members Page

Four research studies that were recently presented at the 2024 international psychopathy conference are now also available on our Members page. The meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy was held in May of 2024. For example, one presentation, by Angela Book and colleagues, is titled “Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing: Psychopathic Traits … Read more

David Kosson answers common questions about psychopathy on Most Days podcast

Dr. David Kosson recently spoke with Brent Franson on the Most Days podcast. The two spoke for about an hour about the nature of psychopathy. Dr. Kosson covered a variety of different topics, including: the four validated components of clinical psychopathy assessed in the Psychopathy Checklist measures, links between psychopathy and violence, different subtypes of … Read more

Survivors of Psychopathy Report Psychopathic Individuals Over the Age of 50 Are Either Just as Bad or Become Worse as They Age

Summary by Theresia Bedard and the North American Research Committee   Highlights Victims/survivors of individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and psychopathic traits report that psychopathic/ASPD individuals continue to engage in antisocial behaviors after the age of fifty. Victims/survivors reported various harms experienced from senior psychopathic/ASPD individuals, such as anxiety/depression/PTSD, illness from stress, financial losses, … Read more

Predatory Personalities as Behavioral Mimics and Parasites: Mimicry-Deception Theory

Summary by Sara Lapsley and the North American Research Committee Highlights Describes the mimicry-deception theory (MDT) used by humans and members of other species to deceive and exploit others in their communities. Identifies two types of predators that use short-term versus long-term strategies to deceive others. Explains how MDT can be used to understand different … Read more