Controversies Around the Concept of Psychopathy and Its Usefulness in Forensic Psychological Reporting Concerning Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 226738
• Journal: Problems of Forensic Sciences Volume: 76 Dated: 2008 Pages: 382-402
• Author(s): Lukasz Barwinski; Jozef K. Gierowski
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1 HO 2A 045 29
• Sponsoring Agency: Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: Poland

Annotation

This report reviews the most recent literature on the controversies raised by the use of the term “psychopathy” in psychological assessments of adolescents, i.e., persons who do not have a fully developed personality.

Abstract

Generally, “psychopathy” is a type of personality disorder characterized by at least three dimensions: an arrogant and deceitful style in interpersonal relationships; a deficiency in experiencing, understanding, and expressing emotions; and highly impulsive behavior. The term “psychopathy” relates to a stable personality disorder. This suggests that it should not apply to children and juveniles, because they are in the process of personality formation and development that precludes stability in personality characteristics. The argument against this view is that personality disorders are developmental conditions that emerge in childhood or in adolescence and continue throughout adulthood; consequently, the identification of symptoms of psychopathy in early developmental stages is important in preventing the symptoms from becoming an embedded personality feature. The latter argument is justified based on the emergence of criminality in adolescents, especially violent criminality. Given the link between psychopathic personality characteristics in juveniles and criminal behavior, it is important to identify these characteristics in early developmental stages so as to prevent their persistence and escalation. The concept of psychopathy can thus be useful in both assessing the degree of risk for antisocial behavior in juveniles, its genesis and mechanisms, and when determining the most effective education and treatment programs for individual children and youth. Knowledge about the mechanisms of development of disturbed personality in adolescents should be a starting point for early interventions, the construction of special juvenile prevention programs, and the design of therapeutic influences. 1 table, 1 figure, and 35 references