NCJ Number
222292
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2008 Pages: 427-437
Date Published
April 2008
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined a sample of patients referred to a Brazilian civil psychiatric facility for valuation and consultation because of a chronic pattern of social and behavioral problems.
Abstract
The findings were consistent with the view that antisocial dispositions and behaviors, not necessarily criminal in nature, form an integral part of the psychopathy construct. In general, the patients in this Brazilian population looked like those with high Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL: SV) scores described in North American samples. Typically, the patients were seen as troublesome because of chronic disruptive behaviors that were emotionally and financially costly to those with whom they lived or were as associated in any significant way. Their antisocial behaviors consisted of recurrent and frequent violations of the rights of others for their own gain. In some cases, such violations consisted of minor infractions, such as truancy, lies, or robbery of small amounts of money that, if infrequent, might cause no serious harm. In other cases, particularly among the men, there was evidence of criminal and aggressive behavior, frequently instrumental in nature. The recurrent nature of these violations ultimately resulted in major losses for others, usually a family member or relative. The patients did not seem to care if they were causing harm to their supporters, nor did they appear to be moved by the suffering inflicted on others. They seldom acknowledged their roles as agents of that suffering. Although patients appeared warm and outgoing, excelling in social encounters with charm and wit, many used manipulation, intimidation, threats, and verbal abuse to get what they wanted. Others followed a parasitic, aimless, and unproductive lifestyle in which gambling, partying, and alcohol and drug use were common. The association between PCL: SV scores and criminal behavior were consistent with the findings from other communities and were collected from a pool of adult outpatients (N=50) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who had received neurological or psychiatric consultation over the past decade. Table, note, references