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Psychopathy in Adolescence: Assessment, Violence, and Developmental Precursors

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Psychopathy: Theory, Research and Implications for Society

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASID,volume 88))

Abstract

Psychopathy is a serious personality disorder that first manifests itself early in life and persists throughout most of the lifespan. Most clinicians and researchers agree that psychopathy is associated with a constellation of affective, interpersonal, and behavioral characteristics, central to which are a profound lack of remorse or guilt and a callous disregard for the feelings, rights, and welfare of others (Cleckley, 1976; Hare, 1991; Tennent, Tennent, Prins, & Bedford, 1990). Individuals with this disorder are typically described as impulsive, selfish, deceitful, sensation-seeking, and irresponsible. Given these characteristics it is not surprising that psychopaths commit a disproportionate amount of serious repetitive crime and violence and frequently come into contact with the criminal justice system. Despite a substantial body of work dealing with psychopathy in adults, surprisingly little work has focused on the precursors of this disorder. Understanding the antecedents of psychopathy may lead not only to a better understanding of its etiology but also its treatment and perhaps, ultimately, its prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

    Adelle E. Forth & Heather C. Burke

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  1. Adelle E. Forth
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  2. Heather C. Burke
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Douglas Inch Centre, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK

    David J. Cooke

  2. Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

    Adelle E. Forth

  3. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Robert D. Hare

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Forth, A.E., Burke, H.C. (1998). Psychopathy in Adolescence: Assessment, Violence, and Developmental Precursors. In: Cooke, D.J., Forth, A.E., Hare, R.D. (eds) Psychopathy: Theory, Research and Implications for Society. NATO ASI Series, vol 88. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3965-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3965-6_10

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