NCJ Number
148017
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1994) Pages: 59-67
Date Published
1994
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The concept of psychopathy according to Cleckley's criteria is still used today; the primary characteristics of the Cleckley psychopath is lack of emotions, or affective poverty.
Abstract
The Cleckley psychopath may commit crimes without any adequate motivation; the condition excludes neurotic or psychotic symptoms. To test the hypothesis that psychopaths are predisposed to commit fraud-related offenses, this study used a sample of 92 male offenders. Participants were divided into groups by age and by recidivism; they completed the Psychopathy Checklist and were divided into three groups on the basis of that score. The results showed that the psychopaths were convicted for fraud-related crimes more often than other, nonpsychopath offenders. However, the author notes the danger of circular reasoning when considering this linkage, the drawbacks of equating convictions with crimes, and the selection of inmates from a pool where the number of thefts, fraud offenses, and traffic offenses was high. 3 tables and 16 references