The two-factor model of psychopathic personality: Evidence from the Psychopathic Personality Inventory.

Abstract

Psychopathy or psychopathic personality disorder represents a constellation of traits characterized by superficial charm, egocentricity, irresponsibility, fearlessness, persistent violation of social norms, and a lack of empathy, guilt, and remorse. Factor analyses of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI)typically yield two factors: Fearless Dominance (FD) and Self-Centered Impulsivity (SCI). Additionally, the Coldheartedness (CH) subscale typically does not load on either factor. The current paper includes a meta-analysis of studies that have examined theoretically important correlates of the two PPI factors and CH. Results suggest that (a) FD and SCI are orthogonal or weakly correlated, (b) each factor predicts distinct (and sometimes opposite) correlates, and (c) the FD factor is not highly correlated with most other measures of psychopathy. This pattern of results raises important questions about the relation between FD and SCI and the role of FD in conceptualizations of psychopathy. Our findings also indicate the need for future studies using the two-factor model of the PPI to conduct moderational analyses to examine potential interactions between FD and SCI in the prediction of important criterion measures.

The Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM): Alternative to the PCL-R?

“…This could be explained by the inclusion of excitement seeking, and therefore measurement of low fear in the development of this particular scale. There remains some controversy in the field with researchers questioning the role of fearless dominance (boldness) in understanding psychopathy (Marcus, Fulton & Edens, 2012;. Specifically, it has been put forward that fearless dominance cannot be a central component to psychopathy.…”

The Abbreviated Psychopathy Measure (APM): Two Pilot Studies of a Brief Measure of Psychopathy Traits

“…Meta-analyses by Marcus, Fulton, and Edens (2013) and by Miller and Lynam (2012) led those researchers to question the role of fearless dominance (which is conceptually very similar to TriPM Boldnes) in the conceptualization of psychopathy, and to conclude that fearless dominance is not essential to psychopathy. Across 61 samples, Miller and Lynam found support for convergent and criterion validity of PPI Factor 2 (Self-Centered Impulsivity-ScI) and for the PPI total score.…”

Deficient aversive-potentiated startle and the triarchic model of psychopathy: The role of boldness

“…On the other hand, PPI-R Fearless Dominance directly assesses the traits of fearlessness and stress immunity, which are closer to classic descriptions of primary psychopathy than PCL-R (cf. Marcus et al, 2013). In contrast to PCL-R Factor 1, PPI-R Fearless Dominance shows negative associations with anxiety indices and questionnaires (Benning et al, 2003;Benning, Patrick, Blonigen et al, 2005;Edens & McDermott, 2010;Lilienfeld & Widows, 2005;Patrick, Edens, Poythress, Lilienfeld, & Benning, 2006;Ross et al, 2007;Uzieblo, Verschuere, & Crombez, 2007;Uzieblo, Verschuere, Van den Bussche, & Crombez, 2010).…”

“…First, PCL-R Factor 1 is described by selfishness, callousness, and the remorseless use of others (Hare, 1991(Hare, , 2003, whereas the PPI-R Fearless Dominance is defined by low trait anxiousness, social dominance, and fearless risk taking (Benning, Patrick, Hicks, Blonigen, & Krueger, 2003). Second, PCL-R Factor 1 and PPI-R Fearless Dominance show small-to medium-sized correlations (Baskin-Sommers, Zeier, & Newman, 2009;Benning, Patrick, Blonigen, Hicks, & Iacono, 2005;Berardino, Meloy, Sherman, & Jacobs, 2005;Malterer, Lilienfeld, Neumann, & Newman, 2010), and although related, PCL-R Factor 1 and PPI-R Fearless Dominance only share a small amount of variance (4%; Marcus, Fulton, & Edens, 2013). Last, PCL-R Factor 1 does not measure anxiety and fear directly in any of its items (Hare, 2003) correlated with anxiety and anxiety-related scales (Hare, 1991(Hare, , 2003Sandvik, Hansen, Hystad, Johnsen, & Bartone, 2015;Schmitt & Newman, 1999;Vitale, Smith, Brinkley, & Newman, 2002;Weizmann-Henelius, Viemerö, & Eronen, 2004).…”