Psychopathic Behavior

Abstract

(from the chapter) This chapter provides a framework for evaluating the conceptualization of psychopathy. The first part of this chapter examines the currently dominant construct and measures of psychopathy. The second part considers possible biases in the construct and some alternative conceptualizations that have been proposed. Progress in conceptualizing psychopathy calls for the adoption of broader perspectives grounded in theories of personality. Only by setting psychopathy in the wider theoretical context of human adaptation will the concept contribute to a science of personology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).