1. Network Analysis of Psychopathy
as Defined by the PCL-R Within the Field
Gabriele Trupp, Jonathan Preszler, Marcus Boccaccini, David Marcus, Jorge Varela, & Darrel Turner
Sam Houston State University and Washington State University
ABSTRACT
RESULTS
Network Analysis provides a visual depiction of the core maintaining symptoms of a disorder, as well as how these symptoms related to one another. It also provides numerical indices that can be used to quantitatively assess the centrality of each symptom or node. Existing Network Analysis studies that focus on psychopathy suggest the affective facets are most central to the construct as a whole; however these studies rely on scores collected for research purposes, as opposed to use in the field (Preszler, Marcus, Edens, & McDermott, 2018; Verschuere et al., 2017). The current study used PCL-R scores assigned for real-world use to examine whether existing PCL-R Network Analysis findings generalize to field scores. Although findings were generally consistent with existing results, some differences call into question whether some items are interacting with one another and contributing to the construct of psychopathy the same way in the field as they are in research settings.
Network Graph
Centrality Measures Z-Scores
Betweenness
Closeness
Strength
Expected
Influence
Facet 1 - Interpersonal
1. Superficial Charm
-0.94
-1.10
-0.33
-0.20
2. Grandiose
-0.83
-0.05
-0.40
4. Pathological Lying
1.81
1.20
0.89
1.04
5. Manipulative
0.38
0.34
0.43
0.52
Facet 2 - Affective
6. Lack of Remorse
1.59
1.41
1.79
1.95
7. Shallow Affect
-0.01
-0.80
-0.68
8. Lack of Empathy
-0.17
0.92
0.93
1.08
16. Failure to Accept
Responsibility
1.50
0.76
0.27
Facet 3 - Lifestyle
3. Need for
Stimulation
1.37
1.06
0.90
9. Parasitic Lifestyle
0.49
0.64
-0.90
-0.79
13. Lack of Long-Term
Goals
-1.16
-0.71
-1.47
-1.37
14. Impulsivity
0.01
0.51
15. Irresponsibility
-0.06
0.97
0.63
Facet 4 - Antisocial
10. Poor Behavioral
Controls
-1.02
-0.50
-0.38
12. Early Behavioral
Problems
-0.73
-0.10
0.03
18. Juvenile
Delinquency
-0.39
-0.53
-0.21
-0.76
19. Revocation of
Release
-1.77
-2.23
-2.14
20. Criminal Versatility
0.60
-0.72
-0.59
-0.48
PROBLEM
Using data collected for research purposes, Network Analysis of the PCL-R has found that the affective items are more central to the construct of psychopathy. However, there is a lack of research investigating whether these results are generalizable to the field.
METHOD
Note. Higher positive numbers reflect higher centrality.
Participants
Sample of individuals convicted of a sex offense who were evaluated for civil commitment in the state of Texas
Analyses
Network analysis examines pathways between symptoms
Four measures – betweenness, closeness, strength, and expected influence – estimate the analysis of item covariance and the centrality of each item in the network
CONCLUSIONS
Although prior studies support the finding of “Lack of Remorse”, “Lack of Empathy” (Preszler et al., 2018 & Verschuere et al., 2017), and “Failure to Accept Responsibility” (Preszler et al., 2018) as being highly central items, they did not find “Pathological Lying” or “Proneness to Boredom” to be as highly central
Previous research supports our finding that many of the most highly central items are part of the affective facet, suggesting the affective facet may be the most central to the PCL-R psychopathy network
Previous studies also support the finding that items in the antisocial facet were the most depressed across centrality measures, indicating that this facet may not be as central to the PCL-R psychopathy network