Background

PCL-R (Psychopathy Checklist Revised) Test

Uploaded 10/20/2010, approx. 3 minute read

My name is Sam Vaknin. I am the author of Malignant Self-Love, Narcissism Revisited.

The PCLR, the Psychopathy Checklist Revised Test, is a prime example of everything that is wrong with psychological tests and structured interviews, and why they have very dubious, predictive and retrodictive power.

The second edition of the PCLR test, originally designed by the controversial maverick, Canadian criminologist Robert Hare in 1980 and again in 1991, this second edition contains 20 items designed to rate symptoms which are common among psychopaths in forensic populations, for instance, prison inmates or child molesters. The test is designed to cover the major psychopathic traits and behaviors, callous, selfish, remorseless use of others, known as factor one, chronically unstable and antisocial lifestyle, factor two, interpersonal and affective deficits, impulsive lifestyle and antisocial behavior and so on. The 20 traits assessed by the PCLR score are glib and superficial charm, grandiose, exaggeratedly high estimation of oneself, need for stimulation, pathological lying, declining and manipulativeness, lack of remorse or guilt, shallow affect, superficial emotional responsiveness, callousness and lack of empathy, parasitic lifestyle, poor behavioral controls, sexual promiscuity, early behavior problems, lack of realistic long-term goals, impulsivity, irresponsibility, failure to accept responsibility for own actions, many short-term marital relationships, juvenile delinquency, revocation of conditional release and finally criminal versatility.

Psychopaths score between 30 and 40. Normal people score between 0 and 5.

Last time I took the test I scored 13, 1, 3. Not exactly a psychopath but not exactly normal either.

But here himself was known to label as psychopaths, people with a score as low as mine, 13.

The PCLR is therefore an art rather than a science and it leaves much to the personal impressions of those who administer it.

As I said, even here himself contradicted his own teachings regarding the test.

The PCLR is based on a structured interview and collateral data gathered from family, friends and colleagues and from documents. The questions comprising the structured interview are so transparent and self-evident that it is easy to lie one's way through the test and completely skew its results.

Questions are naive.

Moreover, scoring by the diagnostician is highly subjective, which is why the DSM and the ICT stick to observable behaviors in their criteria for antisocial or dissocial personality disorders.

Here's woe is widely rejected by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Committee. His test and his distinctions between psychopaths and patients with antisocial personality disorders have yet to make the mainstream of current thinking.

The hope of the designers of the PCLR test is that information gathered outside the scope of a structured interview will serve to rectify any potential abuse, diagnostic bias and manipulation by both the testee and the tester.

The PCLR, in other words, relies on the truthfulness of responses provided by notorious liars, psychopaths and all the biased memories of multiple witnesses, all of them close to the psychopaths and with an axe to grind.

These are not truly good foundation for any scientific endeavor, let alone for a test who pretends and claims and aspires to diagnose an allegedly and ostensibly objective phenomenon, antisocial personality disorder.

If you enjoyed this article, you might like the following:

Rorschach's Inkblot Test

The Rorschach Ink Blots Test is a diagnostic tool developed by Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach. The test uses ambiguous ink blots to provoke free associations in the test subject, and the diagnostician records the patient's responses as well as the ink blots' spatial position and orientation. The test is highly subjective and depends on the skills and training of the diagnostician and his interpretative abilities. It cannot be used to reliably diagnose patients, but it can draw attention to the patient's defenses and personal style.


Disorders of Eating and Personality (3rd International Conference on Neurology and Brain Disorders)

Eating disorders are complex and often comorbid with personality disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder. The key to improving the mental state of patients with both disorders is to focus on their eating and sleeping disorders first. By controlling their eating disorder, patients can reassert control over their lives, leading to better regulation of their sense of self-worth, enhanced self-confidence, and self-esteem. Treatment options include medication, cognitive or behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and family therapy. Recovery prognosis is good after two years of treatment and support.


Psychology of Swinging (The Lifestyle)

Swinging, also known as group sex or spouse-sharing, involves sexual acts performed by more than two participants. The psychological background to such pursuits is not clear, but thousands of online chats reveal ten psychodynamic strengths. These include latent and overt bisexuality and homosexuality, the Slut-Madona complex, voyeurism and exhibitionism, vicarious gratification, masochism, legitimized cheating, alleviating boredom, displaying partners, and objectification. Swinging can be a form of art, entertainment, and intimacy-enhancing recreation, but it can also provoke anxiety, romantic jealousy, and guilt.


MMPI-2 Psychological Test: Controversial, but Hard to Fake

The MMPI-2 test booklet has 567 items, but a rough assessment can be made based on the first 370 queries. The items are arranged in scales, and the responses are compared to answers provided by control subjects. The nature of the deviation determines the patient's traits and tendencies, but not their diagnosis. The test results place the subject in a group of patients who reacted similarly, and the validity scales indicate whether the patient responded truthfully and accurately or was trying to manipulate the test. The clinical scales measure various mental health issues, and the interpretation of the MMPI-2 is now fully computerized.


Personality Types: Which Are YOU?

Type theory in psychology categorizes individuals based on personality characteristics, with historical roots tracing back to ancient Greek humoral theory and later developments by figures like Freud and Jung. Freud's libidinal types theory classifies personalities into erotic, obsessional, and narcissistic types based on the distribution of libido, while Jung's typology focuses on attitudinal and functional types, emphasizing introversion, extroversion, and the dominant functions of the psyche. Additionally, personality classifications such as type A, B, D, and T highlight various traits, with type A being competitive and ambitious, type B being easygoing, type D being distressed, and type T being thrill-seeking. Despite the appeal of categorizing personalities, the rigor and substantiation of these theories remain limited, reflecting a desire for control and understanding in a complex world.


Borderline's Miracle Healing

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is less prevalent than commonly believed, affecting about 1-2% of the general population, yet it accounts for a significant portion of mental health treatment cases due to crises. The prognosis for BPD is generally positive, with many individuals experiencing spontaneous remission or significant improvement through therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), leading to a high percentage of patients no longer meeting diagnostic criteria over time. While symptoms related to impulsivity and behavior tend to remit more quickly, some underlying traits and dysfunctional behaviors may persist even after the disorder itself has resolved. Effective treatment should not only address the core symptoms of BPD but also focus on helping individuals develop functional skills for social and vocational success, particularly in younger populations.


Personality or Gut Disorders? Microbiome and Mental Illness

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in mental health, influencing not only brain function but also personality and temperament through a bidirectional relationship. This relationship suggests that gut bacteria can affect emotional states and behaviors, while psychological conditions can alter gut microbiota composition. Research indicates that disturbances in gut bacteria are linked to various psychiatric disorders, including borderline personality disorder, and that early life factors, such as maternal gut health, can impact the development of these conditions. The interconnectedness of bodily systems challenges traditional views of mental health, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to treatment that considers the gut-brain axis. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of gut health in understanding and potentially treating mental health issues.


Psychological Tests and Structured Interviews: Introduction

Personality assessment combines both art and science, with standardized psychological tests and structured interviews designed to minimize bias and ensure objectivity. These tests often limit responses to specific formats, such as true or false, and rely on automated scoring to reduce human involvement in data gathering. However, interpretation remains crucial, and practitioners typically use multiple tests to create a coherent picture of an individual's personality, ensuring that results align across different assessments. The distinction between objective and projective tests highlights the varying levels of structure and potential bias in scoring, with projective tests relying heavily on the clinician's judgment and interpretation.


Drama Queens/Kings: Narcissists, Borderlines

Dramatic behavior is common in cluster B personality disorders, such as narcissistic, borderline, and antisocial personality disorders. Drama serves various psychological functions, including enhancing functionality, distancing oneself from trauma, regulating self-esteem, and manipulating others. It can also be a diversionary tactic or a form of emotional blackmail. While attention-seeking is often associated with dramatic behavior, it is not the primary motivation for most individuals with cluster B personality disorders.


Over-sexed: Histrionic Personality Disorder and Narcissism

Histrionic personality disorder is more commonly diagnosed in women, leading to questions about whether it is a real mental health problem or a reflection of a patriarchal society. Histrionics crave attention and are uncomfortable when not at the center of it, similar to narcissists. They are preoccupied with physical appearance and sexual conquests, and often act flirtatious and seductive. Histrionics are enthusiastic and emotional, but their behavior can be exhausting and off-putting to others.

Transcripts Copyright © Sam Vaknin 2010-2024, under license to William DeGraaf
Website Copyright © William DeGraaf 2022-2024
Get it on Google Play
Privacy policy