Differential relationships between the dimensions of psychopathy and intelligence: Replication with adult jail inmates

Michael J. Vitacco, Craig S. Neumann, Thomas Wodushek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous research with adult mental health and adolescent forensic samples has found that intelligence is differentially related to the four dimensions of psychopathy. The current study evaluated the relations between the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV) factors and full-scale intelligence (FIQ) in 100 males detained in a county jail. Structural equation modeling results revealed that the PCL:SV interpersonal factor had a strong positive relationship to the FIQ latent variable, whereas the antisocial factor was moderately positively associated with FIQ. In contrast, FIQ was negatively related to both the affective and lifestyle PCL:SV factors. Overall, the psychopathy factors accounted for 25% of the variance of FIQ. The current study adds to a growing literature suggesting that features of psychopathy are differentially related to intellectual functioning.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)48-55
Number of pages8
JournalCriminal Justice and Behavior
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Intelligence
  • Psychopathy
  • Structural equation modeling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • General Psychology
  • Law

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