Development and validation of a new measure of triarchic psychopathy, derived from the alternative five factor model of personality

Abstract

Traits within the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire (ZKA-PQ) have strong theoretical overlap with facets of psychopathy and proponents of the triarchic psychopathy measure (TriPM) suggest that three dimensions of psychopathy are ubiquitous and can be observed across diverse personality inventories. In study one we evaluate the relationship between the ZKA-PQ and the TriPM and establish a triarchic measure from the ZKA-PQ item content. Triarchic psychopathy is well covered by the factors of the AFFM, particularly sensation-seeking and aggressiveness. The newly developed triarchic constructs demonstrated strong internal consistency and predominantly correlated with their counterparts in the TriPM. In study two we evaluate the validity of the triarchic constructs in relation to personality and social variables. Triarchic constructs are largely associated with personality variables in their expected direction. Furthermore, we established a relationship between the triarchic constructs and measures of trust, caution, and altruistic vs. individualistic decisions in a monetary social task.