Comparing latent profiles of psychopathy in the general population.

Abstract

The extent to which latent profiles of psychopathy manifest across the full spectrum of psychopathy (i.e., general population) is unknown. The present study sought to address this gap by subtyping adults based on psychopathic features and exploring whether these profiles differ based on external correlates: motivational tendencies, impulsivity, triarchic psychopathy, anxiety/depression and personality traits. A demographically representative sample of US adults (N = 446; M_age = 46.10; 51% female; 78.0% White) completed measures of four-factor psychopathy, motivational tendencies, impulsivity, anxiety/depression and personality traits. We identified four latent profiles of psychopathy that were conceptually similar to profiles reported in male offender samples. The impulsive-antisocial profile (i.e., high antisocial behaviour, erratic lifestyle; comparatively lower interpersonal manipulation, callous affect) was characterized by lack of premeditation, sensation seeking, low behavioural inhibition and reduced reward responsiveness when compared to the non-antisocial psychopathic profile (i.e., high interpersonal manipulation, callous affect, erratic lifestyle; comparatively lower scores on antisocial behaviour). Overall, we found evidence in favour of the suitability of self-reported psychopathy to profile individuals in the general population and its ability to distinguish between these subtypes on theoretically relevant external variables.