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Dissertation
Disciplinary institutional infractions: the role of psychopathy
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
May 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00009115
Abstract
Violent criminal behavior and recidivism has been a growing concern for society. Institutions such as prisons or forensic hospitals are also concerned with violent behavior during inmate or patient confinement. Prisons and mental health facilities generally dedicate significant resources to maintaining institution safety. Prediction of violent and antisocial behavior has encountered mixed results. One of the most promising personality traits in the prediction of violent and antisocial behavior has been psychopathy. This study examined whether psychopathy, as measured by the PCL-R, could be useful in predicting institutional infractions, given the success of psychopathy predicting recidivism. In addition, this study investigated whether psychopaths commit more violent institutional infractions than nonpsychopaths. The study found that psychopaths, as measured by the PCL-R, do not commit significantly more institutional infractions than nonpsychopaths. In addition, this study demonstrated that psychopaths do not commit more violent institutional infractions than nonpsychopaths. This study indicates that the PCL-R is not a useful tool for classification, therefore the PCL-R is not a prudent use of institution resources.
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Details
- Title
- Disciplinary institutional infractions
- Creators
- Melissa Jean Westendorf
- Awarding Institution
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 71 pages, 2 unnumbered pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Clinical and Health Psychology [Historical]; Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002); College of Nursing and Health Professions (2000-2002)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888846004721