An alternative explanation for cross-cultural differences in the expression of psychopathy

Abstract Multicultural research has shown that rates of psychopathy differ between North America and Europe. Many suggestions have been given to help explain this divergence, including: cultural factors, migration, and inter-rater effects. However, past research has not explored the possibility that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aggression and violent behavior 2008-06, Vol.13 (3), p.229-236
Main Authors: Wernke, Melinda R, Huss, Matthew T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Cross cultural
Cross-cultural analysis
Crosscultural studies
Cultural aspects
Cultural differentiation
Europe
Imprisonment
Medical sciences
Multicultural
Multiculturalism
North America
Psychiatry
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychopathy
Social behavior disorders. Criminal behavior. Delinquency
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Summary:Abstract Multicultural research has shown that rates of psychopathy differ between North America and Europe. Many suggestions have been given to help explain this divergence, including: cultural factors, migration, and inter-rater effects. However, past research has not explored the possibility that samples may be inherently different independent of a cultural factor. This paper explores the prospect of multicultural samples differing due to effects of the legal system. Research suggests that incarceration policies may affect the percentage of psychopaths in the prison systems, where the majority of psychopathy research takes place. Future research and policy implications are discussed to further explore this possibility.
ISSN:1359-1789
1873-6335
DOI:10.1016/j.avb.2008.04.004