Identifying vulnerability to violence: the role of psychopathy and gender
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-06-2017-0029 |
| Date | 09 May 2018 |
| Published date | 09 May 2018 |
| Pages | 125-137 |
| Author | Mary B. Ritchie,Julie Blais,Adelle E. Forth,Angela S. Book |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Criminal psychology,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Deviant behaviour,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Identifying vulnerability to violence: the
role of psychopathy and gender
Mary B. Ritchie, Julie Blais, Adelle E. Forth and Angela S. Book
Abstract
Purpose –Recent research has suggested that a heightened sensitivity to nonverbal cues may give individuals
with psychopathic traits an advantage when selecting potential victims. The purpose of this paper is to examine the
effect of gender on the association between psychopathy and perceptions of vulnerabi lity to violent victimization.
Design/methodology/approach –A sample of 291 undergraduatestudents viewed a series of eight videos
depicting individual female targets walking down a hallway from behind. Participants rated each target’s
vulnerability to violent victimization and provided a justification for each rating. In addition to these ratings,
participants completed the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale.
Findings –A series of hierarchical linear regressions revealed gender differences in the association between
psychopathy and accuracy. Among male observers, total psychopathy scores, Factor 2 psychopathy
scores, and scores on the antisocial behavior facet were positively associated with accuracy in perceiving
vulnerability to violent victimization. Conversely, no associations were identified between psychopathy (total,
Factors, and facets) and accuracy among female observers. This suggests that the adept ability to accurately
perceive nonverbal cues signalling vulnerability is specific to males exhibiting psychopathic traits.
Originality/value –The results of the current study highlight the importance of distinguishing male and
female psychopathy in research and practice. Moreover, with an understanding of individual differences in the
ability to accurately perceive nonverbal cues associated with vulnerability, we may begin to develop
intervention strategies aimed at reducing future incidences of victimization.
Keywords Gender, Vulnerability, Victimization, Psychopathy, Nonverbal cues, Victim selection
Paper type Research paper
According to the US Department of Justice, in 2010, the accused was a stranger to the victim in
approximately 38 percent of all nonfatal incidents (Harrell, 2012). Of these nonfatal incidents
involving strangers, 60 percent were simple assaults, 20 percent were aggravated assaults,
17 percent were robberies, and 2 percent were sexual assaults or rape (Harrell, 2012). Given the
relatively high rate of violent crime committed by strangers, it is important to explore the process
of victim selection among perpetrators of stranger crime. It is possible that these perpetrators
exploit certain cues associated with vulnerability when selecting potential victims. For example,
studies have established cues associated with nonverbal behavior (e.g. gait) as indicators of
vulnerability (e.g. Grayson and Stein, 1981; Murzynski and Degelman, 1996). Recently, individual
differences have been identified in the ability to accurately perceive others’vulnerability based on
these nonverbal cues (Book et al., 2013; Wheeler et al., 2009). These studies provide evidence
that individuals scoring higher on psychopathy are more proficient in correctly identifying
vulnerability among victims and nonvictims compared to individuals scoring lower on
psychopathy (Book et al., 2013; Wheeler et al., 2009). With evidence of an association
between psychopathy and accuracy in perceiving vulnerability to victimization, the present study
sought to expand the current understanding of this relationship by examining the impact of
observer gender and identifying the most salient facet(s) of psychopathy. This study also utilized
a more specific definition of violent victimization than had previously been used.
Nonverbal cues to vulnerability
Across studies, researchers have suggested that certain traits, such as submissiveness and
dominance, are distinguishable based on nonverbal cues such as body language and gait
Received 23 June 2017
Revised 6 October 2017
Accepted 20 November 2017
Mary B. Ritchie is a PhD
Student at the University of
Western Ontario, London,
Canada.
Julie Blais is an Assistant
Professor and Adelle E. Forth
is an Associate Professor,
both at the Department of
Psychology, Carleton
University, Ottawa, Canada.
Angela S. Book is an Associate
Professor at the Department of
Psychology, Brock University,
St Catharines, Canada.
DOI 10.1108/JCP-06-2017-0029 VOL. 8 NO. 2 2018, pp. 125-137, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2009-3829
j
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY
j
PAG E 12 5
To continue reading
Request your trial