The role of psychopathy factors in reactive aggression within a sample of prisoners
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-10-2014-0014 |
| Published date | 02 February 2015 |
| Pages | 25-33 |
| Date | 02 February 2015 |
| Author | Agata Debowska,Emek Yuce Zeyrek Rios |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Criminal psychology |
The role of psychopathy factors in reactive
aggression within a sample of prisoners
Agata Debowska and Emek Yuce Zeyrek Rios
Dr Agata Debowska is a
Lecturer in Psychology, based
at Department of Psychology,
University of Chester,
Chester, UK.
Emek Yuce Zeyrek Rios is a
PhD Candidate, based at
International Research Centre
for Investigative Psychology,
University of Huddersfield,
Huddersfield, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of four psychopathy factors (Interpersonal
Manipulation (IPM), Callous Affect (CA), Erratic Lifestyle (ELS), and Antisocial Behaviour (ASB)) and the
length of incarceration in reactive aggression. The predictive effect of dissatisfaction with peer relations,
childhood experiences of violence, and criminal friends on reactive forms of aggressive acts is also explored.
Design/methodology/approach – In total, 129 (n ¼129) male prisoners incarcerated in Stargard
Szczecinski Prison were recruited for the study. Cross-sectional design using self-report questionnaire of
retrospective and prospective nature was utilised.
Findings – Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that only one psychopathy facet, IPM, forms a
significant association with reactive aggression. Another accurate correlate of reactive aggression was the
length of incarceration.
Originality/value – The results of the present study indicate that the commonly suggested two-factor
models of psychopathy may be misguided. Future studies examining the effect of psychopathy facets on
aggression should consider IPM and CA as separate dimensions. Additionally, this study is the first to
demonstrate that reactive aggression may be exacerbated during incarceration.
Keywords Prisoners,Aggressive behaviour, Exposure to violence, Incarceration, Psychopathyfactors,
Reactive aggression
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The link between psychopathy and aggression has been the subject of investigation in
a number of studies. Psychopathy is a clinical construct characterised by a constellation of
interpersonal (e.g. deceitfulness, superficial charm, grandiosity), affective (e.g. lack of empathy,
remorse, or guilt), lifestyle (e.g. impulsivity, irresponsibility), and behavioural (e.g. social
deviance, criminality) features (Hare and Neumann, 2008). It has been established that children,
adolescents, and adults exhibiting psychopathic features tend to be more aggressive than
their non-psychopathic counterparts (Porter and Woodworth, 2007). Research results
demonstrated that psychopaths commit more violent as well as non-violent crimes in
comparison with non-psychopathic offenders (Porter et al., 2001). Psychopathy was reported
to be an accurate predictor of violent behaviour and violent recidivism (Boduszek et al., 2012;
Dhingra and Boduszek, 2013; Dolan and Doyle, 2000; Hart, 1998; Salekin et al., 1996; Skeem
and Mulvey, 2001).
Just like psychopathy, aggression does not constitute a uniform concept. Types of aggression
can be distinguished on the basis of underlying motivation (Porter and Woodworth, 2007).
Feshbach (1964) argued for a bimodal categorisation of aggression: reactive/hostile and
proactive/instrumental. Reactive aggression is conceptualised as a response to threat or
frustrationand is marked by increased levels of anger. Such aggressiveacts are not premeditated
and occur spontaneously in the face of an oncomingdanger (Blair, 2010; Blanchard et al.,1977;
Price andDodge, 1989). Following the aggressiveacts, reactiveaggressors were frequentlyfound
DOI 10.1108/JCP-10-2014-0014 VOL. 5 NO. 1 2015, pp. 25-33, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2009-3829
j
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY
j
PAGE 25
To continue reading
Request your trial