The Hare Psychopathy Rating Scale

A tool for assessing the degree of psychopathy of each person.

When thinking of the concept of "psychopath", most people think of a murderer, most people think of the image of a murderer, someone who kills for pleasure and whosesomeone who kills for pleasure and whose actions obey only his own interests, with no trace of empathy and disregarding the needs, feelings and desires of those around him (whom he also uses as objects to achieve his ends). This image seems very clear... but detecting these characteristics is not so easy in real life.

It is only in relatively recent times that tools have been developed that can accurately measure this alteration, distinguishing it from mental and medical pathologies. In this sense, one of the main contributions in the detection and evaluation of psychopathic characteristics is the one made by Hare, who created Hare's Psychopathy Rating Scale or PCL (Psychopathy Checklist).

Psychopathy: what are we talking about?

To understand the Hare psychopathy assessment scale, it will be necessary first to establish a definition of what we mean by psychopathy.

The concept of psychopathy refers to a personality disorder in which there is a more or less complete absence of empathy and concern for others and a deep focus on oneself and one's own needs. It is not considered a clinical entity, ie, it is not a mental disorder. The definition of this construct can vary greatly depending on the authors who express it and the type of psychopathy we are talking about (in fact, there are many different types of psychopaths, with some authors proposing as many as nine).

Although the image that most people have of them is the one mentioned in the introduction, the truth is that not all of them are criminals or commit crimes. are not all criminals and do not all commit crimesThere are psychopaths integrated in society and in fact in many cases they become political leaders (some of whom have even committed great abuses) or great businessmen.

However, there are a number of characteristics common to psychopaths, there are a number of characteristics common to the majority of psychopathsThe most defining and determining is the inability to develop affective relationships, lack of empathy and indifference to the feelings of others. In addition, the use of others to achieve their ends, the absence of guilt and sense of responsibility for their own actions, the low intensity of most of their emotions, arrogance and egocentrism, the ability to seduce and superficial relationships in which the other is not valued and manipulation are often some of the most common characteristics.

There are also** problems in planning or valuing the future or the consequences of one's actions**, the need to seek sensations, impulsivity, discordance between language and behavior and the need for immediate gratification.

What are its causes?

It is important to note that technically psychopathy is not considered a mental disorder. It is a condition of unknown cause but in which strong genetic components have been detected (for example, it is frequent that in the study of twins it is observed that both have psychopathic traits), although at least half of the variance in the suffering or not of this alteration is linked to environmental factors.

Some Biological and temperamental differences have been observed that complicate the processes of socialization during growth, not integrating the primary experiences of socialization in an adaptive manner. These are persons who are fully conscious of their actionsThey do not present alterations in the volitional capacity and in which there is no affectation of the basic cognitive functions (beyond the emotional sphere).

PCL: The Hare Psychopathy Rating Scale

The Psychopathy ChecklistThe Hare Psychopathy Rating Scale (PCL) is one of the most widely used assessment instruments to evaluate the existence of psychopathy.

Originated and based on the grouping of the factors and criteria previously proposed by Cleckley, it is a scale created by Hare that evaluates the existence of psychopathy through 20 items. evaluates through 20 items (although originally there were 22), the main personality traits and characteristics of subjects with psychopathy.

It is a scale that must be filled in based on the information obtained during the semi-structured interview with the subject, the observation and analysis of his behavior, interviews with his environment and knowledge obtained from his file. The interview itself can be completed in about two hours, although it depends on each case. Each item is scored with a 0, 1 or 2 depending on whether the item in question cannot be applied to the subject (0), can be applied in some sense (1) or can be applied to the subject as something consistent in his/her behavior (2). The maximum score is 40 and psychopathy is considered to exist in those cases that exceed 30 points (although this should be contrasted with interviews of the subject's environment and by checking other possible interviews and records concerning the subject. Scores higher than 25 are considered predictors of antisocial and violent behavior..

It is important to bear in mind that this is an instrument created on the basis of the prison population, in clinical and forensic practice, and has proven useful for predicting the probability of recidivism, assessing possible sentence violations and predicting the occurrence of antisocial behavior.

What is assessed? Scale items

As we have seen, within the PCL (in its revised version) or psychopathy assessment scale created by Hare, we find a total of 20 items that attempt to assess the existence of different characteristics of psychopathy. Specifically, the following items or elements are evaluated.

1. Superficial charm/loquacity

One of the most common characteristics of psychopaths is their ease of manner and superficial attractiveness, often being very seductive.. They are considered fun and entertaining, and seem to have mastered many subjects and topics of conversation.

2. Egocentrism and feelings of grandiosity.

The psychopath tends to have an overvalued view of him/herself, with great self-confidence and an egocentric attitude. with an egocentric attitude.. He also tends to see only his own view of things and focus on his own needs. He may feel admired and envied.

3. Sensation seeking

Another frequent trait of people with psychopathy is the tendency to get bored easily and to seek activities that stimulate them. and look for activities that stimulate them, seeking action, competition, and competition.seeking action, competition and opportunities.

4. Pathological lying

Lying and deception are frequent elements of psychopathic behavior. He can elaborate easily believable stories and does not usually worry about being discovered. He has no trouble breaking his promises..

5. Manipulation

Psychopaths generally have a tendency to be manipulative, using their skills and seductive abilities to get others to facilitate them in obtaining and achieving their goals, frequently without concern for the effects on the person being manipulated..

6. Absence of guilt

An aspect linked to the lack of empathy, the psychopath tends not to feel guilty for what happens around him, as well as for the consequences of his actions.

7. Emotional Superficiality

Many psychopaths are known for showing a flat emotional spectrum, without manifesting great reactions and their emotional expression is often shallow and even acted out.. They may experience emotions, but they are generally considered to be low intensity and superficial.

8. Lack of empathy

One of the most fundamental characteristics of psychopaths is their lack of empathy. The psychopathic subject is usually incapable of putting himself in the place of the othersor do not value what others may be feeling or wanting. Coupled with their high capacity for manipulation, they often use others only to achieve their ends.

9. Parasitic lifestyle

This criterion assumes that many psychopaths employ their family and environment in a utilitarian way to subsist without having to make an effort, unless such work is a motivation that allows them to stand out and be number one.

10. Absence of self-control

People with psychopathic personalities may not have a deep emotionality, but their immediate their immediate behavioral reactions may be extreme.. The use of violence may be one of them, briefly and generally without causing a subsequent reaction.

11. Promiscuity

The high level of talkativeness and superficial attractiveness of many psychopaths means that they tend to have a facility for sporadic sexual relationships. Likewise, the absence of empathy and responsibility together with the search for sensations make it difficult for them to maintain more stable relationships..

12. Previous behavioral problems

It is not unusual for the psychopathic subject to have manifested behavioral problems already in childhood. In this sense is often related to dissocial disorderFor example, he/she may engage in sadistic behavior and torture animals.

13. Long-term planning problems

Another common element in psychopathy is the fact that they tend to focus on the short term and obtaining immediate gratification. They tend not to think about the future (something that also affects the lack of consideration for the consequences of their actions), or they may have some kind of goal that they have not thought about how to carry out.

14. Impulsivity

Refers to unpremeditated behavior, acting immediately according to opportunity and one's own appetite, without considering alternatives or possible consequences. without considering alternatives or possible consequences.

15. Irresponsibility

This item refers to the lack of commitment to others. He may have a certain level of loyalty to his family and close social circle, but generally does not pay great attention to obligations and duties to others.

16. Non-acceptance of responsibility for behavior

Linked to irresponsibility, the subject with psychopathy usually does not take responsibility for his own actions. Although he does not feel guilt for them, usually justifies them and uses different excuses.

17. Short-term relationships

The relationships of a subject with psychopathy are not usually stable. Although they may have a partner, as mentioned above, there is usually no lasting commitment. They may have a marriage or even children, but they are usually neglected and tend to engage in infidelity and other activities.

18. Juvenile delinquency

We have mentioned before that already from childhood the subject with psychopathy manifests a great number of traits of this condition. It is not uncommon for adolescence to present crimes of greater or lesser gravity that may have different repercussions for themselves or for others. The following are not uncommon for adolescents to commit more or less serious crimes that may have different repercussions for themselves or for others, and may even lead to serious or even bloody crimes.

19. Revocation of probation

This is an item reserved only for those subjects who have been incarcerated and may have been eligible for parole.

20. Criminal versatility

This last item refers to the existence of different types of crimes committed by the subject. various types of crime committed by the subjectThese can range from robbery, drug trafficking, murder, assault, sexual offense, kidnapping or reckless driving, among others.

General aspects to be taken into account

In the PCL or Hare's psychopathy assessment scale, as we have seen, the personality and behavior of the persons analyzed by means of it are evaluated in search of traits of psychopathy. The items in question can be grouped into different facets for analysis. Specifically, the existence of two main factors is proposed, with four factors to be taken into account within them.

Factor 1: Interpersonal/Affective

This first factor refers mainly to the more properly internal aspects of the subject, such as his or her personality, the way of approaching interpersonal relationships, affectivity and cognition. It is related to narcissistic traits. Within it we can find two basic dimensions, the interpersonal and the affective.

Interpersonal dimension

This dimension evaluates the type of relationship that the subject maintains with his/her environment and how he/she relates to others. It mainly includes the items of superficial charm, feelings of grandeur, lying, manipulation, lack of feelings of guilt, superficial emotionality, lack of empathy and non-recognition of one's own responsibility.

Affective dimension

This second dimension refers to the management and the experience of emotions by the subject.. It includes sensation seeking, lack of self-control and empathy, superficial emotionality, lack of sensitivity and empathy.

Factor 2: Social deviance

This second factor refers mainly to elements that inform us of how the subject relates to the world around him and how he behaves in it. It is more linked to factors related to the commission of antisocial behaviors. Within this we can find the lifestyle and the antisocial aspect of his personality.

Lifestyle

This refers to the type of life that the subject tends to lead on a daily basis. Items such as promiscuity, short relationships, lack of commitment or criminal versatility are included. The need for stimulation or the absence of long-term goals may also be included.sensation seeking and egocentrism.

Antisocial

This section includes the behaviors that the subject has had throughout his life, such as the presence of crimes during youth, if he has been incarcerated and if his parole has been revoked or the lack of responsibility for one's own actions.

Bibliographical references

• Folino, J.O. and Castillo, J.L. (2006). The facets of psychopathy according to the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-revised and its reliability. Revista Argentina de Psiquiatría, Vol. XVII:325-330.
• Lykken, D. (1994) Las personalidades antisociales. Barcelona: Herder.