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The Difficulty of Assessing Female Psychopathy: Methods of Measuring Psychopathy and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Function, and Misdiagnosis in Females–A Work in Progress.

Sandra J. Roberts, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences; Behavior Analysis, College of Public Affairs and Community Service; and Honors College

Craig Neumann, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences

Introduction

In deciphering why psychological assessments for psychopathy in females is problematic, a look at the symptoms of personality disorders are important.

Psychopathy Symptoms (Hare, 993). Glib and superficialEgocentric and grandioseLack of remorse or guiltLack of empathyDeceitful and manipulativeShallow emotionsImpulsivePoor behavior controlsNeed for excitementLack of responsibility Early behavior problems Adult antisocial behaviors Aileen Wuornos

BPD Symptoms (Kreisman & Straus, 1989) Troubled interpersonal relationshipsSelf-destructive impulsivity in two or more areaExtreme mood swingsInappropriate rageFrequent cries for helpSuicidal gestures or threatsSelf-mutilation

Identity uncertaintyChronic boredom Abandonment issues

Fatal Attraction

Research Questions

Abstract

If the average person is asked to name a female psychopath from a movie, s/he might name Charlize Theron’s portrayal of Aileen Wuornos from Monster or Glenn Close as Alex from Fatal Attractions, but s/he would be only half-right. Aileen Wuornos was clearly a psychopath; Glenn Close’s character displayed BPD. Similarities between psychopathy and BPD, particularly in the presentation of BPD (i.e. mood swings or affect) at the time of assessment can be confusing. Male psychopathy assessment is more precise while the female assessment seems ambiguous and indistinct. An in-depth literature review of the personality disturbances and the different psychopathy scales, such as Hare’s Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), will be beneficial in discerning why female psychopathy is often misdiagnosed.

Examples of Females in Movies with Psychopathy and BPD

The Faces of Aileen Wuornos

Types of Measurement for Psychopathy

References

Acknowledgements

1) What types of antisocial behavior do females engage in?

2) How are the female antisocial behaviors different than males?

3) Do males develop psychopathy more so than females?

4) What are the differences in male and female socialization?

5) What are the differences when comparing the male and female brain?

6) Are females more likely to develop BPD than males?

7) Are males more likely to be diagnosed with psychopathy?

8) Is the disparity in gender prevalence merely a measurement error?

Female PsychopathyGirl, Interrupted

BPDGirl, Interrupted

BPDFatal Attraction

Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) (Hare, 1993)

Psychopathic Personality Inventory Revised (PPI-R) (Edens & McDermott, 2010)

Personality Assessment Inventory (Edens & McDermott, 2010)

The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorder Personality Questionnaire (SCID-II-PQ) (Sturek, Loper, & Warren, 2008)

BPDFatal Attraction

Female Psychopath and BPDGirl, Interrupted

References

Edens, J. F., & McDermott, B. E. (2010). Examining the construct validity of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised: Preferential correlates of fearless dominance and self-centered impulsivity. Psychological Assessment, 22 (1), 32-42.

Hare, R. D. (1993). Without conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us. New York: The Guilford Press.

Kreisman, J. J., & Straus, H. (1989). I hate you-Don't leave me: Understanding the borderline personality. New York: Avon Books.

Sturek, J. C., Loper, A. B., & Warren, J. I. (2008). Psychopathy in female inmates: The SCID-II personality questionnaire and the PCL-R. Psychological Services, 5 (4), 309-319.

Weizmann-Henelius, G., Putkonen, H., Naukkarinen, H., & Eronen, M. (2009). Intoxication and violent women. Arch Womens Ment Health, 12, 15-25.

Windy K. Wilkins, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Gloria C. Cox, Ph.D., Dean, Honors College

Andrea Kirk, Ph.D., Honors College

Craig Neumann, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences