Generalizability of Psychopathy Network Analysis Findings to Scores Assigned to Individuals Convicted of a Sex Offense

Abstract

Despite being well-researched, the conceptualization of psychopathy incites much debate within the field. Results from network analysis can inform these debates by graphically and quantitatively depicting the core characteristics of the construct of psychopathy. Existing network studies with Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL-R) scores suggest the affective traits are most central to the construct of psychopathy, but more studies are needed. The current study examined network models developed using data from risk assessments of individuals convicted of a sex offense ( N = 615). Findings corroborate some aspects of previous network studies in that affective features were most central to the construct and antisocial traits were least central, but there were instances of traits with notably higher centrality (e.g., Pathological Lying, Need for Stimulation, and Impulsivity) or lower centrality (e.g., Shallow Affect) than in prior research, suggesting that trait centrality may vary depending on the sample and evaluation context.