We have a Code 4: The MMPI-2 as a Predictor of Violence among Sexually Violent Predators
Introduction
The release rate of sexually violent predators (SVPs) from psychiatric hospitals is extremely low; it is almost nonexistent. The ongoing controversy of civil commitment laws among SVPs indicates a need for further research in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, and policy. This paper looks at the violent behavior of sexually violent predators and attempts to identify personality traits measured by a widely used personality inventory to predict violent misconduct among this population. It is important to identify reliable predictors of violence among SVPs in order to implement effective treatment, promote successful rehabilitation, and legislate …show more content…
Clinical scale 4, psychopathic deviance (Pd), aims to identify those individuals who lack moral values, avoid social situations, and are unable to show empathy towards others (Graham, 2006). The Pd. personality inventory is a 50 item assessment that characterizes daily behavior and compares responses to those of known psychopathic deviates (Graham, 2006). Yielding similar results to that of known psychopathic deviates indicates a high tendency for the personality trait. SVPs who score high on this scale, usually score (T > 65) while scoring (T > 75) indicates an extremely high score (Graham, 2006). Those who receive a high score in this clinical scale have a tendency to be aggressive, impulsive, narcissistic, and pretentious. In addition, high scorers are invested in using others as means to an end without any consideration for their feelings (Graham, 2006). Further, psychopathic deviates are extroverted individuals who make lasting impressions but only maintain shallow relationships (Graham, 2006). Their antisocial attitudes and undesirable behavior isolates them from society influencing their next …show more content…
In the past, the MMPI-2 has primarily been used to predict violence among the general prison population (e.g., murderers). However, there is very little research in the forensic behavioral sciences that analyzes the clinical scales of the MMPI-2, specifically among the sexually violent predator population. Therefore, applying the Pd. clinical scale of the MMPI-2 to this population would help identify whether individual clinical scales are useful in identifying statistically significant correlations of violence. This study examines whether SVPs diagnosed as psychopathic deviates are more likely to be violent than SVPs who have been diagnosed with any other mental illness as measured by the
Introduction
The release rate of sexually violent predators (SVPs) from psychiatric hospitals is extremely low; it is almost nonexistent. The ongoing controversy of civil commitment laws among SVPs indicates a need for further research in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, and policy. This paper looks at the violent behavior of sexually violent predators and attempts to identify personality traits measured by a widely used personality inventory to predict violent misconduct among this population. It is important to identify reliable predictors of violence among SVPs in order to implement effective treatment, promote successful rehabilitation, and legislate …show more content…
Clinical scale 4, psychopathic deviance (Pd), aims to identify those individuals who lack moral values, avoid social situations, and are unable to show empathy towards others (Graham, 2006). The Pd. personality inventory is a 50 item assessment that characterizes daily behavior and compares responses to those of known psychopathic deviates (Graham, 2006). Yielding similar results to that of known psychopathic deviates indicates a high tendency for the personality trait. SVPs who score high on this scale, usually score (T > 65) while scoring (T > 75) indicates an extremely high score (Graham, 2006). Those who receive a high score in this clinical scale have a tendency to be aggressive, impulsive, narcissistic, and pretentious. In addition, high scorers are invested in using others as means to an end without any consideration for their feelings (Graham, 2006). Further, psychopathic deviates are extroverted individuals who make lasting impressions but only maintain shallow relationships (Graham, 2006). Their antisocial attitudes and undesirable behavior isolates them from society influencing their next …show more content…
In the past, the MMPI-2 has primarily been used to predict violence among the general prison population (e.g., murderers). However, there is very little research in the forensic behavioral sciences that analyzes the clinical scales of the MMPI-2, specifically among the sexually violent predator population. Therefore, applying the Pd. clinical scale of the MMPI-2 to this population would help identify whether individual clinical scales are useful in identifying statistically significant correlations of violence. This study examines whether SVPs diagnosed as psychopathic deviates are more likely to be violent than SVPs who have been diagnosed with any other mental illness as measured by the