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Abstract
Although there appear to be several affective and behavioural similarities between psychopathy and alexithymia, there have been few empirical investigations of the co-occurrence of these two constructs. In this study, we determined their comorbidity in a sample of 37 female offenders. We also investigated their association with the use of affective language in response to questions about an emotional event, and with their propensity for violence. Extent of psychopathy and alexithymia were assessed with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), respectively. Using standard cutoff scores, 30% were identified as psychopaths, and 32% as alexithymics. Three women were both psychopaths and alexithymics. The correlation between PCL-R and TAS total scores was not significant, but the socially deviant, impulsive factor of the PCL-R was significantly correlated with the TAS items that reflect inability to discriminate feelings and bodily sensations. Alexithymia, but not psychopathy, was negatively related to measures of affective speech content. Both psychopathy and alexithymia were associated with a history of violence. In spite of several manifest similarities, psychopathy and alexithymia appear to be different clinical constructs.
INTRODUCTION
Psychopathy is a personality disorder marked by a particular pattern of interpersonal, affective, and behavioural symptoms. Similar to antisocial personality disorder (APD) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), psychopathy also consists of a cluster of personality traits and affective symptoms not considered necessary for a diagnosis of APD (Hare, 1996). Psychopaths typically are manipulative, egocentric, grandiose and dominant. They persistently violate social norms and expectations, frequently find themselves in conflict with the law, and are prone to instrumental aggression and violence. They display shallow and labile emotions, possess little capacity for compassion, empathy, or remorse, and form few lasting bonds with others (Hare, 1991).
Most clinical accounts of psychopathy make explicit and implicit reference to the serious difficulties psychopaths have in understanding and appreciating the emotional significance of experiences and events (e.g., Cleckley, 1976; Hare, 1993). Although these difficulties are reflected in many aspects of behaviour (e.g., Christianson, Forth, Hare, Strachan, Lidberg, & Thorell, 1996; Patrick, 1994), their influence is particularly evident in the way psychopaths process and use language. Cleckley (1976) for example stated that psychopaths know little more than the...