Verbal Functions in Psychopathy

• Author: Valentina Ladera,Victoria Perea,Ricardo García,José de Almeida Brites
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X14545608
• Published date: 01 December 2015
• Date: 01 December 2015
• Subject Matter: Articles

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2015, Vol. 59(14) 1536 –1549

© The Author(s) 2014

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X14545608

ijo.sagepub.com

Article

Verbal Functions in

Psychopathy

José de Almeida Brites1,2, Valentina

Ladera3, Victoria Perea3, and Ricardo García3

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the verbal functions and language skills of male

psychopathic individuals (in prison and outside) with non-psychopaths. The purpose

was therefore to analyze phonological processing, reading and writing skills, the

meaning of words and images, and the understanding of sentences. Ninety individuals

with an average age of 38.19 (SD = 7.67) voluntarily participated in this study. The

data were collected in different settings: prisons, a private charitable organization,

and private clinics and health centers. All participants completed the Psychopathy

Checklist Revised and the Psycholinguistic Assessment of Language Processing in

Aphasia, to assess psychopathy traits and language skills, respectively. Participants

were allocated into four different groups: incarcerated psychopathic offenders

(n = 13), non-incarcerated psychopathic non-offenders living in the community

(n = 13), incarcerated non-psychopathic offenders (n = 25), and non-psychopathic

non-offenders living in the community (n = 39). The results showed that the verbal

functions and language skills between psychopaths and non-psychopaths are very

similar, showing a common profile. The data presented indicate the need for more

specific work opportunities for both groups within the correctional setting, with the

use of appropriate language and individualized programs as necessary.

Keywords

psychopathy, language functions, language skills

1Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal

2Institution O Companheiro, Ipss, Lisbon, Portugal

3University of Salamanca, Spain

Corresponding Author:

José de Almeida Brites, School of Psychology and Life Science, Lusófona University, Av. Campo Grande,

371, Lisbon, Portugal.

Email: jose.brites@ulusofona.pt

545608IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X14545608International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyBrites et al.

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