“I know I don’t like this guy, but I can’t put my

finger on why”

The Assessment & Use of Psychopathic Traits in the

Management of Sex Offenders

Kenneth J. Duszynski, M.Ed., C.R.C.

NYSATSA Conference

Turning Stone May 2010

• Good people are rarely suspicious: they cannot imagine others doing things they themselves are incapable of doing, usually they accept the undramatic solution as the correct one, and let matters rest there. Then too, the normal are inclined to visualize the [Psychopath] as one who’s monstrous in appearance as he is in mind, which is about as far from the truth as could well get…

These monsters of real life looked and behaved in a more normal manner than their actually normal brothers and sisters, they presented a more normal picture of virtue than virtue presented of itself---

Just as the wax rosebud or the plastic peach seemed more perfect to the eye, more what the mind thought a rosebud or a peach should be, than the imperfect original form from which it had been modeled.

--William March, The Bad Seed

Elements of Psychopathy #1

• Psychopathy is characterized by something wrong with the person’s conscience (They either don’t have one or it is full of “holes.”)

• They are able to neutralize or negate any sense of conscience or future time perspective

• They only care about fulfilling their own needs and desires – even to the extremes

Elements of Psychopathy #2

• Weak or unelaborated conscience

• They are not ashamed of the same things that the average person would be ashamed of

• “Like Feral Children as Grown Ups” – taking pleasures and gratifying impulses at every opportunity and temptation. They especially enjoy bending and breaking the rules.

Elements of Psychopathy #3

• Never seem to break out of low-paying dead-end type of jobs

• Seem happy with their lives

• Unburdened by any sense of negative self-worth

• Not bothered by the fact that they are not functional, contributing members of society (i.e. Irresponsible parenting)

Elements of Psychopathy #4

• Superficial charm and “good” intelligence

• Absence of delusions and other signs of irrational behavior

• Absence of anxiety (nervousness) or psychoneurotic manifestations

• Low heart rate/sound sleepers

• Unreliability/Untruthfulness

• Lack of remorse or shame

Elements of Psychopathy #5

• Their behavior cannot be understood in terms of anti-social rearing or development

• They are morally depraved individuals who represent the monsters in our society

• They are untreatable predators whose violence is planned, purposeful, and emotionless

• Their violence reaches a plateau at about age 50 and then seems to taper off

Elements of Psychopathy #6

• They do not respond to punishment, apprehension, stress, or disapproval.

• They seem to be able to inhibit their antisocial impulses most of the time, not because of conscience, but because it suits their purpose at the time.

• They repeat criminal/sexual acts due to their inability to generate pleasure from mental imagery (memory)

Elements of Psychopathy #7

• Words do not seem to have the same meaning for them as they do for others. In fact, it is unclear if they even grasp the meaning of their own words, a condition that researchers called "semantic aphasia.“

• They do not follow any life plan, and it seems as if they are incapable of experiencing any genuine emotion.

Elements of Psychopthy #8

• They are natural-born intraspecies predators who satisfy their lust for power and control by charm, manipulation, intimidation, and violence.

Psychopathic TraitsEmotional/Interpersonal

• Glib and Superficial Charm• Egocentric and Grandiose• Lack of Remorse or Guilt• Callousness and Lack of Empathy• Conning and Manipulative• Shallow Emotions• Pathological Lying• Failure to Accept Responsibility

Psychopathic TraitsSocial Deviance

• Impulsive/Irresponsible• Poor Behavioral Controls• Need for Stimulation/Proneness to

Boredom• Parasitic Lifestyle• Early Behavioral Problems• Lack of Realistic Long Term Goals• Criminal Versatility

Glibness Superficial CharmIn Detail

• Voluble – characterized by ready or rapid speech

• Verbally Facile - easily accomplished or attained, shallow or simplistic, used or comprehended with ease, readily manifested and often lacking sincerity or depth, mild or pleasing in manner or disposition

• Likeable or pitiable

First 50 Clinical Contacts

• Specific Knowledge of Offence

• Reading Victim Statements

• No Trust Earned

• Skepticism of Supervising Officer

• Denial of the Offence

• Lack of responsibility

• Superficial/Transparent Kindness

• Protect the Victim Allegiance

Next 150 Contacts

• Development of the Therapeutic Relationship

• Familiarity• Relationship grows in Depth• Development of “Trust” (See recidivism)• “This Guy is Different”• Compliance• Belief in the Concept of Change• “It is going to be OK”

Idiosyncratic Credit

• Idiosyncratic credit is an allowance for leeway that is gained through making good contributions to the program by volunteering, working hard, and doing more than is expected. Someone who has gained idiosyncratic credit is allowed to do something dumb or wrong while performing tasks. The catch is, that person isn't granted permission to all of a sudden start being a total idiot all the time.

Top Qualities of Good Therapists

• Good Therapists are Compassionate and Caring

• Good Therapists are Introspective and Self-Aware

• Good Therapists Need Strong Interpersonal Skills

• Good Therapists are Patient

• Good Therapists are Ethical, Moral, and Law-Abiding

What to Do?• Always remember the goal is risk reduction not

elimination….• You can teach a leopard not to bite but you

can’t erase the spots….• You cannot change the core essence of what a

person is……• Remember what the science tells us….• “A man’s got to know his limitations…”• Sex offences are generated out of negative

emotional states

Criminogenic Needs for Sexual Recidivism (Hanson)A-list (3+ Studies)

• Offence-Supportive Attitudes• Intimacy deficits

– Emotional congruence with children– Lack of stable love relationships– Conflicts in intimate relationships

• Negative Social Influences• Poor Cognitive Problem-Solving• Grievance/Hostility

Criminogenic Needs for Sexual Recidivism

B-list (at least one prediction study)

• Sexualized coping• Callousness/Lack of concern for

others• Poor emotional control• Hostile beliefs about women• Adversarial sexual orientation• Machiavellianism

Possible Criminogenic Needs for Sexual Recidivism (some evidence)

• General and sexual entitlement• Fragile narcissism• Delinquent pride• Loneliness

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• Hare's PCL-R (Psychopathy Checklist – Revised) 20-item checklist was developed after years of research on and interviews with psychopaths. Here are the key concepts in the PCL-R:

• 1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• 2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• 3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• 4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.

• 5. CONNING AND MANIPULA TIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• 6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.

• 7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• 8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.

• 9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R• 10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS --

expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.

• 11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• 12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.

• 13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R• 14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors

that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.

• 15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• 16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R• 17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL

RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.

• 18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.

Robert Hare’s PCL-R

• 19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.

• 20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride with getting away with crime.

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

• Is a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotional adjustments, and marked impulsivity demonstrated in a variety of contexts.

“Opposites Attract” #1

• As opposed to disorders along the antisocial spectrum which can be said to represent a disease of detachment, borderlines and the obsessive-compulsives can be said to be afflicted with a disease of attachment.

“Opposites Attract” #2

• Such people are often pathologically attached -- to persons, places, and things -- so much that they sometimes block out any other person's right to an opinion or thoughts of their own. As with all personality disorders, there is a disinhibition of violence, and sometimes violence may be directed toward another person. That is usually when they come to the attention of criminal justice authorities.

“Opposites Attract” #3

• Relationships hold sway over the control (or lack of control) in these kinds of people.

• Researcher Dr. Drew is a source of information on sex-related relationship issues. Dr. Drew's theory (and one with wide ramifications) is that women with borderline personality disorders tend to be attracted to and maintain relationships with men who manifest symptoms of psychopathic personality disorder.

Conclusions• Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”

• If you're havin' trouble with your high school head/huh, huh, huh, huhHe's givin' you the blues/huh, huh, huh

You wanna graduate but not in 'is bed/huh, huh, huh, huhHere's what you gotta do/huh, huh, huh

Pick up the phone, I'm always home/huh, huh, huh, huh, huhCall me anytime/huh, huh, huh

Just ring: three-six-two-four-three-six, heyI lead a life of crime

•Dirty deeds done dirt cheapDirty deeds done dirt cheapDirty deeds done dirt cheap

Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheapDirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap

You got problems in your life of love/huh, huh, huh, huhYou got a broken heart/huh, huh, huhHe's double-dealin' with your best friend/huh, huh, huh, huh, huhThat's when the teardrops start FELLA, well-uh/huh, huh, huhPick up the phone, I'm here alone/huh, huh, huh, huh, huhOr make a social call/huh, huh, huh, huhCome right in, forget about himWe'll have ourselves a ball, eh

Dirty deeds done dirt cheapDirty deeds done dirt cheapDirty deeds done dirt cheapDirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap, oohhDirty deeds and they're done dirt cheapWhoa yeah

You got a lady and you want her gone/huh, huh, huh, huhBut you ain't got the guts/huh, huh, huhShe keeps naggin' at you night 'n' day/huh, huh, huh, huhEnough to drive you nuts/huh, huh, huh, huhPick up the phone, leave her alone/huh, huh, huh, huhIt's time you made a stand/huh, huh, huh, huhFor a fee, I'm happy to beYour back door man, hey

Dirty deeds done dirt cheapDirty deeds done dirt cheapDirty deeds done dirt cheapDirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap, yeahDirty deeds and they're done dirt cheapDirty deeds and they're done dirt cheapDirty deeds and they're done dirt cheapConcrete shoesCyanideT.N.TDone dirt cheapOoo, necktiesContractsHigh voltageDone dirt cheap, eah

Dirty deeds, do anything you want me to, done dirt cheapDirty deeds, dirty deeds, dirty deeds, done dirt cheap

Yaaagh

Contact Information• Kenneth J. Duszynski M.Ed., C.R.C.• Director of Forensic Services• Mid Erie Counseling & Treatment• 1131 Broadway• Buffalo, NY 14212• Cell (716) 359-1374• Office (716) 896-7350• FAX (716) 332-1879• Email Kduszynski@mid-erie.org

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