Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate whether levels of psychopathy predicted claims of crime-related amnesia. Different characteristics of psychopathy were based on the factor structure of the self-report questionnaire Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI). Crime-related amnesia claims were scored from inmates (N = 31) criminal file records. Results demonstrated that claims of crime-related amnesia were more frequently reported by individuals scoring high on impulsive antisocial psychopathy traits. Furthermore, offenders who claimed crime-related amnesia reported lower levels of instrumental/proactive aggression. There was no relationship between fearless–callous psychopathy traits or the use of reactive violence, and claims of crime-related amnesia. Within offenders who claimed amnesia for their crime, the majority demonstrated elevated levels of deception, suggesting that claims of amnesia might serve a strategic purpose. In addition, they more often reported having had a previous experience with memory loss, which may have formed the basis of simulation.
Keywords: Crime-related amnesia, Psychopathy, Impulsivity, Antisocial, Fearlessness, Callousness
Keywords: Crime-related amnesia, Psychopathy, Impulsivity, Antisocial, Fearlessness, Callousness
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 23-29 |
| Journal | International Journal of Law and Psychiatry |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |