Differential susceptibility in psychopathic subtypes: The role of genetic plasticity in the development of successful psychopaths

Citation

Tanksley, Peter (2016). Differential susceptibility in psychopathic subtypes: The role of genetic plasticity in the development of successful psychopaths.

Abstract

Psychopathy is a disorder associated with violent and persistent antisocial behavior. Research has shown, however, that a psychopathic subtype exists that does not perpetrate these same violent and antisocial acts—this subtype is referred to as ‘successful psychopaths.’ Successful psychopaths are able to act in more prosocial ways and achieve more adaptive outcomes than their ‘unsuccessful’ counterparts. Although researchers have identified these two types of psychopaths, relatively less research has been devoted to understanding the factors that may explain why some psychopathic individuals are more successful than others. Using a sample from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), this study attempts to explain the disparate outcomes of psychopathic individuals by applying a differential susceptibility model (Belsky, 1997). Differential susceptibility theory (DST) states that those high susceptibility are more reactive to both positive and negative environmental stimuli while those low in susceptibility are less reactive to all types of environmental stimuli. This study hypothesizes that psychopathic individuals who are high in genetic plasticity (a type of susceptibility factor) will, when compared to those low in plasticity, achieve more adaptive outcomes when exposed to protective factors and achieve more maladaptive ones when exposed to risk factors. The findings and implications for future research are discussed.

URL

http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:10151219&_ga=1.92218270.508686597.1467137551

Keyword(s)

psychopathy

Reference Type

Thesis/Dissertation

Book Title

Criminal Justice and Criminology

Author(s)

Tanksley, Peter

Series Author(s)

Newsome, Jamie

Year Published

2016

Volume Number

Masters

Publisher

University of Texas at San Antonio

Reference ID

9143