Hostname: page-component-74656f9884-c52kr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-08T09:56:27.832Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Psychopathy is a nonarbitrary class

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

Vernon L. Quinsey
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Queen's University at Kingston, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6. qulnsey@pavlov.psyc.queensu.ca;
Martin L. Lalumière
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Queen's University at Kingston, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6. martin@pavlov.psyc.queensu.ca

Abstract

Recent evidence that psychopathy is a nonarbitrary population, such that the trait may be categorical rather than continuous, is consistent with Mealey's distinction between primary and secondary psychopaths. Thus, there are likely to be at least two routes to criminality, and psychopathic and nonpsychopathic criminals are likely to respond differently to interventions.

Information

Type
Article Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable