Psychopathy is defined as someone who is aggressive, manipulative, egocentric, and lacks empathy. Can labeling someone a “psychopath” influence decisions made in the courtroom?

Psychology researchers reviewed data from 3,000 participants in 10 juror simulation studies to evaluate their perceptions of psychopathic traits in criminal defendants. Results? Participants believed that defendants labeled "psychopathic” were “dangerous” and “evil” and should have harsher and longer sentencing, as well as the death penalty. Lastly, participants reported that they did not believe that psychopaths would benefit from psychological treatment.

 

Psychopathy is not specifically recognized as a mental illness; instead, it is a group of characteristics. Trained forensic psychologists measure psychopathic traits using the research-backed test called the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised. These results show that labeling a person as a “psychopath” can have life-changing impacts in a criminal case. Society should not label anyone a “psychopath” based on certain characteristics. 

Knowing the weight of this word, be careful when labeling others. Labeling someone a “psychopath” or any diagnosis without psychological training and actual testing can have negative consequences for the person and for the justice system as a whole!

 

Written by Robin N. Fatovic M.S.

Reference:

Kelley, S. E., Edens, J. F., Mowle, E. N., Penson, B. N., & Rulseh, A. (2018). Dangerous, depraved, and death-worthy: A meta-analysis of the correlates of perceived psychopathy in jury simulation studies. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75(4), 627–643. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22726