Risk Domain 5: Psychopathy Related, Interpersonal/Affective

Below are the report responses of an individual who has sexually offended. First, his MIDSA responses for each subcomponent are presented as they appear in the report followed by an interpretation in red of each subcomponent. At the end of the subcomponents is an overall integrative interpretation in red.

Overview of the Entire Interpersonal and Affective Scales Domain

The respondent’s Conning and Superficial Charm and Lack of Perspective Taking scores are high.  His T-score on the Conning and Superficial Charm scale, which is the MIDSA scale that correlates highest with the PCL-R Factor 1, is higher than 91% of ACCs* and 57% of ASOs*. His T score on the Lack of Perspective Taking scale, which assesses the cognitive component of empathy, is higher than 96% of ACCs and 77% of ASOs. These scales both suggest that the interpersonal and affective components of psychopathy should constitute a treatment target.

The Lack of Empathy scale has not functioned in either adults or juveniles as anticipated (see MIDSA Clinical Manual). As is evident from the scatter plot in this scale adults (and juveniles as well) who have sexually offended have consistently evidenced higher emotional empathy responses than community controls (i.e., lower Lack of Empathy scores). Such results suggest the possibility the ASOs may be projecting in their emotional empathy responses and expressing a desire to have others empathize with them in their current circumstances.  Although this respondent’s Lack of Empathy T score is close to the mean of the ACCs (> 45%) his score is > 76% of ASOs, suggesting some potential empathy issues relative to offenders.

*  ACC = Adult Community Control Group.

**ASO = Adults who have sexually offended.