A dimensional approach to evil – Can psychopathy be conceptualized in a five factor model paradigm?

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the five-factor model of personality (FFM) can conceptualize psychopathy in a meaningful way. This study aims to replicate these results in a Norwegian sample consisting of 64 respondents (51 females and 13 males) taking an introductory course in psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. The Revised NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) was used to assess the FFM and the Youth psychopathic traits inventory (YPI) was used to assess psychopathy. The results suggest that psychopathy is strongly and negatively associated with the factor Agreeableness and all its facets. In addition, the Neuroticism facet Angry-hostility and the Extroversion facet Assertiveness showed positive associations with psychopathy. Sex differences for psychopathy were found for the traits Grandiosity and Unemotionality where males score higher than females.