The Continuum of Violent Personalities (1CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for:  Clinical Psychologists, Counseling Psychologists

Course By: Tim Grigsby, PhD

Content By: Johnson, S. A. (2019). Understanding the violent personality: Antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy, & sociopathy explored. Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal, 7(2), 76-88.

Course Description: Antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy, and sociopathy share several features but have divergent causes. In particular, patients exhibiting a violent personality are more likely to exhibit traits of psychopathy or sociopathy. Understanding the underlying neurophysiological and environmental causes of these conditions is needed in order to properly intervene with patients exhibiting violent traits. It is estimated that 3-15% of persons with antisocial personality disorder exhibit psychopathic or sociopathic traits. Future work with violent offenders requires refining definitions of treatment, improving definitions and assessments and continuing to explore traits that distinguish sociopathy and psychopathy.

Learning Objectives:

1. List factors that contribute to a violent personality
2. Compare and contrast the causes and features of psychopathy and sociopathy
3. Describe how violence is assessed and treated in relation to an underlying personality disorder

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Understanding the violent personality: Antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy, & sociopathy explored
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Reflect on the biological and environmental factors that contribute to violent personalities and how they can be assessed and treated
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the epidemiological, clinical, and social features of patients with a violent personality

Approvals: