Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Cook, Peter
Area of Concentration
Psychology
Abstract
Psychologists and physicians have observed drastic changes in personality after significant head injuries. Psychopathy, when defined as a disorder distinct from antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), differs from the DSM criteria for ASPD through additional personality deficit criteria. This study sought to examine the potential relationship between mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and both primary and secondary psychopathic traits. It was hypothesized that (a) there would be a correlation between mTBI and psychopathic traits and that (b) the greater the number of head injuries, the more one would display psychopathic traits. The study consisted of undergraduate students who completed the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (1995) as well as an assessment of head injury. No relationship was found between primary or secondary psychopathy and history of mTBI. A marginally significant relationship was found between secondary psychopathy and the number of mTBIs the participant experienced.
Recommended Citation
McIntyre, Eryn, "Psychopathy and Head Injury: A Correlational Study Between Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychopathic Traits" (2019). Theses & ETDs. 5751.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5751