Date of Award

Spring 6-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department/Program

Forensic Psychology

Language

English

First Advisor or Mentor

Diana Falkenbach

Second Reader

Elizabeth Jeglic

Third Advisor

Ashley Jenkins-Campbell

Abstract

Despite the established relationships between psychopathy and malingering, and psychopathy and risk for institutional misconduct, little empirical literature has been devoted to examining the interaction of these three constructs. The current study aimed to clarify this relationship by examining data from a sample of male criminal defendants within a federal prison located in a metropolitan area of the Southern United States. Data including the MMPI-2, PCL-R, diagnostic, institutional records, and demographic information was collected. Statistical analyses reinforced previous literature and theoretical conceptualizations that posit a relationship between psychopathy and malingering behaviors, as well as institutional misconduct. Preliminary findings suggest links between malingering indicators on the MMPI-2 and certain types of disciplinary infractions. These results emphasize the importance of understanding these complex interactions for risk assessment and intervention strategies within forensic settings.

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