Journal article
In search of the psychopathic sexuality taxon: indicator size does matter
Behavioral sciences & the law, Vol.29(1), pp.23-39
01/2011
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/108601
PMID: 21191908
Abstract
Recent research has suggested that a qualitatively distinct subtype of psychopathic sex offender can be identified via taxometric analyses (Harris et al., 2007). In this study we attempted to replicate the hypothesized psychopathic sexuality taxon in a group of 503 male sexual offenders using data from the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R:Hare, 2003) and five coercive and precocious sexuality items. Ambiguous to dimensional results were obtained when, in a replication of the Harris et al. (2007) study,dichotomized indicators were analyzed with summed input maximum covariance (MAXCOV). Clearly dimensional results, however, were obtained when higher correlating and more valid quasi-continuous indicators were analyzed with traditional (input variables not summed) MAXCOV, and both dichotomous and quasi-continuous indicators were analyzed with mean above minus below a cut (MAMBAC) and latent-mode factor analysis (L-Mode). These results suggest that Harris et al. (2007) may have mistaken the random fluctuations of weakly correlating and poorly differentiating indicators for a taxon. Consistent with the vast majority of earlier research,our results suggest that psychopathy (with or without coercive and precocious sexuality) is a dimensional construct.
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Details
- Title
- In search of the psychopathic sexuality taxon: indicator size does matter
- Creators
- Glenn D Walters - Psychology Services, Federal Correctional Institution-Schuylkill, Minersville, PA 17954-0700, U.S.A. gwalters@bop.govDavid K MarcusJohn F EdensRaymond A KnightGlenn M Sanford
- Publication Details
- Behavioral sciences & the law, Vol.29(1), pp.23-39
- Academic Unit
- Psychology, Department of
- Publisher
- United States
- Identifiers
- 99900547172501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article