Психопатия и обыденный садизм как предикторы антисоциального поведения: исследование на выборке лиц, совершивших уголовные преступления

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Context and relevance. </strong>Antisocial behavior is a phenomenon notorious of its destructive outcomes for any society. Research shows that antisocial acts and aggression are often mediated by some relevant personality traits, such as the so-called dark personality traits. <strong>Objective.</strong> To identify meaningful relationships between psychopathy, everyday sadism, aggression and antisocial behavior in individuals convicted of criminal offence. <strong>Hypothesis.</strong> Psychopathy and everyday sadism can serve as predictors of antisocial behavior and aggression. <strong>Methods and materials.</strong> The study was conducted on the sample of male inmates (N=278) from 18 to 77 years old (M=36.6; SD=10.3). The respondents have consented to filling out the questionnaires which measured relevant personal and behavioral characteristics: Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM); Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies (CAST); Bass-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ); Styles of Antisocial Behavior form (STAB) and Short Dark Triad (SD3). <strong>Results.</strong> The findings suggest that in the forensic sample psychopathy and everyday sadism are tightly interconnected and significantly associated with all aspects of aggression. Sadistic tendencies were significantly and positively correlated with overt forms of aggression. Psychopathy, everyday sadism and Machiavellianism were predictors of antisocial behavior. Finally, psychopathy scores were significantly and positively related to the severity of crime. <strong>Conclusions. </strong>The study of such personality phenomena as psychopathy and everyday sadism can enhance our understanding of the predictors of antisocial behavior and aggression. The findings can be used for developing risk assessment and screening procedures, as well as intervention programs at detention facilities.</p>