The Triarchic Model of Psychopathic Personality Traits in Adolescence

The monograph examines one of the contemporary theories about psychopathy - the Triarchic model of Patrick CJ, Fowles DC, Krueger RF. The essence of the triarchic model is that psychopathy encompasses three distinct phenotypic constructs: disinhibition, which reflects a general propensity toward problems of impulse control; boldness, which is defined as the nexus of social dominance, emotional resiliency, and venturesomeness; and meanness, which is defined as aggressive resource seeking without regard for others ("dysaffliated agency"). These differing phenotypic components are considered in terms of relevant etiologic and developmental pathways. The triarchic model provides good explanatory possibilities for the diverse manifestations of psychopathic personalities: impulsive and antisocial behavior, a substantial deficiency in empathy, exploiting or aggressive behavior without feeling guilty and remorse, sometimes combined with conviction of self superiority over the surrounding and the desire to dominate social relationships, and the emotional resistance of stressors.

The Bulgarian adolescence adaptations of the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (Patrick, 2010) and the Short Dark Triad (Jones & Paulhus, 2014) are presented with an assessment of the factor structure, reliability, validity and gender differences. Both instruments allow to identify those adolescents in whom psychopathic personality traits are overstated and can therefore serve as a diagnostic and as a basis for subsequent psychological support and counseling.