Q.1 Which of the following is considered a core trait of psychopathy according to Hare's model?
High anxiety
Emotional detachment
Excessive empathy
Introversion
Explanation - Hare's Psychopathy Checklist highlights emotional detachment as a central trait, including lack of remorse and shallow affect.
Correct answer is: Emotional detachment
Q.2 The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) primarily assesses:
Cognitive intelligence
Criminal thinking patterns
Personality traits associated with psychopathy
Social skills
Explanation - The PCL-R is designed to measure personality characteristics and behaviors typical of psychopathy, not general intelligence or social skills.
Correct answer is: Personality traits associated with psychopathy
Q.3 A high score on Factor 1 of the PCL-R indicates:
Impulsive and antisocial behavior
Emotional and interpersonal deficits
Substance abuse tendencies
High moral reasoning
Explanation - Factor 1 relates to interpersonal and affective traits such as superficial charm, lack of empathy, and manipulativeness.
Correct answer is: Emotional and interpersonal deficits
Q.4 Which personality disorder is most closely associated with psychopathy?
Borderline Personality Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Explanation - Psychopathy is strongly linked to Antisocial Personality Disorder, though not all with ASPD are psychopaths.
Correct answer is: Antisocial Personality Disorder
Q.5 Which of the following is NOT typically assessed in psychopathy evaluation?
Manipulativeness
Lack of empathy
Verbal IQ
Impulsivity
Explanation - Psychopathy assessments focus on affective, interpersonal, and behavioral traits, rather than cognitive ability like verbal IQ.
Correct answer is: Verbal IQ
Q.6 The term 'mask of sanity' refers to:
A clinical method for assessing mental disorders
Psychopaths presenting as normal or charming
A symptom of schizophrenia
A defense mechanism in trauma
Explanation - Cleckley described psychopaths as appearing outwardly normal, hiding their emotional deficits and antisocial tendencies.
Correct answer is: Psychopaths presenting as normal or charming
Q.7 Which factor of the PCL-R is more strongly associated with criminal behavior?
Factor 1
Factor 2
Both factors equally
Neither factor
Explanation - Factor 2 measures impulsive and antisocial behavior, which correlates more directly with criminal activity than Factor 1.
Correct answer is: Factor 2
Q.8 In psychopathy research, 'callousness' refers to:
Fear of social rejection
Indifference to others' feelings
Excessive guilt
High agreeableness
Explanation - Callousness is a key affective trait of psychopathy, showing a lack of concern for others’ emotions or suffering.
Correct answer is: Indifference to others' feelings
Q.9 Which assessment method is considered the 'gold standard' for evaluating psychopathy in adults?
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)
Rorschach Inkblot Test
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Explanation - The PCL-R is widely accepted as the most reliable and validated tool for assessing adult psychopathy.
Correct answer is: Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)
Q.10 Superficial charm in a psychopath is classified under:
Factor 1 of the PCL-R
Factor 2 of the PCL-R
DSM-5 Criteria A
DSM-5 Criteria B
Explanation - Factor 1 includes interpersonal traits such as superficial charm and manipulativeness.
Correct answer is: Factor 1 of the PCL-R
Q.11 Which of the following behaviors would most likely indicate psychopathic tendencies?
Persistent rule-breaking and deceitfulness
Frequent daydreaming
Strong attachment to peers
High conscientiousness
Explanation - Psychopaths typically engage in persistent antisocial behavior and manipulation.
Correct answer is: Persistent rule-breaking and deceitfulness
Q.12 Research suggests that the amygdala in psychopaths often shows:
Increased activity in emotional processing
Structural and functional abnormalities
No difference from the general population
Heightened fear response
Explanation - Neuroimaging studies often find reduced amygdala volume and function, which relates to emotional deficits.
Correct answer is: Structural and functional abnormalities
Q.13 A psychopath's lack of remorse is an example of which type of trait?
Cognitive
Affective
Behavioral
Social
Explanation - Affective traits involve emotions and feelings; lack of remorse is a key affective deficit in psychopathy.
Correct answer is: Affective
Q.14 Which statement about psychopathy and criminality is most accurate?
All psychopaths commit crimes
All criminals are psychopaths
Many psychopaths engage in criminal activity, but not all
Psychopathy prevents criminal behavior
Explanation - While psychopathy increases risk for antisocial behavior, some psychopaths function in society without committing crimes.
Correct answer is: Many psychopaths engage in criminal activity, but not all
Q.15 The PCL-R uses a scoring system from:
0 to 20
0 to 40
0 to 60
0 to 100
Explanation - The PCL-R consists of 20 items scored 0, 1, or 2, producing a total score from 0 to 40.
Correct answer is: 0 to 40
Q.16 Impulsivity in psychopathy is best classified under:
Factor 1
Factor 2
Emotional intelligence
Cognitive rigidity
Explanation - Factor 2 captures lifestyle and antisocial behavioral traits, including impulsivity and poor behavioral control.
Correct answer is: Factor 2
Q.17 In Cleckley's description, psychopaths often exhibit:
High anxiety and neuroticism
Superficial charm and lack of empathy
Excessive guilt and depression
Social withdrawal and shyness
Explanation - Cleckley emphasized outward normality with hidden emotional deficits in psychopaths.
Correct answer is: Superficial charm and lack of empathy
Q.18 Which of the following is a limitation of the PCL-R?
It cannot predict violent behavior
It is subjective and requires trained evaluators
It measures intelligence instead of personality
It is only applicable to adolescents
Explanation - Accurate scoring of the PCL-R requires extensive training to reduce subjectivity in rating traits and behaviors.
Correct answer is: It is subjective and requires trained evaluators
Q.19 Which of these is considered a lifestyle trait of psychopathy?
Manipulativeness
Impulsivity
Lack of empathy
Superficial charm
Explanation - Lifestyle traits include behaviors like impulsivity, irresponsibility, and need for stimulation.
Correct answer is: Impulsivity
Q.20 Glibness and superficial charm serve what function in psychopathy?
Emotional bonding
Manipulation of others
Anxiety reduction
Moral development
Explanation - Psychopaths often use charm to deceive, manipulate, or gain trust for personal gain.
Correct answer is: Manipulation of others
Q.21 Which of the following neuropsychological findings is commonly associated with psychopathy?
Enhanced prefrontal cortex activity
Reduced amygdala responsiveness
Increased hippocampal volume
Enhanced emotional memory
Explanation - Psychopaths often show reduced amygdala activity, correlating with poor fear conditioning and emotional processing.
Correct answer is: Reduced amygdala responsiveness
Q.22 Which trait distinguishes a primary psychopath from a secondary psychopath?
Level of intelligence
Origin of antisocial behavior
Educational background
Religious beliefs
Explanation - Primary psychopaths have innate emotional deficits, while secondary psychopaths develop antisocial traits often due to environmental factors.
Correct answer is: Origin of antisocial behavior
Q.23 In risk assessment, high PCL-R scores are most predictive of:
Nonviolent criminal behavior only
Recidivism and violent offending
High academic achievement
Low social engagement
Explanation - High psychopathy scores are associated with higher risk of reoffending, particularly violent crimes.
Correct answer is: Recidivism and violent offending
Q.24 Fearlessness and low anxiety in psychopaths are linked to which brain region?
Amygdala
Occipital lobe
Cerebellum
Parietal lobe
Explanation - Reduced amygdala activity in psychopaths underlies low fear response and diminished emotional learning.
Correct answer is: Amygdala