The Psychopathic Personality Inventory: Construct validity of the two-factor structure

Evidence suggests that the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI; Lilienfeld & Andrews, 1996), consists of two factors, Fearless-Dominance (PPI-I) and Antisocial-Impulsivity (PPI-II). The present study investigated the construct validity of the PPI in 165 inmates, and 431 undergraduates. Inmates and students filled in the PPI and the Behavioural Inhibition (BIS) and Behavioural Activation Scales (BAS) (BIS/BAS; Carver & White, 1994). A subgroup of 120 students also filled out the Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T; Spielberger, 1983) and a minor delinquent behaviour questionnaire. Results indicated that PPI-I is related to a low behavioural inhibition (e.g., low distress) and to low trait anxiety, and that PPI-II is related to a strong behavioural activation (e.g., sensation seeking) and to the amount of self reported minor delinquent behaviours. Overall, results support the validity of the two-factor structure of the PPI.