Personality disorders and biosocial trait theories: The argument for radical legal reform

Abstract

This article reviews antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy, and violence and develops a three factor model of personality traits. Then a discussion of related personality disorders precedes the development of a categorical two factor model of impulsive versus remorseless violence. A paradigm of proactive, medical, and school based early intervention and prevention is advocated as a useful addition to the reactive detention of criminal justice. Integration of psychological tests, neuroimaging, and genomic data in early childhood and school based intervention strategies to prevent the development of conduct disorder and attenuate criminal propensity inform this approach.