1.5 Hours / 1.5 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on What is Psychopathy? is presented by Chris Patrick, Ph.D., in partnership with PsychopathyIs.

Psychopathy is a topic that has long been fascinating to the public at large as well as to scientists and clinical practitioners. However, it has also been subject to considerable confusion and scholarly debate over the years. This presentation describes alternative conceptions of psychopathy that have been proposed historically and reviews major instruments currently in use for the assessment of psychopathic features/traits in clinical and non-clinical samples. An integrative theoretical framework, the triarchic model, is presented as a basis for reconciling differing historical conceptions and assessment approaches. 

The program concludes with a discussion of the utility of the triarchic model for addressing issues such as psychopathy subtypes, successful versus unsuccessful psychopathy, and causal factors contributing to different behavioral expressions of psychopathy.

No psychological tests are administered. The material should be understandable to a professional non-specialist audience.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the Triarchic model of psychopathy and its three trait concepts: boldness, meanness, and disinhibition.
  • 2 Describe different ways in which psychopathy can present based on levels of these distinct traits.
  • 3 Describe alternative conceptions of psychopathy that have been proposed historically

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for professionals at any stage of their career who want to deepen their understanding of psychopathy. It is especially relevant for those working in or studying forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminal justice, behavioral research, and mental health practice (excluding psychiatrists). The program is suitable for individuals working in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, forensic or correctional facilities, research institutions, law enforcement agencies, and educational or training organizations focused on psychology and behavioral science.

  • Experience Level

    • Open to all levels of experience (early-career, mid-career, and advanced professionals)

    • Suitable for those new to the field as well as seasoned practitioners seeking updated knowledge on psychopathy

  • Practice Setting

    • Forensic psychologists

    • Clinical psychologists

    • Criminal justice professionals

    • Behavioral researchers

    • Mental health practitioners (excluding psychiatrists)

    • Law enforcement professionals involved in behavioral analysis

    • Educators and trainers in psychology or behavioral science

    • Professionals working in mental health clinics, correctional settings, or research institutions

Presented By Christopher J. Patrick, PhD

Christopher J. Patrick, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at Florida State University

Christopher J. Patrick, PhD, is a Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at Florida State University. His scholarly interests include psychopathy, antisocial behavior, substance abuse, personality, fear and fearlessness, psychophysiology, and affective and cognitive neuroscience. He is the author of more than 320 articles and book chapters, and Editor of the Handbook of Psychopathy (Guilford Press, 2006; 2nd ed., 2018). Dr. Patrick is a recipient of Early Career awards from the Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR; 1993) and the American Psychological Association (APA; 1995), a Past President of both SPR and the Society for Scientific Study of Psychopathy (SSSP), and recipient of a Lifetime Career Contribution award from SSSP. He is also a Fellow of APA and of the Association for Psychological Science. He served in 2010 as a Workgroup Member for the National Institute of Mental Health’s Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDoC) initiative, and from 2008-2013 as a Scientific Advisor to the DSM-5 Personality and Personality Disorders (PPD) Work Group. He is currently a member of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 Review Committee for Externalizing Disorders and Personality Disorders, and a member of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) Consortium.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Christopher J. Patrick, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Historical and contemporary conceptualizations of psychopathy

  • An integrative framework for understanding psychopathy: The triarchic model

  • Variants (subtypes) of psychopathy

We are proud to partner with

Society for the Prevention of Disorders of Aggression

Society for the Prevention of Disorders of Aggression

We are proud to partner with the Society for the Prevention of Disorders of Aggression (formally PsychopathyIs). Their organization was founded by an international consortium of scientists, clinicians, authors, parents, and people affected by disorders of aggression (including psychopathy, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and antisocial personality disorder). They aim to alleviate the suffering caused by disorders of aggression by improving public awareness of these disorders and working towards improved tools for identifying, treating, and preventing these disorders across the lifespan. They seek to address the needs of children and adults with disorders of aggression, as well as the needs and concerns of their families and communities, through education and advocacy, improving public understanding of the signs, symptoms, and causes of disorders of aggression; and offering screenings, resources, and guidance to clinicians, educators, caregivers, and those experiencing disorders of aggression.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.