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 intended for professionals who want to deepen their understanding of psychopathy, particularly those specializing in or studying forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminal justice, behavioral research, and mental health practice (excluding psychiatrists). It is especially relevant for individuals whose work involves the assessment, management, or research of psychopathic traits and behaviors.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic psychologists
    • Clinical psychologists
    • Criminal justice professionals
    • Behavioral researchers
    • Mental health professionals (excluding psychiatrists)
    • Law enforcement professionals involved in behavioral analysis
    • Educators and trainers in psychology or behavioral science

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at varying levels of experience with psychopathy assessment and conceptualization.

    • Beginner: Participants with limited prior exposure to psychopathy research or assessment will gain foundational knowledge of historical and contemporary models, including the triarchic model and its core traits.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some familiarity with psychopathy concepts or assessment tools will deepen their understanding of alternative frameworks, learn to differentiate psychopathy subtypes, and explore the clinical utility of the triarchic model.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals use this training in settings where assessment, case formulation, and management of individuals with pronounced antisocial or affective–interpersonal features guide safety planning, treatment decisions, and policy.

    Work is conducted in structured, legally interfacing, multidisciplinary environments that emphasize evidence-based evaluation and ethically informed, risk-sensitive decision-making across clinical and non-clinical populations.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Correctional facilities and probation/parole services
    • Forensic inpatient units and secure hospitals
    • Outpatient mental health and specialty assessment clinics
    • Courts and medico-legal evaluation services
    • Law enforcement behavioral analysis and threat assessment units
    • University research labs and applied behavioral science centers
    • Training and education programs in psychology or criminal justice
Presented By

Christopher J. Patrick, PhD

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 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.



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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).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.