Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Bethany K. Walters

Abstract

The study of successful female psychopathy is one that is under researched in the field of psychopathy. Current research focuses on the criminal male psychopath which has also led to a deficit of research on boldness, a construct of psychopathy found within the triarchic psychopathy model (TriPM). It is crucial that these gaps be addressed because these individuals still can harm those around them. The more researchers understand about the roles of gender and boldness and how they work together, the more equipped they will be when piecing together the psychopathy puzzle. The current study was grounded in Bem’s gender schema theory, and an explanatory mixed methods design was used to best examine the interaction of gender and the expression of boldness. Forty women total participated in the first phase of this study, the TriPM self-assessment, and a total of 10 participants completed the second phase of the study. The results showed that women who have high rates of boldness express that construct in a way that is non-adherent to typical female gender norms. A significant variable that influenced that finding was the presence of optimism and resiliency as their motivation. In unsuccessful psychopathic samples, their motivation was rooted in hedonistic and self-indulgent goals, meaning that motivation may be a key variable when identifying successful psychopathic women. The positive social change of this study is multi-pronged and may help in the development of programs that benefit both victims and perpetrators by improving quality of life and treatment capabilities. It will also address the overall lack of research into women’s mental health issues.

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