The available research literature will be discussed. Antisocial Personality Disorder, Sociopathy, and Psychopathy will be discussed to understand how they are all part of the Violent Personality continuum. The goal of this article is to discuss what I call the Violent Personality. The term psychopath tends to be used to describe both the sociopath and psychopath and therefore the assessment of the sociopath is the same as for the psychopath, though there are differences between the two. In short, it is important to assess for sociopathy/psychopathy in all who present with violent behaviors, tendencies or thoughts. As I examine the violent personality, it becomes clearer that those with any of the traits of the violent personality are likely sociopaths or psychopaths because the traits of sociopathy/psychopathy are shared with the violent personality. Approximately 3-15% of those with APD likely have psychopathy and another 30% likely have sociopathy. Sociopathy and psychopathy should also be assessed for all violent offenders because of the serious implications for treatment interventions as well as risk for violent reoffense. For example, being arrested for domestic violence should spark an investigation to assess other likely forms of violent behavior the abuser engaged in, including raping of his partner, abuse of the children in the home, as well as abuse of animals in the home, all likely having occurred but rarely assessed. A thorough psychological and risk assessment, criminal background check, as well as interviews with those who know the offender are necessary in order fully understand the scope of the violent offender’s criminally violent history. The personality factors and backgrounds of those who engage in violent behavior are similar. For example, domestic abusers often sexually abuse/rape their partners engage in child abuse, animal cruelty, road rage, and other forms of violent and nonviolent criminal behavior. The literature strongly supports that those who engage in violent behavior tend to engage in violence in several areas, not just one specific type of violence. It appears that the personality and background factors identified for sexual offenders neatly fit into what I refer to as The Violent Personality.
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