The LSRP is a 26-item self-report measure assessing psychopathic traits in non-criminal populations, distinguishing between primary psychopathy (callousness, manipulation) and secondary psychopathy (impulsivity, antisocial behavior) with a 10-15 minute administration time.
The scale demonstrates good reliability (Primary α=0.82-0.85, Secondary α=0.63-0.68) and validity, with convergent correlations to PCL-R (r=0.35-0.50) and Machiavellianism, plus distinct behavioral correlates for each factor including reduced empathy and impulsive decision-making.
Designed exclusively for research purposes in adults 18+, the LSRP should not be used for clinical diagnosis, forensic decisions, or employment screening; scores are interpreted against college norms (Primary M=33.6, Secondary M=22.1) to assess subclinical psychopathic characteristics.
Introduction
The Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP) is a 26-item measure designed to assess psychopathic traits in non-institutionalized populations. Developed by Levenson, Kiehl, and Fitzpatrick (1995), the LSRP provides a self-report method for measuring psychopathic characteristics in community and college samples where traditional psychopathy assessments designed for forensic settings may not be appropriate.
Psychopathy in Non-Criminal Populations
While psychopathy is often studied in criminal and forensic contexts, psychopathic traits exist on a continuum and can be observed at subclinical levels in the general population. Individuals with elevated psychopathic traits who have not engaged in serious criminal behavior may still exhibit interpersonal, affective, and behavioral characteristics associated with the construct (Paulhus & Williams, 2002).
Two-Factor Structure
The LSRP distinguishes between primary psychopathy (characterized by callousness, manipulativeness, and lack of empathy) and secondary psychopathy (characterized by impulsivity, antisocial behavior, and social deviance). This two-factor structure parallels distinctions made in clinical psychopathy research while being suitable for non-forensic assessment (Levenson et al., 1995).
Research and Ethical Context
The LSRP enables research on psychopathic traits in settings where clinical interviews or forensic instruments would be impractical. Studies using the LSRP have contributed to understanding the personality correlates, behavioral outcomes, and neurobiological bases of psychopathic characteristics (Brinkley et al., 2008).
⚖️ Subclinical Measurement: The LSRP assesses psychopathic personality traits in non-criminal populations, facilitating research on the full continuum of these characteristics.
Key Features
Assessment Characteristics
26 items measuring primary and secondary psychopathy factors
Relationship research on interpersonal exploitation
Behavioral genetics studies of antisocial traits
Research Considerations
The LSRP is designed for research purposes in non-institutionalized populations. It assesses personality traits associated with psychopathy rather than providing clinical diagnosis. Elevated scores indicate presence of psychopathic characteristics but do not indicate psychopathology requiring clinical intervention in the absence of other indicators (Levenson et al., 1995).
Ethical Considerations
Research using psychopathy measures requires careful attention to ethical issues including informed consent, confidentiality, and appropriate use of results. The LSRP should not be used for employment screening, forensic decision-making, or other high-stakes applications without additional comprehensive assessment (Paulhus & Williams, 2002).
Limitations
Self-report format may be influenced by social desirability
Lower reliability for Secondary subscale
Not suitable for forensic or clinical diagnosis
Designed for research rather than applied decision-making
Cultural factors may influence item interpretation
Copyright and Usage Responsibility: Check that you have the proper rights and permissions to use this assessment tool in your research. This may include purchasing appropriate licenses, obtaining permissions from authors/copyright holders, or ensuring your usage falls within fair use guidelines.
Proper Attribution: When using or referencing this scale, cite the original development:
Levenson, M. R., Kiehl, K. A., & Fitzpatrick, C. M. (1995). Assessing psychopathic attributes in a noninstitutionalized population. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68(1), 151-158.
Levenson, M. R., Kiehl, K. A., & Fitzpatrick, C. M. (1995). Assessing psychopathic attributes in a noninstitutionalized population. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68(1), 151-158.
Validation Studies:
Brinkley, C. A., et al. (2008). The construct validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 90(3), 269-278.
Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. (2002). The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 36(6), 556-563.
A predatory shark in business attire — embodying callousness, manipulation, and lack of empathy measured by the LSRP (Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the LSRP measure?
The LSRP measures psychopathic personality traits in non-criminal populations across two dimensions: primary psychopathy (callousness, manipulativeness, lack of empathy) and secondary psychopathy (impulsivity, irresponsibility, antisocial behavior). It assesses subclinical psychopathy on a continuum rather than diagnosing clinical psychopathy.
How long does the LSRP take to complete?
The LSRP takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. It consists of 26 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale, making it a relatively quick self-report assessment suitable for research settings with non-institutionalized adult populations.
Is the LSRP free to use?
The LSRP is available for research purposes. Researchers should cite the original development article (Levenson, Kiehl, & Fitzpatrick, 1995) when using the scale. For specific licensing or commercial use questions, consult the original authors or your institution's research guidelines.
How is the LSRP scored?
Items are rated 1-4 (Disagree strongly to Agree strongly). Reverse-score designated items by subtracting from 5. Sum 16 items for Primary Psychopathy (range 16-64) and 10 items for Secondary Psychopathy (range 10-40). Total score ranges from 26-104. Higher scores indicate greater psychopathic traits.
What's the difference between LSRP and PCL-R?
The LSRP is a self-report questionnaire for non-criminal populations taking 10-15 minutes, while the PCL-R (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised) is a clinician-administered interview for forensic settings requiring extensive training and file review. The LSRP correlates moderately with PCL-R (r=0.35-0.50) but is designed for research, not clinical diagnosis.
How reliable is the LSRP?
The LSRP shows good reliability for the Primary subscale (α=0.82-0.85, test-retest r=0.83) and adequate reliability for the Secondary subscale (α=0.63-0.68, test-retest r=0.68). The two-factor structure is consistently replicated across studies, demonstrating stable psychometric properties for research applications in non-forensic populations.
