The PCL-R Family of Psychopathy Measures: Dimensionality and Predictive Utility of the PCL-R, PCL: SV, PCL: YV, SRP-III, and SRP-SF

The PCL–R and its derivatives are the dominant assessment of psychopathy in research and clinical practice, and studies examining the measures’ construct validity, dimensionality, and predictive utility are abundant. However, there are controversies regarding the underlying factor structure of the scales, and many published empirical investigations focused on confirming rather than validating the measures, warranting further scrutiny of the PCL–R family of psychopathy assessment. The current chapter summarizes extant knowledge and critically evaluates research into construct validity, dimensionality, and predictive utility of the PCL–R, PCL: SV, PCL: YV, and SRP–III (including its abbreviated version, the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale–Short Form [SRP–SF]).