IN-CJ Newsdesk 2023 – Perspectives on Psychopathy and Recidivism
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In this session of the IN-CJ Newsdesk 2023, Dr Chelsey Narvey shared insights from her work into psychopathy, and how policies and practices within criminal justice systems address recidivism among offenders. Chelsey explored the links between associated forms of violence, such as anti-social behaviour and domestic violence, and explained how examples of attuned and well-organised mental health awareness and knowledge of the processes that drive psychopathy can reduce criminal behaviour and harm to others and the individuals themselves. This session draws on Chelsey’s emerging research at Sam Houston University.
What does it mean to study psychopathy within the context of criminal justice, and how do questions of empathy, trauma, and socialisation help us understand reoffending? These were the themes explored in the 2023 IN-CJ Newsdesk conversation with criminologist Chelsey Narvey, hosted by Rob Watson and John Scott.
Narvey described her journey from psychology into criminology, where she combined interests in abnormal psychology with policy and correctional practice. She explained that psychopathy, though often sensationalised in popular culture, remains a relatively new and contested construct in criminology. Measuring it involves challenges, particularly when applied to young people, where the stigma of a label may outweigh its usefulness.
A key focus was the relationship between psychopathy and empathy. Narvey outlined how empathy has two components: emotional (sharing another’s feelings) and cognitive (perspective-taking). People high in psychopathy typically show deficits in both, which reduces the natural inhibitions that empathy creates against harming others. Her research with juveniles in detention showed that adverse childhood experiences often limit empathy development, increasing the likelihood of reoffending. Yet, she emphasised that empathy can be improved, and when strengthened, it acts as a protective factor against recidivism.
The conversation also touched on gender differences, noting that empathy is socially coded as a “female” trait. While both boys and girls benefit from higher empathy, the protective effect is stronger for justice-involved females. The influence of hyper-masculinity, prison culture, and wider social norms complicates how empathy and psychopathy are expressed. Cultural and structural contexts—from white-collar workplaces to military settings—were discussed as underexplored areas where psychopathy may manifest differently.
Popular culture tends to equate psychopathy with serial killers, but Narvey argued the reality is more nuanced. Some individuals high in psychopathy achieve success in corporate or managerial settings, raising questions about how traits like risk-taking and shallow charm can be rewarded in certain environments. At the same time, the victims of such individuals often struggle with feelings of betrayal and confusion, highlighting the wider social costs.
The session concluded with reflections on future research, including Narvey’s plans to study psychopathy among probationers convicted of sex offences in Texas. She highlighted the need for more diverse samples across gender, race, and age, and for greater integration of empathy-focused interventions into justice practice.
By examining psychopathy not as a cultural myth but as a complex psychological and social construct, the discussion shed light on how criminology can better understand reoffending and contribute to more effective policy and practice. Listeners are invited to consider: what role should empathy play in shaping criminal justice responses, and how can systems avoid both sensationalism and stigmatisation while still addressing risk?
