Unraveling the Connection Between Psychopathic Trait Profiles and Risk Behavior Tendencies

Background/Aim: Using a person-centered approach, this study examined risk perception and risk-taking across five domains (ethical, health/safety, financial, social, and recreational) as a function of distinct psychopathy profiles. These variables were assessed using the DOSPERT-30 and the SRP-III. Method: The sample included 371 participants (age range 18-59, M = 24.04, SD = 6.72). A cluster analysis identified four distinct psychopathy profiles: a high psychopathy with criminal tendencies group (HPCTG), a high psychopathy group (HPG), an erratic lifestyle group (ELG), and a low psychopathy group (LPG). Results: The results showed that the HPCTG reported lower risk perception and greater risk-taking than the LPG across the risk domains, except for the social domain. The two intermediate profiles, HPG and ELG, also provided informative findings. An erratic lifestyle was associated with increased risk-taking, an association that became more pronounced when combined with other psychopathic traits. Similarly, the HPG exhibited elevated risk-taking, which was further intensified and extended across a broader range of risk domains when criminal tendencies were also present. Conclusions: The potential clinical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.