Psychopathy and Corporate Crime

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the relationship between psychopathy and corporate crime. Psychopathy is illustrated by characteristics such as glib/superficiality, impression management, pathological lying, conning/manipulativeness, lack or remorse or guilt, callousness/lack of empathy, failure to accept responsibility, stimulation seeking, irresponsibility, parasitic orientation, serious criminal behavior, and criminal versatility. Although the American Psychological Association (APA) has equated psychopathy with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), the two constructs are not identical. The primary diagnostic tool used to assess psychopathy is the PCL-R. While those diagnosed with psychopathy are likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for ASPD, those diagnosed with ASPD do not often meet the diagnostic standard for psychopathy. Psychopathy has traditionally been used to understand violent street level offenses, such as assault and homicide. However, as this thesis demonstrates, psychopathy is also related to corporate crime. Using recent examples of corporate wrongdoing committed in the oil, automobile, and financial industries, I explore ways in which the behaviors of corporations are consistent with psychopathy.