Important Disclaimer
This assessment measures subclinical psychopathic personality traits in the general population. It does NOT diagnose Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) or psychopathy. Only a licensed mental health professional can make a clinical diagnosis. If you have concerns about your behavior or relationships, please seek professional guidance.
What This Assessment Measures
- Primary psychopathy: Callousness, manipulation, egocentricity, superficial charm, lack of empathy and remorse
- Secondary psychopathy: Impulsivity, poor behavioral controls, antisocial lifestyle, irresponsibility, lack of long-term goals
26
Questions
5–8
Minutes
100%
Confidential
The 26 Questions
- Success is based on survival of the fittest; I am not concerned about the losers
- For me, what's right is whatever I can get away with
- In today's world, I feel justified in doing anything I can get away with to succeed
- My main purpose in life is getting as many goodies as I can
- Making a lot of money is my most important goal
- I let others worry about higher values; my main concern is with the bottom line
- People who are stupid enough to get ripped off usually deserve it
- Looking out for myself is my top priority
- I tell other people what they want to hear so that they will do what I want them to do
- I would be upset if my success came at someone else's expense
- I often admire a really clever scam
- I make a point of trying not to hurt others in pursuit of my goals
- I enjoy manipulating other people's feelings
- I feel bad if my words or actions cause someone else to feel emotional pain
- Even if I were trying very hard to sell something, I wouldn't lie about it
- Cheating is not justified because it is unfair to others
- I find myself in the same kinds of trouble, time after time
- I am often bored
- I find that I am able to pursue one goal for a long time
- I don't plan anything very far in advance
- I quickly lose interest in tasks I start
- Most of my problems are due to the fact that other people just don't understand me
- Before I do anything, I carefully consider the possible consequences
- I have been in a lot of shouting matches with other people
- When I get frustrated, I often 'let off steam' by blowing my top
- Love is overrated
About the Sociopathic Traits
The LSRP was developed by Michael R. Levenson, Kent A. Kiehl, and Cory M. Fitzpatrick (1995) to measure psychopathic personality traits in community and non-forensic populations. Unlike instruments designed for forensic settings (like the PCL-R), the LSRP is appropriate for self-report use in the general population.
The scale distinguishes between two factors of psychopathy that have different theoretical underpinnings. Primary psychopathy reflects a callous, manipulative interpersonal style thought to have a stronger biological basis. Secondary psychopathy reflects an impulsive, antisocial lifestyle more closely linked to environmental influences and emotional dysregulation.
It is crucial to understand that psychopathic traits exist on a continuum in the general population. Having some of these traits does not mean you have Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) or are a "sociopath." Many people with elevated scores lead normal, productive lives. Clinical diagnosis requires comprehensive professional evaluation and evidence of persistent patterns causing significant impairment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a high score mean I'm a sociopath or psychopath?+
No. The LSRP measures personality traits that exist on a continuum in the general population. A high score does not equal a diagnosis of ASPD or psychopathy. Many people with elevated scores function well in society. Only a comprehensive clinical evaluation can determine if personality patterns are clinically significant.
What is the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath?+
These are popular terms, not formal clinical diagnoses. The DSM-5 diagnosis is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). In research, 'psychopathy' refers to a specific constellation of personality traits (callousness, manipulation, lack of empathy) that partially overlaps with ASPD but is not identical. The LSRP measures these personality traits dimensionally.
What are primary and secondary psychopathy?+
Primary psychopathy (items 1-16) reflects a callous, manipulative interpersonal style with reduced empathy. Secondary psychopathy (items 17-26) reflects impulsivity, poor behavioral controls, and an antisocial lifestyle. Someone can score high on one dimension but not the other.
Can psychopathic traits be changed?+
Research suggests that while core personality traits are relatively stable, their expression and impact on functioning can be modified through therapy. Schema therapy, mentalization-based therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy have shown promise for personality-related difficulties.
Are my responses stored?+
No. All responses remain completely private and local to your browser. No data is collected, stored, or transmitted to any server.
References
- Levenson MR, Kiehl KA, Fitzpatrick CM. Assessing psychopathic attributes in a noninstitutionalized population. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1995;68(1):151-158.
- Sellbom M. Elaborating on the construct validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale. J Pers Assess. 2011;93(6):573-582.
- Brinkley CA, Schmitt WA, Smith SS, Newman JP. Construct validation of a self-report psychopathy scale. Assessment. 2001;8(1):111-127.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). 2013.