Developing a Culturally Informed Framework of Psychopathy in China: A Delphi Study

• In Event: New topics in psychopathy

Abstract

Psychopathy remains a widely studied yet culturally contested construct, with most existing frameworks developed within Western contexts. This study employs a Delphi methodology to establish a culturally informed theoretical framework of psychopathy in China, incorporating perspectives from clinical psychology, forensic psychology, cultural psychology, psychiatry, and prison officers. Through an iterative process involving semi-structured interviews, Likert-scale assessments, and consensus-building across multiple rounds, the study identifies culturally specific manifestations, assessment criteria, and developmental factors related to psychopathy. Preliminary findings from 11 expert interviews suggest key divergences in conceptualization, including distinctions in affective traits, behavioral regulation, and the role of social and familial influences in shaping psychopathic tendencies. This research contributes to the cross-cultural understanding of psychopathy and its implications for psychological assessment, criminal justice policy, and forensic practice in China. The study’s implications extend to the refinement of diagnostic tools and the broader debate on universal versus culture-bound conceptualizations of psychopathy.

Author

• Shihan PENG, University of Cambridge