CAN KOREAN PCL-R PREDICT IMPLICIT AGGRESSION AMONG KOREAN INMATES?

This paper focuses on the relationship between psychopathy scores measured by the Korean Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (Cho & Lee, 2008) and inmates’ implicit aggression (as opposed to verbally/physically explicit aggression) by correctional staff’s evaluations to suggest the utilization of Korean PCL-R. Numerous studies identified the Factor 2 score of the PCL-R as being a more significant predictor of higher levels of disruptive institutional behavior and recidivism than the Factor 1 score (e.g., Walters, 2003). First, we found tha tKorean psychopathy scores, in comparison to other static variables (age, the number of previous crimes, using a weapon, and having an accomplice), predicted implicit aggression among Korean inmates using the hierarchical regression model. Secondly, we found Factor 2 to be a better predictor for implicit aggression than Factor 1. Therefore, our study suggests the utilization of the Korean PCL-R to the criminal justice system in South Korea.