A PCL-R, PAI, and Rorschach Study of Women Who Murder

Abstract

Murder is antithetical to any traditional conceptualization of femininity or the nurturer role. Women do, however commit murder, as well as a plethora of other heinous offenses.  Understanding the personality of women who murder is of both clinical and scientific interest.  In this study, we present the PCL-R, PAI, and Rorschach data of 24 incarcerated women who have murdered. We explore the interpersonal, affective, cognitive, and self-concept vulnerabilities that contribute to this behavior within the female offender model. The results are placed with societal contexts (i.e., media) as well as providing recommendations for assessment and treatment of this population.