Psychopathy Tests: PCL-R, Self-Report Scales and Online Quizzes Explained

Quick answer: A psychopathy test is a structured way of measuring psychopathic traits such as superficial charm, manipulation, lack of remorse, callousness and impulsivity. The gold-standard test is the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R), a 20-item checklist scored by a trained professional using an interview and the person’s records. Self-report questionnaires such as the SRP-4, LSRP, PPI-R and TriPM are mainly used in research. Online psychopathy quizzes can be interesting for reflection, but none of them can diagnose anyone.

If you’ve landed here, you’re probably curious about one of two things: how professionals actually assess psychopathy, or whether a quiz can tell you something about yourself or someone in your life. In this guide, I’ll walk you through both — the main psychopathy tests, what they measure, how they are scored, how accurate they are, and what to do if you’re worried.

At a Glance: The Main Psychopathy Tests

Test	Type	Mainly used for	Format
PCL-R	Rated by a clinician	Forensic and clinical assessment (the gold standard)	20 items scored 0–2; total 0–40; interview + records
PCL:SV	Rated by a clinician	Shorter screening in psychiatric and community settings	12 items; total 0–24
PCL:YV	Rated by a clinician	Adolescents aged 12–18	20 items
SRP-4	Self-report	Research with adults	64 items on a 5-point scale (29-item short form)
LSRP	Self-report	Research with community and student samples	26 items: primary and secondary psychopathy
PPI-R	Self-report	Research and some clinical use	154 items
TriPM	Self-report	Research on boldness, meanness and disinhibition	58 items
YPI	Self-report	Young people aged 12 and over	50 items
SD3	Self-report	Quick research measure of the “Dark Triad”	27 items (9 for psychopathy)

What Is Psychopathy?

Psychopathy is a personality pattern made up of interpersonal, emotional and behavioural traits: superficial charm, grandiosity, lying and manipulation, shallow emotions, a lack of empathy, remorse or guilt, impulsivity and, often, antisocial behaviour. It exists on a spectrum — most people with some psychopathic traits are not criminals — and it is not a formal diagnosis in the DSM-5. For the full picture, read my complete guide to psychopathy and the 20 signs of a psychopath.

How common is it? A 2021 meta-analysis of general-population studies found a pooled prevalence of about 4.5%, but only about 1.2% when the more rigorous PCL-based tools were used (Sanz-García et al., 2021). Rates are much higher in prisons: roughly 15–25% of male prisoners in North America (Kiehl & Hoffman, 2011).

What Do Psychopathy Tests Measure?

Most psychopathy tests are built around the same core traits. The PCL-R groups them into four areas, or facets, and self-report tests such as the SRP-4 mirror them:

• Interpersonal: superficial charm, a grandiose sense of self-worth, pathological lying, and conning or manipulating others.
• Affective (emotional): lack of remorse or guilt, shallow emotions, callousness and lack of empathy, and failure to accept responsibility.
• Lifestyle: need for stimulation and proneness to boredom, impulsivity, irresponsibility, a parasitic lifestyle and no realistic long-term goals.
• Antisocial: poor behavioural control, early behaviour problems, juvenile delinquency, breaking the conditions of release and criminal versatility.

A newer approach, the triarchic model, describes psychopathy as a blend of three traits: boldness (fearlessness and social dominance), meanness (callousness and cruelty) and disinhibition (impulsivity and poor self-control) (Patrick, Fowles & Krueger, 2009). Tests such as the TriPM measure these three directly.

One fairness note: these traits are what tests look for, not proof on their own. Plenty of people are occasionally impulsive or self-centred. Psychopathy tests look for a strong, lasting pattern across many traits and many areas of life.

Professional Psychopathy Tests (Rated by a Clinician)

Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R)

The PCL-R, developed by Canadian psychologist Robert Hare, is the most widely used and researched psychopathy test. Hare published the original Psychopathy Checklist in 1980, the revised PCL-R in 1991 and a second edition in 2003 (Hare, 2003).

How it works: a trained clinician carries out a semi-structured interview and reviews collateral information such as case files, criminal records and reports from other people. They then rate 20 items, each scored 0 (does not apply), 1 (applies to some extent) or 2 (definitely applies), giving a total of 0–40. Self-report alone isn’t enough, because people high in psychopathy can lie very convincingly — the records matter.

• A total of 30 or more is the cut-off most often used to classify someone as a psychopath (Sanz-García et al., 2021).
• Some research uses a lower cut-off of 25, for example to identify “subclinical” psychopathy.
• Most people score far lower. In a study of 203 corporate managers and executives, the average PCL-R score was only about 3.6 out of 40 (Babiak, Neumann & Hare, 2010).

The PCL-R is mostly used in forensic settings — for example, to inform risk assessment, sentencing, parole and treatment planning — and in research. Because the label “psychopath” can have serious consequences, it should only be applied by qualified, trained professionals.

PCL:SV and PCL:YV

The PCL: Screening Version (PCL:SV) is a shorter, 12-item version scored from 0 to 24, designed for use outside prisons, such as in psychiatric and community settings (Hart, Cox & Hare, 1995). In a household survey of 638 people in Great Britain, only about 0.6% scored in the psychopathic range on the PCL:SV (Coid et al., 2009). The PCL: Youth Version (PCL:YV) adapts the 20 items for adolescents aged 12 to 18 (Forth, Kosson & Hare, 2003).

Self-Report Psychopathy Tests

Self-report tests are questionnaires the person fills in about themselves. They are quicker and cheaper than the PCL-R, so they are widely used in research with students, employees and community samples. The best known are:

Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-4)

Developed by Paulhus, Neumann and Hare as a self-report companion to the PCL-R. The fourth edition (2016) has 64 items rated on a 5-point scale, from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”, plus a 29-item short form. It measures the same four facets as the PCL-R: interpersonal manipulation, callous affect, erratic lifestyle and antisocial behaviour.

Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP)

A free, 26-item questionnaire created in 1995 for people outside prisons (Levenson, Kiehl & Fitzpatrick, 1995). It splits psychopathy into primary psychopathy (16 items covering selfishness, callousness and manipulation) and secondary psychopathy (10 items covering impulsivity and a self-defeating lifestyle), using a 4-point agree–disagree scale.

Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Revised (PPI-R)

A longer, 154-item questionnaire for adults (Lilienfeld & Widows, 2005). It focuses on personality traits rather than criminal behaviour — for example, fearlessness, stress immunity, social influence, coldheartedness and blaming others.

Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM)

A 58-item questionnaire that measures boldness (19 items), meanness (19 items) and disinhibition (20 items), based on the triarchic model (Patrick, 2010).

Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI)

A 50-item self-report for young people aged 12 and over, covering grandiose–manipulative, callous–unemotional and impulsive–irresponsible traits (Andershed et al., 2002). Tools like this are used in research on callous-unemotional traits in young people — never to label a child a “psychopath”.

Short Dark Triad (SD3)

A quick, 27-item research measure of the “Dark Triad” — Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, with nine items each (Jones & Paulhus, 2014). Many online “dark personality” quizzes are loosely based on it.

How Accurate Are Psychopathy Tests?

No test is perfect, but some are far more trustworthy than others:

• The PCL-R is the most validated. Decades of research link high scores with violent reoffending in offenders. Its accuracy depends on a well-trained rater and good-quality records.
• Self-report tests agree only moderately with the PCL-R. In a study of 1,603 offenders, PCL-R scores correlated r = .43 with the PPI and r = .30 with the LSRP (Poythress et al., 2010). That’s useful for research, but not for diagnosing an individual.
• Answers can be faked. Someone high in psychopathic traits may lie or give the “right” answers, while an anxious, conscientious person may over-report their flaws.
• Context matters. Cut-offs, norms and translations differ between countries and settings, so the same score can mean different things.

Most importantly, a score is not a diagnosis. Any assessment should be done by a qualified professional who looks at the whole person and their history.

Can You Take a Psychopathy Test Online?

Yes — many websites offer free psychopathy tests, and some are based on real research questionnaires such as the LSRP or the SD3. They can be a thought-provoking way to learn about the traits. But keep their limits in mind:

• They are not validated for diagnosing individuals, especially when questions have been reworded or the scoring changed.
• Your mood, how honest you are with yourself and how you read each question all affect the result.
• A high quiz score does not mean you are a psychopath, and a low score doesn’t prove that someone else isn’t one.

Use online tests for reflection only, and talk to a mental health professional if the results worry you.

“Am I a Psychopath?” What to Do If You’re Worried

Worrying about this is more common than you might think — for example, after a breakup, a conflict at work or a late night of reading about psychopathy online. Feeling concern, guilt or worry about how you affect other people is the opposite of the core psychopathic traits (a lack of remorse and empathy). Still, only a professional can assess you properly. If you’re struggling with anger, impulsivity, emotional numbness, intrusive thoughts or relationships that keep falling apart, a psychologist or psychiatrist can help you understand what is going on — whether it’s a personality issue, depression, anxiety, obsessive worry or something else.

Worried About Someone Else?

An online quiz can’t diagnose another person either, but it can help you put words to patterns you have noticed. Try this short self-check quiz, based on common warning signs. It isn’t a clinical test — it’s a way to organise your thoughts.

If you answered “yes” to many of the questions, read my guides on dealing with psychopaths and dating a psychopath, talk it through with someone you trust, and put your own safety first.

A Short History of Psychopathy Tests

• 1801: French physician Philippe Pinel describes manie sans délire (“madness without delirium”) — people with disturbed behaviour but clear reasoning.
• 1835: English physician James Cowles Prichard coins the term “moral insanity”.
• 1888–1891: German psychiatrist J. L. A. Koch introduces the word “psychopathic”, and later “psychopathic inferiorities”.
• 1941: American psychiatrist Hervey Cleckley publishes The Mask of Sanity, describing 16 characteristics of the psychopath based on his patients.
• 1980: Robert Hare publishes the Psychopathy Checklist, building on Cleckley’s work. It becomes the PCL-R in 1991, with a second edition in 2003.
• 1990s onwards: self-report tests such as the LSRP, PPI and SRP make it possible to study psychopathic traits in the general population.
• 2009: the triarchic model (boldness, meanness and disinhibition) offers a new way to think about and measure psychopathy.

(Sources: Horley, 2014; Kiehl & Hoffman, 2011.)

Where Are Psychopathy Tests Used?

• Criminal justice: to help assess the risk of violent reoffending and inform decisions about sentencing, parole and treatment.
• Clinical settings: as one part of a wider assessment, for example in forensic psychiatry.
• Research: to study how psychopathic traits relate to the brain, relationships, work and wellbeing.
• The workplace (research): studies of “corporate psychopathy” have found, for example, that 8 of 203 managers and executives (3.9%) scored 30 or above on the PCL-R (Babiak, Neumann & Hare, 2010). Personality tests used in hiring are not psychopathy diagnoses.

Because a psychopathy label can affect someone’s freedom and reputation, experts stress careful, ethical use: trained assessors, good information, and never a label based on a quiz.

Psychopathy vs Antisocial Personality Disorder

These terms overlap but aren’t the same. Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is an official DSM-5 diagnosis based mainly on a long-standing pattern of antisocial behaviour. Psychopathy also includes emotional and interpersonal traits — shallow emotions, a lack of empathy, grandiosity and charm. Most people with very high PCL-R scores also meet the criteria for ASPD, but most people with ASPD are not psychopaths. I explain the related terms in sociopath vs psychopath.

Conclusion

Psychopathy tests range from the PCL-R — a detailed professional assessment — to quick online quizzes. They all look at a similar cluster of traits, but only a trained professional using a validated tool can tell whether someone meets the threshold for psychopathy. If you take a quiz, treat it as a starting point for reflection, not an answer.

And if someone in your life is hurting you, you don’t need a test score to protect yourself. Trust the pattern you see, set firm boundaries and reach out for support.

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See you in my next blog post,
Dr. Shruti

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About the Author

Dr. Shruti Bhattacharya is the founder and heart of Guilt Free Mind, where she combines a Ph.D. in Immunology with advanced psychology training to deliver science-backed mental health strategies. Her mission is to empower readers to overcome stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges with practical, evidence-based tools. Dr. Bhattacharya’s unique blend of expertise and empathy shapes her approach to wellness:

• Academic & Scientific Rigor – Holding a Ph.D. in Immunology and a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Dr. Bhattacharya brings a deep understanding of the biological foundations of mental health, including the gut-brain connection. Her completion of psychology courses, such as The Psychology of Emotions: An Introduction to Embodied Cognition, from University of Cambridge enhances her ability to bridge science and emotional well-being.
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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

References

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• Coid, J., Yang, M., Ullrich, S., Roberts, A., & Hare, R. D. (2009). Prevalence and correlates of psychopathic traits in the household population of Great Britain. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 32(2), 65–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2009.01.002
• Forth, A. E., Kosson, D. S., & Hare, R. D. (2003). The Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV). Multi-Health Systems.
• Hare, R. D. (2003). The Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (2nd ed.). Multi-Health Systems.
• Hart, S. D., Cox, D. N., & Hare, R. D. (1995). The Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV). Multi-Health Systems.
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• Lilienfeld, S. O., & Widows, M. R. (2005). Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Revised (PPI-R): Professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources.
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• Patrick, C. J., Fowles, D. C., & Krueger, R. F. (2009). Triarchic conceptualization of psychopathy: Developmental origins of disinhibition, boldness, and meanness. Development and Psychopathology, 21(3), 913–938. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579409000492
• Paulhus, D. L., Neumann, C. S., & Hare, R. D. (2016). Manual for the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (4th ed.). Multi-Health Systems.
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