Abstract
The triarchic model of psychopathy emphasizes the role of three phenotypic personality domains (boldness, meanness, and disinhibition) that have been operationalized using the well-established Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. The present study sought to further validate the MPQ-Tri scales, and examine their temporal stability and predictive validity across two timepoints (ages 18 and 26) from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a population representative, and longitudinal sample (N=1037). This investigation necessitated modification of the MPQ-Tri scales to enable their use in a broader range of samples including the Dunedin Study. The revised MPQ-Tri scales demonstrated good temporal stability, and correlation and multiple linear regression analyses predominantly revealed associations consistent with theoretical expectations. Overall, the findings provide support for the MPQ-Tri scales as reliable, stable, and valid measures of the triarchic constructs which enable a unique opportunity to examine highly novel research questions concerning psychopathy in a wide variety of samples.