The Relationship between Psychopathy Personality Trait Scale (PPTS) and the Full Range Leadership Model
Natalie Louise Gorton
University of Huddersfield, UK
19 June 2024
Date of Publication:
Key Words
Psychopathy, Full Range Leadership Model, Laissez-Faire leadership, MLQ
Abstract
Psychopathy has been a well-researched and the Psychopathy Personality Traits Scale (PPTS) widely used within forensic populations. Research into effective leadership has also been well established. However, corporate psychopathy within the organisational context in relation to leadership is a new emerging area. Psychopathy assessment measures have been questioned regarding the incorporation of behavioural factors and cut off scores, with some research debating that psychopathy is on continuum and deviant behaviour is a consequence rather than a part of psychopathy. This study aims to replicate newly emerging research that investigates psychopathy in relation to the Full Range Leadership Model which assess Transformational, Transactional and Laissez-Faire leadership. However, a new scale, uncontaminated by behavioural factors, the Psychopathy Personality Traits Scale (PPTS), was used to establish if the same result would be found, while furthering the investigation in relation to its predictability in relation to leadership. A cross-sectional design was employed, with survey data from N=187 students from the University of Huddersfield. PPTS total scores predict participants’ MLQ ratings. Additionally, PPTS scores negatively correlate with Transformational leadership perceptions and positively correlate with Laissez-Faire leadership perceptions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
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