This article is the first in a two-part series on psychopathy. Psychopathy
is an elusive and perplexing psychological construct. Problems posed by thi
s mental disorder are linked to changing historical interpretations impacti
ng the current clinical community's general understanding of it especially
in relation to Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). Accordingly, the res
earchers provide a thorough analytical review of the major transitions asso
ciated with psychopathy's historical development. This assessment demonstra
tes where and how the nomenclature, meaning, degree of social condemnation,
and prognosis for this mental disorder have changed Ultimately this articl
e clarifies much of the uncertainty surrounding this misunderstood psycholo
gical construct.