Joseph Camilleri
Professor

Biography

Dr. Joseph Camilleri is a Professor of Psychology at Westfield State University, who specializes in forensic and evolutionary psychology. His recent research interests are in correctional program evaluation, law enforcement and mental health co-response, and in risk assessment validation.

He is advisor to graduate students in both the Forensic Concentration and Law Enforcement & Mental Health Co-Response Concentration in our MA Program in Mental Health Counseling, teaches courses in these programs, and supervises MA thesis projects.

Education

  • 2008 - Ph.D. Social-Personality Psychology, Queen's University

  • 2004 - M.A. Applied Social Psychology, Forensic Specialization, University of Saskatchewan

  • 2001 - B.A. (Hons) Psychology, McMaster University

Courses Taught

CORE & ELECTIVES

  • Research Methods I & II

  • Statistics for Psychologists

  • Psychometrics

     

FORENSIC CONCENTRATION

  • Forensic Psychology

  • Psychology of Crime Lab

  • Investigative Psychology

GRADUATE

  • Basic and Applied Research

  • Psychological Theories of Criminal Behavior

  • Theory, Assessment, & Treatment of Psychopaths

  • Mental Disorder & Criminal Behavior

Areas of Research

My primary research activities are in risk assessment validation and correctional/community program evaluation. Through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative Grant, I work as a Statewide Research Partner assisting with developing, evaluating, and implementing the Shannon Youth Risk Violence Risk Assessment. I also serve as a Local Action Research Partner to provide evaluation support for community organizations in Pittsfield MA who run Shannon funded violence prevention programs.

I also have several ongoing research collaborations in studying the effectiveness of a DBT program for incarcerated women, evaluating the need and best practices in law enforcement/mental health co-response, and in improving investigative psychology practices.

I regularly supervise MA theses, undergraduate honors projects, independent studies, and research internships.

Publications

REPORTS:

Camilleri, J.A., Barao, L., Skrocki, C., & Rivera, C. (2025). Pittsfield MA Community Risk Assessment. Shannon CSI Local Action Research Partner Report.

Camilleri, J. A., Khade, N, & Contreras, R. (2025). Validation of the Shannon Individual Risk Assessment: A Tool to Predict Youth Engagement in Gangs and Violence. Shannon Statewide Research Partner Report.

JOURNAL ARTICLES:

Book, A., Costello, K., & Camilleri, J. A. (2013). Psychopathy and victim selection: The use of gait as a cue to vulnerability. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28, 2368-2383.

Volk, A. A., Camilleri, J. A., Dane, A., & Marini, Z. A. (2012). Is adolescent bullying an evolutionary adaptation? Aggressive Behavior, 38, 222-238.

Olver, M. E., Preston, D. L., Camilleri, J. A., Helmus, L., & Starzomski, A. (2011). A survey of clinical psychology training in Canadian federal corrections: Implications for psychologist recruitment and retention. Canadian Psychology, 52, 310-320.

Helmus, L., Babchishin, K. M., Camilleri, J. A., & Olver, M. E. (2011). Forensic psychology opportunities in Canadian graduate programs: An update of Simourd and Wormith’s (1995) survey. Canadian Psychology, 52, 122-127.

Camilleri, J. A. & Quinsey, V. L. (2011). Appraising the risk of sexual and violent recidivism among intellectually disabled offenders. Psychology, Crime, and Law, 17, 59-74.

Camilleri, J. A., Kuhlmeier, V. A., & Chu, J. Y. Y. (2010). Remembering helpers and hinderers depends on behavioral intentions of the agent and psychopathic characteristics of the observer. Evolutionary Psychology, 8, 303-316.

Camilleri, J. A., Quinsey, V. L., & *Tapscott, J. L. (2009). Assessing the propensity for sexual coaxing and sexual coercion in relationships: Factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Tactics to Obtain Sex Scale. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38, 959-973.

Camilleri, J. A. & Quinsey, V. L. (2009). Testing the cuckoldry risk hypothesis of partner sexual coercion in community and forensic samples. Evolutionary Psychology, 7, 164-178.

Camilleri, J. A. & Quinsey, V. L. (2009). Individual differences in the propensity for partner sexual coercion. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research & Treatment, 21, 111-129.

Goetz, A. T., Shackelford, T. K., & Camilleri, J. A. (2008). Proximate and ultimate explanations are required for a comprehensive understanding of partner rape. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 13, 119-123.

Harris, G. T., Rice, M. E. & Camilleri, J. A. (2004). Applying a forensic actuarial assessment (the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide) to nonforensic patients. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 1063-1074.

BOOK CHAPTERS/ENTRIES:

Camilleri, J. A. (2023). Sexual coercion. In D. M. Buss (Ed.) Oxford Handbook of Human Mating (pp. 629-647) . Oxford University Press.

DeCosmo V. & Camilleri J.A. (2020) False positives. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Cianciolo, K. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Sex differences in morbid jealousy. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Cianciolo, K. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Homicide fantasies and Evolved Homicide Module Theory. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Fazackerly, A. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Partner rape. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Fotopoulos, J., Bertolini, K. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Partner abuse & homicide: Victims & Perpetrators. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Lee C. & Camilleri J.A. (2020) False negatives. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Malard, D. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Partner death as designed outcome. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Moore, N. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Detecting infidelity. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Reinke, A. M. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Commitment skepticism. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Reinke, A. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Spousal abuse and homicide: Evolved homicide module theory (Buss). In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Richotte, K., Gutierrez, A., & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Sex differences in commitment skepticism. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Rudd, C. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Female manipulation of men. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Souve, S. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Error management theory. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Teter, L. & Camilleri, J. A. (2020). Spousal abuse and homicide: Byproduct Theory (Daly & Wilson). In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Zaragoza A.E. & Camilleri J.A. (2020) Navigating social relationships. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Bentancourt, C. & Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Emotional jealousy. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Bentancourt, C. & Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Female infidelity. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Bentancourt, C. & Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Partner abuse & homicide. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Forced copulation. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3064-1

Camilleri, J. A. (2019). Tactics to Obtain Sex Scale. In R. R. Milhausen, J. K. Sakaluk, T. D. Fisher, C. M. Davis, & W. L. Yarber (Eds.) Handbook of Sexuality-Related Measures (4th ed.). Routledge.

Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Sexual Conflict Theory (Middle-Level Theory in Evolutionary Psychology). In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3599-1

Fahey, S. R. & Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Sexual conflict and sex differences in parental investment. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3704-1

Jackson C.M. & Camilleri J.A. (2019) Sex differences in inferring sexual interest. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Jacobs J.F.S. & Camilleri J.A. (2019) Error Management Theory: Benefit and cost asymmetries. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Kochanowski B.J. & Camilleri J.A. (2019) Jealousy. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Melnyck, K. T. & Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Sperm competition risk and partner abuse. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Phillips A.E. & Camilleri J.A. (2019). Sexual jealousy in long-term relationships. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. DOI:

Tilli, K. M. & Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Jealousy: Developmental trajectory. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2036-1

Tilli, K. M. & Camilleri, J. A. (2018). Jealousy: Psychiatric diagnosis. In T. K. Shackelford & V. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2034-1

Camilleri, J. A. & Miele, M. M. (2017). Perpetrators of intimate partner sexual violence: Characteristics, motivations, and implications for assessment and intervention. In L. McOrmond-Plummer, J. Y. Levy-Peck, & Easteal, P. (Eds), Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: Prevention, Recognition, and Intervention (pp. 55-66). UK: Routledge.

Camilleri, J. A. & Miele, M. M. (2017). Perpetrators of intimate partner sexual violence: Characteristics, motivations, and implications for assessment and intervention. In L. McOrmond-Plummer, J. Y. Levy-Peck, & Easteal, P. (Eds), Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: Prevention, Recognition, and Intervention (pp. 55-66). UK: Routledge.

Camilleri, J. A. (2012). Evolutionary psychological perspectives on sexual offending: From etiology to intervention. In T. K. Shackelford & V. A. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Perspectives on Violence, Homicide, and War (pp. 173-196). New York: Oxford University Press.

Volk, A. A., Camilleri, J. A., Dane, A., & Marini, Z. A. (2012). If, when, and why adolescent bullying is adaptive. In T. K. Shackelford & V. A. Weekes-Shackelford (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Perspectives on Violence, Homicide, and War (pp. 270-288). New York: Oxford University Press.

Camilleri, J. A., & Quinsey, V. L. (2012). Sexual conflict and partner rape. In A. T. Goetz & T. K. Shackelford (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Sexual Conflict in Humans. Oxford University Press (pp. 257-268). New York: Oxford University Press.

Camilleri, J. A. (2011). Tactics to Obtain Sex Scale. In T. D. Fisher, C. M. Davis, W. L. Yarber, & S. L. Davis (Eds.) Handbook of Sexuality-Related Measures (3rd ed., pp. 628-630). Routledge.

Camilleri, J. A. & Quinsey, V. L. (2008). Pedophilia: Assessment and treatment. In D. R. Laws & W. T. O’Donohue (Eds.), Sexual deviance: Theory, assessment, and treatment (2nd ed., pp. 183-212). New York: Guilford.

Professional Service

Professional Service and Memberships:

  • Canadian Psychological Association: Criminal Justice Psychology Section
  • Executive - Director-at-Large (2007 – Present)
  • Human Behavior & Evolution Society - Member

Honors and Awards:

2025 John F. Nevins Outstanding Educator Award

Headshot of Joseph Camilleri.