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Lassche MM, Lasogga L, de Roos MS, Leeflang A, Ajazi V, Axioti M, Rassin E, van Dongen JDM. Dark Tetrad personality traits, paraphilic interests, and the role of impulsivity: an EEG-study using a Go/No-Go paradigm. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10884. [PMID: 38740864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61214-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Maladaptive personality traits, such as 'dark personalities' are found to result in a diverse set of negative outcomes, including paraphilic interests and associated (illegal) behaviors. It is however unclear how these are exactly related, and if related, if then only those individuals higher on dark personality traits and higher impulsivity engage in paraphilic behaviors. In the current study, 50 participants were recruited to investigate the relationship between Dark Tetrad personality traits (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism and everyday sadism), paraphilic interests (arousal and behavior) and the moderating role of impulsivity. Personality and paraphilic interests were investigated through self-report questionnaires. Impulsivity was measured both through self-reported dysfunctional impulsivity and the P3 event related potential using electroencephalography during the Go/No-Go task (i.e. response inhibition). The results showed that there was a positive association between psychopathy, sadism and paraphilic interests. Whereas everyday sadism was associated with paraphilic (self-reported) arousal, psychopathy was associated with paraphilic behavior. Although P3 amplitude was not associated with paraphilic interests, self-reported dysfunctional impulsivity was associated with paraphilic behavior specifically. However, there was no moderating role of dysfunctional impulsivity and response inhibition (P3) in the relationship between psychopathy and paraphilic behavior. Findings indicate that the relation between specific dark personalities and paraphilic interests may be more complex than initially thought. Nevertheless, risk assessment and intervention approaches for paraphilia and related behavior both may benefit from incorporating Dark Tetrad and impulsivity measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Lassche
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Luca Lasogga
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Melissa S de Roos
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amber Leeflang
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vanesa Ajazi
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Magda Axioti
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Rassin
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Josanne D M van Dongen
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Jansen JM, Franse ME. Executive functioning in antisocial behavior: A multi-level systematic meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev 2024; 109:102408. [PMID: 38430781 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Neurobiological information - including executive functioning - is increasingly relevant for forensic clinical practice, as well as for the criminal justice system. Previous meta-analyses report that antisocial populations show impaired performance on executive functioning tasks, but these meta-analyses are outdated, have limitations in their methodological approach, and are therefore in need of an update. The current multi-level meta-analysis including 133 studies (2008-2023) confirms impaired performance in executive functioning (d=.42), but studies are heterogeneous. Several moderator analyses showed that neuropsychological test used, type of executive function component, and control group characteristics moderated the overall effect. Specifically, matching psychiatric problems in the non-antisocial control group eliminated any differences in executive functioning between groups. No moderation effects were found for assessment quality, hot or cold executive functions, and various population characteristics. These results could indicate that the assessment of executive functioning in antisocial populations may be less relevant for recidivism risk assessment than thought, although this should first be assessed in prospective longitudinal studies. Executive functioning could potentially be used to identify or screen for individuals with certain treatment needs or be used as a responsivity factor, especially in disorders which are often underdiagnosed in criminal justice settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem Milan Jansen
- Institute for Criminal Law & Criminology, Faculty of Law, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands; Inforsa, Arkin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Melanie Elisabeth Franse
- Netherlands Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Science and Education, Herman Gorterstraat 5, 3511EW Utrecht, Netherlands; Institute of Education and Child Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333AK Leiden, Netherlands
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3
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Gillespie SM, Lee J, Williams R, Jones A. Psychopathy and response inhibition: A meta-analysis of go/no-go and stop signal task performance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104868. [PMID: 36113781 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Traditional and more modern conceptualizations of psychopathy cite problems with impulse control. However, the extent to which these problems represent a cardinal feature of the disorder has been debated. In this study, we conducted a preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis, searching Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and PubMed, for studies from inception to January 6th, 2022. We included 21 studies, published between 2009 and 2021, that reported on the relationship of psychopathy with performance on the go/no-go or stop signal task. A multilevel random-effects meta-analysis, including 43 effect sizes from 17 studies (total N = 1394), showed a significant pooled association between psychopathy and response inhibition r = -0.143 (95 % CI: -0.250 to -0.034). The relatively small effect size, although statistically significant, calls in to question the extent to which difficulties in response inhibition should be considered a cardinal feature of psychopathic personality. The strength of the relationship did not significantly differ between non-criminal and criminal samples, gender, task type, tasks with or without an affective component, or by psychopathy trait dimension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Gillespie
- Department of Primary care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
| | - Jessica Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Rachael Williams
- Department of Primary care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, UK; Liverpool Centre for Alcohol Research, University of Liverpool, UK
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Lenzen LM, Donges MR, Eickhoff SB, Poeppl TB. Exploring the neural correlates of (altered) moral cognition in psychopaths. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2021; 39:731-740. [PMID: 34655096 PMCID: PMC8688304 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Research into the neurofunctional mechanisms of psychopathy has gathered momentum over the last years. Previous neuroimaging studies have identified general changes in brain activity of psychopaths. In an exploratory meta-analysis, we here investigated the neural correlates of impaired moral cognition in psychopaths. Our analyses replicated general effects in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, lateral prefrontal cortex, fronto-insular cortex, and amygdala, which have been reported recently. In addition, we found aberrant brain activity in the midbrain and inferior parietal cortex. Our preliminary findings suggest that alterations in both regions may represent more specific functional brain changes related to (altered) moral cognition in psychopaths. Furthermore, future studies including a more comprehensive corpus of neuroimaging studies on moral cognition in psychopaths should re-examine this notion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Lenzen
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Maximilian R. Donges
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Simon B. Eickhoff
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7), Brain and Behaviour, Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Timm B. Poeppl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Psederska E, Thomson ND, Bozgunov K, Nedelchev D, Vasilev G, Vassileva J. Effects of Psychopathy on Neurocognitive Domains of Impulsivity in Abstinent Opiate and Stimulant Users. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:660810. [PMID: 34177649 PMCID: PMC8219927 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.660810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Psychopathy and substance use disorders (SUDs) are both characterized by neurocognitive impairments reflecting higher levels of impulsivity such as reward-driven decision-making and deficient inhibitory control. Previous studies suggest that psychopathy may exacerbate decision-making deficits, but it may be unrelated to other neurocognitive impairments among substance dependent individuals (SDIs). The aim of the present study was to examine the role of psychopathy and its interpersonal-affective and impulsive-antisocial dimensions in moderating the relationships between dependence on different classes of drugs and neurocognitive domains of impulsivity. Method: We tested 693 participants (112 heroin mono-dependent individuals, 71 heroin polysubstance dependent individuals, 115 amphetamine mono-dependent individuals, 76 amphetamine polysubstance dependent individuals, and 319 non-substance dependent control individuals). Participants were administered the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV) and seven neurocognitive tasks measuring impulsive choice/decision-making (Iowa Gambling Task; Cambridge Gambling Task; Kirby Delay Discounting Task; Balloon Analog Risk Task), and impulsive action/response inhibition (Go/No-Go Task, Immediate Memory Task, and Stop Signal Task). Results: A series of hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that the interpersonal-affective dimension of psychopathy moderated the association between decision-making, response inhibition and both amphetamine and heroin dependence, albeit differently. For amphetamine users, low levels of interpersonal-affective traits predicted poor decision-making on the Iowa Gambling Task and better response inhibition on the Stop Signal task. In contrast, in heroin users high interpersonal-affective psychopathy traits predicted lower risk taking on the Cambridge Gambling Task and better response inhibition on the Go/No-Go task. The impulsive-antisocial dimension of psychopathy predicted poor response inhibition in both amphetamine and heroin users. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that psychopathy and its dimensions had both common and unique effects on neurocognitive function in heroin and amphetamine dependent individuals. Our results suggest that the specific interactions between psychopathy dimensions and dependence on different classes of drugs may lead to either deficient or superior decision-making and response inhibition performance in SDIs, suggesting that psychopathy may paradoxically play a protective role for some neurocognitive functions in specific subtypes of substance users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Psederska
- Bulgarian Addictions Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria.,Department of Cognitive Science and Psychology, New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Nicholas D Thomson
- Division of Acute Care Surgical Services, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Health, Richmond, VA, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Jasmin Vassileva
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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Poeppl TB, Donges MR, Mokros A, Rupprecht R, Fox PT, Laird AR, Bzdok D, Langguth B, Eickhoff SB. A view behind the mask of sanity: meta-analysis of aberrant brain activity in psychopaths. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:463-470. [PMID: 30038232 PMCID: PMC6344321 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0122-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychopathy is a disorder of high public concern because it predicts violence and offense recidivism. Recent brain imaging studies suggest abnormal brain activity underlying psychopathic behavior. No reliable pattern of altered neural activity has been disclosed so far. This study sought to identify consistent changes of brain activity in psychopaths and to investigate whether these could explain known psychopathology. First, we used activation likelihood estimation (p < 0.05, corrected) to meta-analyze brain activation changes associated with psychopathy across 28 functional magnetic resonance imaging studies reporting 753 foci from 155 experiments. Second, we characterized the ensuing regions functionally by employing metadata of a large-scale neuroimaging database (p < 0.05, corrected). Psychopathy was consistently associated with decreased brain activity in the right laterobasal amygdala, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, and bilaterally in the lateral prefrontal cortex. A robust increase of activity was observed in the fronto-insular cortex on both hemispheres. Data-driven functional characterization revealed associations with semantic language processing (left lateral prefrontal and fronto-insular cortex), action execution and pain processing (right lateral prefrontal and left fronto-insular), social cognition (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex), and emotional as well as cognitive reward processing (right amygdala and fronto-insular cortex). Aberrant brain activity related to psychopathy is located in prefrontal, insular, and limbic regions. Physiological mental functions fulfilled by these brain regions correspond to disturbed behavioral patterns pathognomonic for psychopathy. Hence, aberrant brain activity may not just be an epiphenomenon of psychopathy but directly related to the psychopathology of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timm B Poeppl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Maximilian R Donges
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Mokros
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, FernUniversität in Hagen (University of Hagen), Hagen, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter T Fox
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
- South Texas Veterans Healthcare System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Angela R Laird
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Danilo Bzdok
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- JARA Brain, Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, Jülich, Germany
- Parietal team, INRIA, Neurospin, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7), Jülich, Germany
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Delfin C, Andiné P, Hofvander B, Billstedt E, Wallinius M. Examining Associations Between Psychopathic Traits and Executive Functions in Incarcerated Violent Offenders. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:310. [PMID: 30050476 PMCID: PMC6050384 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) are essential in almost all aspects of daily life and have been robustly related to antisocial behavior. However, the relationship between psychopathy and EFs has remained equivocal. Research investigating lower-level trait dimensions of psychopathy using standardized EF measures could be beneficial in addressing this issue. In this study, we examined associations between four EFs and four dimensions of psychopathic traits (interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, antisocial) using zero-order correlation and a combination of classical and Bayesian statistical methods. Two hundred and fourteen incarcerated male violent offenders were assessed with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised and completed tests of cognitive flexibility, spatial working memory, response inhibition, and planning and problem-solving using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Lifestyle psychopathic traits were significantly associated with reduced initial thinking time in a planning and problem-solving task, with a Bayes factor indicating substantial evidence for the observed correlation, and antisocial psychopathic traits showed a significant association with reduced initial thinking time in the same task, although the Bayes factor indicated only anecdotal evidence. Significant associations were also found between affective and antisocial psychopathic traits and less efficient strategic thinking in a spatial working memory task, and between affective, lifestyle and antisocial psychopathic traits and fewer problems solved in a planning and problem-solving task, although these findings were not corroborated by the Bayesian analysis. While the observed effects ranged between small and medium, our study suggests that reduced initial thinking times in planning and problem-solving is robustly associated with higher degrees of lifestyle and antisocial psychopathic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Delfin
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Research and Development Unit, Regional Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Peter Andiné
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Björn Hofvander
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eva Billstedt
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Märta Wallinius
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Research and Development Unit, Regional Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Szücs A, Szanto K, Aubry JM, Dombrovski AY. Personality and Suicidal Behavior in Old Age: A Systematic Literature Review. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:128. [PMID: 29867594 PMCID: PMC5949532 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide rates generally peak in the second half of life and are particularly high in older men; however, little is known about the contribution of dispositional factors to late-life suicide. Maladaptive personality traits have been strongly implicated in suicide among younger adults, but the extent to which they continue to play a role in late-life suicidal behavior is unclear. We also do not know whether specific personality profiles interact with the stressors of aging to cause suicidal behavior. METHODS We sought to synthesize the data on personality pathology in late-life suicidal ideation and behavior via a systematic review using the PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycInfo, Scopus, Ovid, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane search engines. The included key words related to three descriptors: "personality," "suicide," and "elderly." Included articles evaluated personality based on the Five-Factor Model (FFM) or ICD/DSM diagnostic criteria in older samples with minimum age cutoffs of 50 years or older. Our original search identified 1,183 articles, of which 31 were retained. RESULTS Included studies were heterogeneous in their design and personality measurements. Studies of categorical personality disorders were particularly scarce and suggested a stronger association with late-life suicidal ideation than with death by suicide. Only obsessive-compulsive and avoidant personality traits were associated with death by suicide in old age, but only in studies that did not control for depression. All personality constructs were positively linked to suicidal ideation, except for histrionic personality, which emerged as a negative predictor. Studies employing the FFM also indicated that older adults who died by suicide were less likely to display a maladaptive personality profile than elderly suicide attempters and younger suicide victims, having both lower levels of neuroticism and higher levels of conscientiousness than these comparison groups. Nevertheless, older suicide victims displayed lower levels of openness to experience than younger victims in two samples. CONCLUSION Maladaptive personality manifests in milder, subthreshold, and more heterogeneous forms in late-life vs. early-life suicide. An inability to adapt to the changes occurring in late life may help explain the association between suicide in old age and higher conscientiousness as well as obsessive-compulsive and avoidant personality disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szücs
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Decision Neuroscience and Psychopathology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Katalin Szanto
- Decision Neuroscience and Psychopathology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jean-Michel Aubry
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Y. Dombrovski
- Decision Neuroscience and Psychopathology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Weidacker K, Snowden RJ, Boy F, Johnston SJ. Response inhibition in the parametric Go/No-Go task in psychopathic offenders. Psychiatry Res 2017; 250:256-263. [PMID: 28171793 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.01.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous research on response inhibition in psychopaths has failed to find consistent evidence for aberrant inhibitory ability, despite strong expectations to the contrary. However, previous examinations have utilised inhibition paradigms that suffer from critical shortcomings, such as a lack of ecological validity and overly simplistic response criteria. To assess inhibition under conditions close to the demands of everyday settings, the current study employs a parametric Go/No-go task in male offenders (n77). Additionally, rather than treating psychopathy as a categorical descriptor, a dimensional approach is taken to assess the relationship between individual psychopathic traits and response inhibition performance. Results indicate significant relationships between response inhibition and individual facets of psychopathy as measured by the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version. A positive relationship was found between inhibitory ability and interpersonal aspects of psychopathy, reflecting an enhancement of inhibitory functioning for those scoring high on this facet. In addition, a negative association was found between psychopathic lifestyle characteristics and response inhibition. Whereas the negative association mirrors the conceptualisation of the lifestyle facet, the positive association between interpersonal psychopathic aspects and response inhibition might reflect a propensity for adaptive behaviour that enables psychopaths to adequately manipulate their victims and mask their true nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Weidacker
- School of Human and Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Swansea, Swansea, Wales, UK
| | | | - Frederic Boy
- School of Human and Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Swansea, Swansea, Wales, UK
| | - Stephen J Johnston
- School of Human and Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Swansea, Swansea, Wales, UK.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes recent executive functions research to better delineate the nosology of personality disorders. RECENT FINDINGS This review indicates that there are consistent impairments in executive functioning in people with personality disorders as compared with matched controls. Only five disorders were considered: borderline, obsessive-compulsive, antisocial, narcissistic, and schizotypal. Significant deficits are observed in decision-making, working memory, inhibition, and flexibility. Relevant data for the remaining personality disorders have not yet been published in relation to the executive functions. SUMMARY People with personality disorders could present a pattern of neurocognitive alterations that suggest a specific impairment of the prefrontal areas. The executive dysfunctions could partially explain the behavioral alterations in people with personality disorders.Further research should adopt broader considerations of effects of comorbidity and clinical heterogeneity, include community samples and, possibly, longitudinal designs with samples of youth.
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Lantrip C, Towns S, Roth RM, Giancola PR. Psychopathy traits are associated with self-report rating of executive functions in the everyday life of healthy adults. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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