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Li Z, Guo WY. Pre-service teachers' altruistic motivation for choosing teaching as a career: where does it come from? Front Psychol 2024; 15:1334470. [PMID: 38629044 PMCID: PMC11020075 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1334470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aims to examine the factors influencing pre-service teachers' altruistic motivation for selecting their profession within a Chinese educational setting. Drawing on existing research, a three-element (social-cognitive, emotional, and realistic) model is integrated to explore how pre-service teachers' altruistic motivations are formed and evolved. Utilizing this model, interview data from 18 students enrolled in the Chinese Free Teacher Education program were collected and analyzed by thematic analysis. The findings indicate that social-cognitive factors impact altruistic motivation through engagement with social issues and reflections on practical educational challenges. The emotional factor is manifested through the participants' positive and negative emotions. The realistic factor comprises familial influences and personal career preferences, which play a role in the decision to pursue teaching as a lifelong vocation. This study proposes a structured and functional model that can serve as a foundation for future research into the development of altruistic motivation. It also offers insights into nurturing altruistic motivation among both pre-service and practicing teachers in their career decision-making process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuotong Li
- School of Philosophy and Social Development, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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2
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Winters DE, Sakai JT. Emotion Identification for Self and Other Associated with Callous-Unemotional Traits and Sex Differences in Early Adolescents. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024; 55:564-574. [PMID: 36088498 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01429-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Callous-unemotional traits (CU) associates with impairments in emotional responsivity. However, there is less evidence on associations with specific emotions and sex differences utilizing both self and other oriented emotional stimuli. Given that the nuance of associations with specific emotions (including sex effects) is critical for understanding core impairments of this antisocial phenotype, the current study employed a behavioral paradigm with both self and other emotional stimuli for specific emotions (happy, sad, anger, fear, neutral) with a sample of male and female early adolescents (females = 51%, age = 12.86 ± 0.75). We examined accuracy and reaction times on this task, along with moderating effects of sex, in relation to CU traits. Results indicate CU traits associated with overall self-emotions negatively and sex moderated CU traits negative association with recognizing others overall emotions. CU traits negatively associated with accurate identification of both self and other emotions (happy, sad, and fear). Sex moderated all other emotion identification but only sad emotions for self. No reaction time differences were found. These findings evidence important nuance in CU traits and sex effects with identifying self and other emotions. Results have important implications for clinical understanding of sex differences in CU traits that require further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Winters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Joseph T Sakai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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3
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Winters DE, Leopold DR, Sakai JT, Carter RM. Efficiency of Heterogenous Functional Connectomes Explains Variance in Callous-Unemotional Traits After Computational Lesioning of Cortical Midline and Salience Regions. Brain Connect 2023; 13:410-426. [PMID: 37221853 PMCID: PMC10517336 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2022.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are a youth antisocial phenotype hypothesized to be a result of differences in the integration of multiple brain systems. However, mechanistic insights into these brain systems are a continued challenge. Where prior work describes activation and connectivity, new mechanistic insights into the brain's functional connectome can be derived by removing nodes and quantifying changes in network properties (hereafter referred to as computational lesioning) to characterize connectome resilience and vulnerability. Methods: Here, we study the resilience of connectome integration in CU traits by estimating changes in efficiency after computationally lesioning individual-level connectomes. From resting-state data of 86 participants (48% female, age 14.52 ± 1.31) drawn from the Nathan Kline institute's Rockland study, individual-level connectomes were estimated using graphical lasso. Computational lesioning was conducted both sequentially and by targeting global and local hubs. Elastic net regression was applied to determine how these changes explained variance in CU traits. Follow-up analyses characterized modeled node hubs, examined moderation, determined impact of targeting, and decoded the brain mask by comparing regions to meta-analytic maps. Results: Elastic net regression revealed that computational lesioning of 23 nodes, network modularity, and Tanner stage explained variance in CU traits. Hub assignment of selected hubs differed at higher CU traits. No evidence for moderation between simulated lesioning and CU traits was found. Targeting global hubs increased efficiency and targeting local hubs had no effect at higher CU traits. Identified brain mask meta-analytically associated with more emotion and cognitive terms. Although reliable patterns were found across participants, adolescent brains were heterogeneous even for those with a similar CU traits score. Conclusion: Adolescent brain response to simulated lesioning revealed a pattern of connectome resiliency and vulnerability that explains variance in CU traits, which can aid prediction of youth at greater risk for higher CU traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E. Winters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Daniel R. Leopold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Joseph T. Sakai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - R. McKell Carter
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience; Computer and Energy Engineering; University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Cognitive Science; Computer and Energy Engineering; University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering; University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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4
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Winters DE, Leopold DR, Carter RM, Sakai JT. Resting-state connectivity underlying cognitive control's association with perspective taking in callous-unemotional traits. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 331:111615. [PMID: 36924739 PMCID: PMC10133184 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits are often associated with impairments in perspective taking and cognitive control (regulating goal directed behavior); and adolescents with CU traits demonstrate aberrant brain activation/connectivity in areas underlying these processes. Together cognitive control and perspective taking are thought to link mechanistically to explain CU traits. Because increased cognitive control demands modulate perspective taking ability among both typically developing samples and individuals with elevated CU traits, understanding the neurophysiological substrates of these constructs could inform efforts to alleviate societal costs of antisocial behavior. The present study uses GIMME to examine the heterogenous functional brain properties (i.e., connection density, node centrality) underlying cognitive control's influence on perspective taking among adolescents on a CU trait continuum. Results reveal that cognitive control had a negative indirect association with CU traits via perspective taking; and brain connectivity indirectly associated with lower CU traits - specifically the social network via perspective taking and conflict network via cognitive control. Additionally, less negative connection density between the social and conflict networks was directly associated with higher CU traits. Our results support the growing literature on cognitive control's influence on socio-cognitive functioning in CU traits and extends that work by identifying underlying functional brain properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Winters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, CO, USA.
| | - Daniel R Leopold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, CO, USA; Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - R McKell Carter
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA, Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Joseph T Sakai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, CO, USA
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5
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Northam JC, Dar H, Hawes DJ, Barnes K, McNair NA, Fisher CA, Dadds MR. More than a feeling? An expanded investigation of emotional responsiveness in young children with conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:494-508. [PMID: 35068401 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421001590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Children with conduct problems and high callous-unemotional (CP+CU) traits are characterized by dampened emotional responding, limiting their ability for affective empathy and impacting the development of prosocial behaviors. However, research documenting this dampening in young children is sparse and findings vary, with attachment-related stimuli hypothesized to ameliorate deficits in emotional responding. Here we test emotional responsiveness across various emotion-eliciting stimuli using multiple measures of emotional responsiveness (behavioral, physiological, self-reported) and attention, in young children aged 2-8 years (M age = 5.37), with CP+CU traits (CP+CU; n = 36), CPs and low CU traits (CP-CU; n = 82) and a community control sample (CC; n = 27). We found no evidence that attachment-related stimulus ameliorated deficits in emotional responding. Rather, at a group level we found a consistent pattern of reduced responding across all independent measures of responsiveness for children with CP+CU compared to the CC group. Few differences were found between CP+CU and CP-CU groups. When independent measures were standardized and included in a regression model predicting to CU trait score, higher CU traits were associated with reduced emotional responding, demonstrating the importance of multimodal measurement of emotional responsiveness when investigating the impact of CU traits in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaimie C Northam
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hayim Dar
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Hawes
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kirsten Barnes
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicolas A McNair
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carri A Fisher
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark R Dadds
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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6
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Winters DE, Sakai JT. Affective theory of mind impairments underlying callous-unemotional traits and the role of cognitive control. Cogn Emot 2023; 37:696-713. [PMID: 37017241 PMCID: PMC10330116 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2023.2195154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Affective theory of mind (aToM) impairments associated with the youth antisocial phenotype callous-unemotional (CU) traits predict antisocial behaviour above CU traits alone. Importantly, CU traits associate with decrements in complex but not basic aToM. aToM is modulated by cognitive control and CU traits associate with cognitive control impairments; thus, cognitive control is a plausible mechanism underlying aToM impairments in CU traits. Because cognitive control is dependent on the availability of cognitive resources, youth with CU traits may have difficulty with allocating cognitive resources under greater demands that impact complex aToM. To test this, 81 participants (ages 12-14, Female = 51.8%, Male = 48.2%) were recruited to complete a behavioural paradigm that involved an initial aToM task with complex and basic emotions followed by placing additional demands on cognitive control and a final repeat of the same aToM task. Results indicate adolescents higher in CU traits had intact basic aToM but less accuracy in complex aToM that worsened after taxing cognitive control; and this load only required a short duration to account for ToM decrements (200 ms [range 150-1600 ms]). These results demonstrate CU traits association with cognitive control limitations that impact complex aToM. This may partially explain antisocial behaviour associated with CU traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Winters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Joseph T Sakai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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7
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Ribes-Guardiola P, Ventura-Bort C, Poy R, Segarra P, Branchadell V, Moltó J. Attention-affect interactions and triarchic psychopathy: New electrophysiological insights from the late positive potential. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14222. [PMID: 36416527 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
One of the most prominent characteristics of psychopathy is a reduced processing of emotionally relevant information. However, it is still unclear how attentional mechanisms may modulate this deficit. The current study aimed to examine the impact of attentional focus on emotion processing in relation to the triarchic constructs of boldness, meanness, and disinhibition. Participants performed two tasks in which pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant framed pictures were presented. In the first task, participants were required to indicate the color of the frame (alternative-focus task), whereas in the second task they were instructed to indicate the emotional category of the image (affect-focus task). The Late Positive Potential (LPP) was used as an index of sustained engagement of attention to affective material. Confirming a successful task manipulation, we observed reduced LPP amplitudes, particularly for affective relevant material, in the alternative-focus task compared to the affect-focus task. Most interestingly, our results evidenced that trait meanness scores were associated with blunted elaborative processing of affective material (both appetitive and aversive) when this information was task-relevant (affect-focus task), but not when it was task-irrelevant (alternative-focus task). These findings indicate that high mean individuals are characterized by blunted elaborative processing of affective stimuli when their motivational relevance is determined in a top-down manner (i.e., when it is task-relevant). Our results highlight the need for further studying of the bottom-up and top-down dynamics of emotional attention in psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Ribes-Guardiola
- Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | - Carlos Ventura-Bort
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Rosario Poy
- Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | - Pilar Segarra
- Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | - Victoria Branchadell
- Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
| | - Javier Moltó
- Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology, and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain
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8
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Brazil IA. Social-affective functioning and learning in psychopathy. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 197:75-86. [PMID: 37633720 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-821375-9.00014-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Psychopathy is a personality construct for which impairments in multiple aspects of social and affective functioning are considered to be central. Individuals with elevated levels of psychopathic traits tend to exhibit maladaptive behaviors that are harmful to themselves and others, and seem to be limited in how they perceive and experience affective states. This chapter provides a brief overview of biopsychological theories and studies of psychopathy targeting impairments in affective processing and behavioral adaptation through learning. Also, current gaps in the literature will be discussed in addition to findings highlighting the need to routinely reexamine the validity and robustness of decades-old views on psychopathy in the light of recent multidisciplinary empirical research. The chapter ends with a short reflection on how alternative views may offer novel insights that may bring significant advances in the study of the biopsychological factors underlying psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inti A Brazil
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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9
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Jiang Y, Gao Y, Dong D, Sun X, Situ W, Yao S. Structural abnormalities in adolescents with conduct disorder and high versus low callous unemotional traits. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:193-203. [PMID: 34635947 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01890-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
There may be distinct conduct disorder (CD) etiologies and neural morphologies in adolescents with high callous unemotional (CU) traits versus low CU traits. Here, we employed surface-based morphometry methods to investigate morphological differences in adolescents diagnosed with CD [42 with high CU traits (CD-HCU) and 40 with low CU traits (CD-LCU)] and healthy controls (HCs, N = 115) in China. Whole-brain analyses revealed significantly increased cortical surface area (SA) in the left inferior temporal cortex and the right precuneus, but decreased SA in the left superior temporal cortex in the CD-LCU group, compared with the HC group. There were no significant cortical SA differences between the CD-HCU and the HC groups. Compared to the CD-HCU group, the CD-LCU group had a greater cortical thickness (CT) in the left rostral middle frontal cortex. Region-of-interest analyses revealed significant group differences in the right hippocampus, with CD-HCU group having lower right hippocampal volumes than HCs. We did not detect significant group differences in the amygdalar volume, however, the right amygdalar volume was found to be a significant moderator of the correlation between CU traits and the proactive aggression in CD patients. The present results suggested that the manifestations of CD differ between those with high CU traits versus low CU traits, and underscore the importance of sample characteristics in understanding the neural substrates of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yidian Gao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Daifeng Dong
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqiang Sun
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijun Situ
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqiao Yao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- National Clinical Research Center on Psychiatry and Psychology, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Li M, Li W, Yang Q, Huang L. Altruistic preferences of pre-service teachers: The mediating role of empathic concern and the moderating role of self-control. Front Psychol 2022; 13:999105. [PMID: 36389580 PMCID: PMC9649679 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.999105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Empathy and altruistic behavior are more crucial abilities for pre-service teachers to possess when compared with other study fields. The relationship between empathy and altruistic behavior in Chinese pre-service teachers and their underlying mechanisms, however, has received relatively little attention in the literature. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to examine the links between study fields (i.e., pre-service teachers whose study field is pedagogy and non-pre-service teachers whose study field is non-pedagogy), self-control, emotional empathy (i.e., empathic concern), and altruistic preferences among undergraduates and graduates in five Chinese universities (the age range of participants is 18-20 years; 58.4% women) with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index-C Questionnaire, the Self-Control Scale, and the Chinese Self-Report Altruism Scale tests. The results showed a significant difference between pre-service and non-pre-service teachers in empathic concern and self-control. Furthermore, empathic concern and altruistic behavior tendency of pre-service teachers were significantly higher than those of non-pre-service teachers. Moreover, mediation analyses indicated that empathic concern partially mediated the relationship between study fields and altruistic tendency. Moderated mediation analysis further revealed that self-control buffered the relation between empathic concern and altruistic behavior tendency. These results demonstrate that altruistic tendency of pre-service teachers is influenced by empathic concern and self-control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maohao Li
- Faculty of Education, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Psychological Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qun Yang
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Psychological Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lihui Huang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
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11
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Flórez G, Ferrer V, García L, Crespo M, Pérez M, Saiz P. The Influence of Psychopathy on Incarcerated Inmates’ Cognitive Empathy. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12081003. [PMID: 36009066 PMCID: PMC9405578 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12081003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: there is an ongoing debate about whether psychopathic traits increase or decrease cognitive empathy/Theory of Mind. (2) Methods: using a representative sample of 204 Spanish convicted inmates incarcerated at the Pereiro de Aguiar Penitentiary in Ourense, Spain, we investigated the relationship between two tools for the assessment of psychopathy, the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP), and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), a well-known measure of cognitive empathy. (3) Results: The results showed no clear connection between the scores on the psychopathy assessment tools and RMET performance. This lack of association was stronger when the age variable was included in the multivariate analysis. (4) Conclusions: the results of this study failed to detect any clear link between psychopathy and cognitive empathy performance. Accordingly, our results indicate that psychopathy neither improves nor worsens cognitive empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Flórez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 33011 Oviedo, Spain;
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-650961659
| | - Ventura Ferrer
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Luis García
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - María Crespo
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Manuel Pérez
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Pilar Saiz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 33011 Oviedo, Spain;
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Mental Health Services of Principado de Asturias (SESPA), 33001 Oviedo, Spain
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12
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Zhao Z, Yu X, Ren Z, Zhang L, Li X. The remediating effect of Attention Bias Modification on aggression in young offenders with antisocial tendency: A randomized controlled trial. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2022; 75:101711. [PMID: 34923371 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES An attention bias toward hostile stimuli is associated with an increased risk of aggressive behavior. Thus, reducing hostile attention bias may help to reduce aggression in young offenders. We evaluated the remediating effects of Attention Bias Modification (ABM) on hostile attention bias and aggressive behavior in Chinese male young offenders with antisocial tendencies. METHODS Institutionalized male young offenders (ages 16-18) were recruited and randomly assigned to ABM (n = 28), placebo (n = 28), or waiting list (n = 28). The ABM group received four weeks of training using visual search of emotional faces; the placebo group underwent similar training using visual search of neutral objects. Before and after treatment, aggressive behavior, attention bias toward positive stimuli and hostile stimuli were assessed. RESULTS Linear mixed models and hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the intervention effect of ABM was moderated by participants' initial attention bias. Young offenders with a high level of initial hostile attention bias, or with a low level of initial positive attention bias, benefitted most from ABM. LIMITATIONS The small sample size impedes investigation of the mechanism of the intervention's effects. Further research can determine whether the current results can be extrapolated to the population of female young offenders. CONCLUSION The results of the present study suggest that ABM is helpful for young offenders who show the greatest bias toward hostile stimuli and away from positive stimuli. These findings highlight the importance of matching the intervention and the participant. TRIAL REGISTRATION osf.io/vj5rk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xianglian Yu
- Department of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Zhihong Ren
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xu Li
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China.
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13
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Zhang X, Zhang M, Zeng M, Lan M, Liu Y, Li J, Chen H, Yang J. Childhood emotional neglect predicts empathic accuracy in social inclusion and exclusion contexts. Psych J 2022; 11:481-491. [DOI: 10.1002/pchj.553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuehan Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Mengning Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Mei Zeng
- Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Mengxue Lan
- Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Yadong Liu
- Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Jiwen Li
- Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Haopeng Chen
- Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Chongqing China
| | - Juan Yang
- Faculty of Psychology Southwest University Chongqing China
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14
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Baskin-Sommers A, Brazil IA. The importance of an exaggerated attention bottleneck for understanding psychopathy. Trends Cogn Sci 2022; 26:325-336. [PMID: 35120814 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The psychopath has long captured the imagination. A name such as Ted Bundy evokes a morbid curiosity. The crimes committed by Bundy are so cruel that it is hard to imagine how someone could do such things. In this review we discuss evidence that exaggeration in an attention bottleneck is one mechanism that makes it possible for psychopathic individuals to be adept at focusing on a single stimulus feature or goal but struggle to process multiple streams of information simultaneously. This exaggeration may partly explain the behavioral, affective, and social deficits that are apparent among psychopathic individuals. Further research on this attentional mechanism may promote a science that adequately captures the complexity of psychopathic behavior and offers new avenues for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inti A Brazil
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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15
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Greening SG, Lee TH, Burleigh L, Grégoire L, Robinson T, Jiang X, Mather M, Kaplan J. Mental imagery can generate and regulate acquired differential fear conditioned reactivity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:997. [PMID: 35046506 PMCID: PMC8770773 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05019-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental imagery is an important tool in the cognitive control of emotion. The present study tests the prediction that visual imagery can generate and regulate differential fear conditioning via the activation and prioritization of stimulus representations in early visual cortices. We combined differential fear conditioning with manipulations of viewing and imagining basic visual stimuli in humans. We discovered that mental imagery of a fear-conditioned stimulus compared to imagery of a safe conditioned stimulus generated a significantly greater conditioned response as measured by self-reported fear, the skin conductance response, and right anterior insula activity (experiment 1). Moreover, mental imagery effectively down- and up-regulated the fear conditioned responses (experiment 2). Multivariate classification using the functional magnetic resonance imaging data from retinotopically defined early visual regions revealed significant decoding of the imagined stimuli in V2 and V3 (experiment 1) but significantly reduced decoding in these regions during imagery-based regulation (experiment 2). Together, the present findings indicate that mental imagery can generate and regulate a differential fear conditioned response via mechanisms of the depictive theory of imagery and the biased-competition theory of attention. These findings also highlight the potential importance of mental imagery in the manifestation and treatment of psychological illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven G Greening
- Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, R3T 2N2, Canada.
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA.
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Tae-Ho Lee
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Lauryn Burleigh
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
| | - Laurent Grégoire
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Tyler Robinson
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
| | - Xinrui Jiang
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
| | - Mara Mather
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jonas Kaplan
- Brain and Creativity Institute, Dornsife College of Letters Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
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16
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Satmarean TS, Milne E, Rowe R. Working memory guidance of visual attention to threat in offenders. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261882. [PMID: 34995301 PMCID: PMC8741051 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggression and trait anger have been linked to attentional biases toward angry faces and attribution of hostile intent in ambiguous social situations. Memory and emotion play a crucial role in social-cognitive models of aggression but their mechanisms of influence are not fully understood. Combining a memory task and a visual search task, this study investigated the guidance of attention allocation toward naturalistic face targets during visual search by visual working memory (WM) templates in 113 participants who self-reported having served a custodial sentence. Searches were faster when angry faces were held in working memory regardless of the emotional valence of the visual search target. Higher aggression and trait anger predicted increased working memory modulated attentional bias. These results are consistent with the Social-Information Processing model, demonstrating that internal representations bias attention allocation to threat and that the bias is linked to aggression and trait anger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara S. Satmarean
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Milne
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Rowe
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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17
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Neuropsychological Characterization of Aggressive Behavior in Children and Adolescents with CD/ODD and Effects of Single Doses of Medications: The Protocol of the Matrics_WP6-1 Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11121639. [PMID: 34942941 PMCID: PMC8699463 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggressive behaviors and disruptive/conduct disorders are some of the commonest reasons for referral to youth mental health services; nevertheless, the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in real-world clinical practice remains unclear. In order to define more appropriate targets for innovative pharmacological therapies for disruptive/conduct disorders, the European Commission within the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) funded the MATRICS project (Multidisciplinary Approaches to Translational Research in Conduct Syndromes) to identify neural, genetic, and molecular factors underpinning the pathogenesis of aggression/antisocial behavior in preclinical models and clinical samples. Within the program, a multicentre case-control study, followed by a single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, randomized acute single-dose medication challenge, was conducted at two Italian sites. Aggressive children and adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) were compared to the same age (10–17 y) typically developing controls (TDC) on a neuropsychological tasks battery that included both “cold” (e.g., inhibitory control, decision making) and “hot” executive functions (e.g., moral judgment, emotion processing, risk assessment). Selected autonomic measures (heart rate variability, skin conductance, salivary cortisol) were recorded before/during/after neuropsychological testing sessions. The acute response to different drugs (methylphenidate/atomoxetine, risperidone/aripiprazole, or placebo) was also examined in the ODD/CD cohort in order to identify potential neuropsychological/physiological mechanisms underlying aggression. The paper describes the protocol of the clinical MATRICS WP6-1 study, its rationale, the specific outcome measures, and their implications for a precision medicine approach.
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18
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Calzada-Reyes A, Alvarez-Amador A, Galán-Garcia L, Valdés-Sosa M. Electroencephalographic and morphometric abnormalities in psychopath offenders. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2021; 39:597-610. [PMID: 34800344 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The main goals of the present study were to replicate and extend current knowledge related to paralimbic dysfunctions associated with psychopathy. The research evaluated the quantitative electroencephalography, current density (CD) source and synchronization likelihood analysis during the rest condition and structural magnetic resonance imaging images to compare volumetric and cortical thickness, in inmates recruited from two prisons located in Havana City. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) was used as a quantitative measure of psychopathy. This study showed most beta energy and less alpha activity in male psychopath offenders. Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography signified an increase of beta activity in psychopath offender groups within paralimbic regions. The superior temporal gyrus volume was associated with the F1 factor while the fusiform, anterior cingulate and associative occipital areas were primarily associated with the F2 factor of PCL-R scale. Cortical thickness in the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and the temporal pole was negatively associated with PCL-R total score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Calzada-Reyes
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Cuban Center for Neuroscience, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | - Mitchell Valdés-Sosa
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Cuban Center for Neuroscience, Havana, Cuba
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19
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Carvalheiro J, Conceição VA, Mesquita A, Seara-Cardoso A. Psychopathic traits and reinforcement learning under acute stress. J Pers 2021; 90:393-404. [PMID: 34536231 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individuals with high levels of psychopathic traits are often characterized by aberrant reinforcement learning. This type of learning, which implicates making choices that maximize rewards and minimize punishments, may be affected by acute stress. However, how acute stress affects reinforcement learning in individuals with different levels of psychopathic traits is not well-understood. Here, we investigated whether and how individual differences in psychopathic traits modulated the impact of acute stress on reward and punishment learning. METHOD Sixty-two male participants from a university sample completed the Self-Report Psychopathy-Short Form scale and performed a reinforcement-learning task involving monetary gains and losses whilst under acute stress and control conditions. RESULTS Individual differences in psychopathic traits modulated the impact of acute stress on behavioral performance toward obtaining gains, but not toward avoiding losses. As levels of psychopathic traits increased, the impairing effect of acute stress on reward learning decreased. Specifically, acute stress impaired performance toward seeking gains to a larger extent in individuals with lower levels of psychopathic traits than in individuals with higher levels of these traits. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that psychopathic traits modulate the impact of acute stress on reward learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Carvalheiro
- Escola de Psicologia, CIPsi, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal.,School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Vasco A Conceição
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Mesquita
- Escola de Psicologia, CIPsi, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
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20
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Yu H, Lu C, Gao X, Shen B, Liu K, Li W, Xiao Y, Yang B, Zhao X, Crockett MJ, Zhou X. Explaining Individual Differences in Advantageous Inequity Aversion by Social-Affective Trait Dimensions and Family Environment. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PERSONALITY SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/19485506211027794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Humans are averse to both having less (i.e., disadvantageous inequity aversion [IA]) and having more than others (i.e., advantageous IA). However, the social-affective traits that drive individual differences in IA are not well understood. Here, by combining a modified dictator game and a computational model, we found in a sample of incarcerated adolescents ( N = 67) that callous-unemotional traits were specifically associated with low advantageous but not disadvantageous IA. We replicated and extended the finding in a large-scale university student sample ( N = 2,250) by adopting a dimensional approach to social-affective trait measures. We showed that advantageous IA was strongly and negatively associated with a trait dimension characterized by callousness and lack of social emotions (e.g., guilt and compassion). A supportive family environment negatively correlated with this trait dimension and positively with advantageous IA. These results identify a core set of social-affective dimensions specifically associated with advantageous IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Yu
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Chunlei Lu
- Institute of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, China
| | - Xiaoxue Gao
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Shen
- Institute of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, China
| | - Kui Liu
- Institute of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, China
| | - Weijian Li
- Institute of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, China
| | - Yuqin Xiao
- School of Sociology, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Yang
- School of Sociology, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Pudong Mental Health Centre, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Psychology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Xiaolin Zhou
- Institute of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, China
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
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21
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Kavish N, Boisvert D, Cooke EM, Lewis RH, Woeckener M, Wells J, Armstrong TA. Further Evaluation of the Associations Between Psychopathic Traits and Symptoms of PTSD and Depression in a Nonclinical Sample. J Pers Disord 2021; 35:469-480. [PMID: 32039651 DOI: 10.1521/pedi_2020_34_467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Examining psychopathic traits at the factor or facet level has revealed that various aspects of psychopathy may be differentially related, even in opposing directions, to important outcomes (e.g., intelligence, emotion regulation). Empirical work on relations between psychopathy and internalizing disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, has provided evidence for a positive association with antisocial traits. However, findings for the affective domain have been more equivocal. The current study (N = 732) sought to replicate past findings of the positive association of antisocial psychopathic traits with higher levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms, and to further explore associations between affective traits of psychopathy and these disorders using two measures of psychopathy. Results confirmed prior findings of a positive correlation between antisocial features and self-reported PTSD/Depression symptom severity, but they did not provide evidence for any association with affective traits. Future research using longitudinal designs is needed to begin establishing temporal ordering of the psychopathy-internalizing relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Kavish
- Department of Psychology & Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
| | - Danielle Boisvert
- Department of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
| | - Eric M Cooke
- Department of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
| | - Richard H Lewis
- Department of Criminal Justice, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
| | - Matthias Woeckener
- Department of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
| | - Jessica Wells
- Department of Criminal Justice, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho
| | - Todd A Armstrong
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska Omaha
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22
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Estrada S, Cinguina M, Baskin-Sommers A. The Role of Exposure to Violence and Psychopathy on Violent Crime Perpetration. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-020-09834-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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23
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Pechorro P, Ray JV, Alberto I, Simões MR. The utility of self-reported psychopathic traits in predicting recidivism among a sample of incarcerated female youths. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2020; 71:101596. [PMID: 32768121 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2020.101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Only a few studies have prospectively examined the utility of self-reported measures of psychopathic traits in predicting criminal behavior among forensic samples of female youth offenders. The main aim of this study is to compare the utility of two self-report measures of psychopathic-like traits in predicting criminal recidivism among a sample of incarcerated female youths. Participants (N = 76) from the three nation-wide Portuguese juvenile detention centers that admit female youths were followed over two years and prospectively classified as recidivists versus non-recidivists. Logistic regression models controlling for crime frequency and ethnicity revealed that neither the Antisocial Process Screening Device - Self-Report (APSD-SR) nor the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) and their respective dimensions significantly predicted one- and two-year general recidivism and violent recidivism. Findings mostly suggest there are clear limitations in terms of the incremental utility of self-report measures of psychopathic traits in predicting criminal recidivism among incarcerated female juveniles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pechorro
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, PsyAssessmentLab, Rua do Colégio Novo, Coimbra 3001-802, Portugal; Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC) University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, Coimbra 3001-802, Portugal.
| | - James V Ray
- University of Central Florida, Department of Criminal Justice, College of Health and Public Affairs, 12805 Pegasus Drive, Bldg. 80, Suite 311, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
| | - Isabel Alberto
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, PsyAssessmentLab, Rua do Colégio Novo, Coimbra 3001-802, Portugal.
| | - Mário R Simões
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, PsyAssessmentLab, Rua do Colégio Novo, Coimbra 3001-802, Portugal; Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC) University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, Coimbra 3001-802, Portugal.
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24
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Abnormal Cortical Activation in Visual Attention Processing in Sub-Clinical Psychopathic Traits and Traumatic Brain Injury: Evidence from an fNIRS Study. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-020-09808-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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25
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Salatino AC, Tangney JP, Stuewig JB, Chrosniak LD. Are Borderline Personality Symptoms and Psychopathy Differentially Related to Drinking Motives of Former Jail Inmates? J Pers Disord 2019; 33:776-791. [PMID: 30355022 DOI: 10.1521/pedi_2018_32_377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed whether psychopathy and borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms are differentially related to three drinking motives: coping, enhancement, and social. Participants were 170 inmates (74% male) initially held on felony charges in a suburban jail. The Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV; Hart, Cox, & Hare, 1995) and Borderline Features scale of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991) were administered at the outset of incarceration. In a follow-up interview 4 to 6 years postincarceration, participants completed the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ; Cooper, Russell, Skinner, & Windle, 1992) assessing drinking motives. Controlling for drinking frequency, when compared to Factor 1 psychopathy, BPD symptoms had a stronger positive relationship with coping and enhancement drinking motives. No difference was observed for social motives for drinking. Individuals high in BPD symptoms may benefit from therapy emphasizing adaptive coping mechanisms and alternative means of seeking positive emotional states.
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26
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Pechorro P, Seto MC, Ray JV, Alberto I, Simões MR. A Prospective Study on Self-Reported Psychopathy and Criminal Recidivism Among Incarcerated Male Juvenile Offenders. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2019; 63:2383-2405. [PMID: 31130026 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x19849569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The present study examines the utility of three self-report measures of psychopathic traits in predicting recidivism among a sample of incarcerated male juvenile offenders. Participants (N = 214, M = 16.40 years, SD = 1.29 years) from seven Portuguese juvenile detention centers were followed and prospectively classified as recidivists versus non-recidivists. Area under the curve (AUC) analysis revealed that the Antisocial Process Screening Device-Self-Report (APSD-SR) presented the best performance in terms of predicting general recidivism, with the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) and the Childhood and Adolescent Taxon Scale-Self-Report (CATS-SR) presenting much poorer results. However, logistic regression models controlling for past frequency of crimes and age of first incarceration found that none of these self-report measures significantly predicted 1- or 3-year recidivism, whether general or violent. Findings suggest there are limitations in terms of the incremental utility of self-report measures of psychopathic traits in predicting recidivism among juveniles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James V Ray
- 3 University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA
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27
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Emotional bias varies with stimulus type, arousal and task setting: Meta-analytic evidences. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:461-472. [PMID: 31557549 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Emotional bias, which describes human's asymmetric processing of emotional stimuli, consists of negativity bias (Increased response to negative over positive stimuli) and positivity offset (the reversed phenomenon). Previous studies suggest that stimulus arousal (high/low), stimulus type (scenic/verbal), cultural background (Eastern/Western), and task setting (explicit/implicit) may modulate emotional bias, but with inconclusive findings. To address how the profile of emotional bias varies with these factors, a meta-analysis of emotional P3 event-related potential amplitudes was performed. Forty-nine effect sizes from 38 studies involving 1263 subjects were calculated using Hedges'g. The results highlight significant moderators of arousal, stimulus type, and task setting. Specifically, high-arousal stimuli enhance negativity bias relative to low-arousal stimuli; scenic stimulus leads to a negativity bias while verbal stimulus is linked with a positivity offset; explicit emotion tasks lead to negativity bias, whereas implicit emotion tasks do not exhibit emotional bias. These results indicate that emotional bias is labile depending on stimulus arousal, stimulus type and task setting. The implication of these findings for emotion regulation is discussed.
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28
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Kimonis ER, Graham N, Cauffman E. Aggressive Male Juvenile Offenders with Callous-Unemotional Traits Show Aberrant Attentional Orienting to Distress Cues. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 46:519-527. [PMID: 28374219 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-017-0295-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Antisocial youth with callous-unemotional (CU) traits exhibit a pattern of severe and persistent conduct problems and deficits in emotional processing that parallels adults with psychopathy. Aberrant emotional attention, particularly among individuals high on aggression, constitutes one such deficit; however, its robustness across race/ethnicity requires further investigation given findings that the psychopathy construct manifests differently across race (Sullivan and Kosson 2006), and emotional attention is susceptible to the influence of adverse environmental factors such as violence exposure that is more common among ethnic minority youth (Kimonis et al. in Development and Psychopathology, 20, 569-589, 2008b). Also, the development of a comprehensive measure of CU traits, the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU), has identified specific CU dimensions (Uncaring, Callous, Unemotional) that are yet to be investigated in relation to emotional attention deficits. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine whether aggressive boys high on total CU traits and specific ICU dimensions show deficits in attentional orienting to negative stimuli on a dot-probe task that are consistent across race/ethnicity. Results from a predominately Latino sample of incarcerated male adolescents (N = 156) showed that aggression moderated the association between CU traits and facilitation to distress stimuli. That is, aggressive boys high on CU traits or the Uncaring dimension showed deficient attentional orienting; a finding that was consistent across racial/ethnic minority groups. Results are consistent with prior research suggesting that the combination of high CU traits and aggression defines a unique subgroup of antisocial individuals that more closely fits with the construct of psychopathy than the presence of CU traits alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva R Kimonis
- School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Nicole Graham
- City University of New York - John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Cauffman
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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29
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Traynham S, Kelley AM, Long CP, Britt TW. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Criminal Behavior in U.S. Army Populations: The Mediating Role of Psychopathy and Suicidal Ideation. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.5406/amerjpsyc.132.1.0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Whereas past research has demonstrated the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and criminal behavior, the present study examines the underlying mechanisms driving this association. The primary objective was to determine the role of psychopathy and suicidal ideation as mediating factors in the relationship between military PTSD symptoms and criminal behavior (defined as incarceration status). A correlational study using archival data from the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) and a control population of U.S. Army soldiers was conducted. The USDB provided data from 310 incarcerated male U.S. Army soldiers. Data were also collected from 310 nonincarcerated, male U.S. Army soldiers in the greater Fort Rucker, Alabama area. Data validity checks eliminated some cases, thus yielding a final dataset of 246 USDB and 252 control participants. The results suggested partial mediation, in that PTSD symptoms had a direct effect on incarceration status, and significant indirect effects through suicidal ideation and psychopathy while controlling for intelligence and warmth. In furnishing evidence of how psychopathy and suicidal ideation mediate the relationship between PTSD and incarceration status in military personnel, this research highlights specific internalization and externalization mechanisms that may increase the tendencies of people with greater PTSD symptoms to engage in criminal behaviors. By adding to the small amount of prior research on why PTSD sometimes leads people to engage in criminal behaviors, our research provides specific, observable symptoms that clinicians may use to identify, treat, and possibly ameliorate facets of PTSD that can lead affected people to engage in criminal behaviors.
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Souroulla AV, Panteli M, Robinson JD, Panayiotou G. Valence, arousal or both? Shared emotional deficits associated with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional/Defiant-Conduct Disorder symptoms in school-aged youth. Biol Psychol 2018; 140:131-140. [PMID: 30529288 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We examined emotional responses in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Oppositional Defiant/Conduct Disorder to affective pictures. Eighty seven children (42 female, Mage = 11.2), with clinical or subclinical symptoms and controls viewed joy, fear, sadness or neutral pictures while heart rate, skin conductance, corrugator and zygomaticus responses were recorded. The moderating role of Callous-Unemotional and anxiety traits was evaluated. Lower resting heart rate and decreased skin conductance across picture types was associated with ADHD symptoms. Decreased heart rate reactivity to fear and sad stimuli was associated with ADHD and ODD/CD. Corrugator and zygomaticus responses were not associated with ADHD or ODD/CD. Findings are mostly consistent with a fearlessness account of disruptive behavior, and seem to also pertain to ADHD, with intact valence systems. Findings are discussed in light of the significance of identifying common pathogenic mechanisms across traditional diagnostic categories, consistent with trans-diagnostic approaches to the study of psychopathology.
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Abstract
Studies on antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) subjects focus on brain functional alterations in relation to antisocial behaviors. Neuroimaging research has identified a number of focal brain regions with abnormal structures or functions in ASPD. However, little is known about the connections among brain regions in terms of inter-regional whole-brain networks in ASPD patients, as well as possible alterations of brain functional topological organization. In this study, we employ resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) to examine functional connectome of 32 ASPD patients and 35 normal controls by using a variety of network properties, including small-worldness, modularity, and connectivity. The small-world analysis reveals that ASPD patients have increased path length and decreased network efficiency, which implies a reduced ability of global integration of whole-brain functions. Modularity analysis suggests ASPD patients have decreased overall modularity, merged network modules, and reduced intra- and inter-module connectivities related to frontal regions. Also, network-based statistics show that an internal sub-network, composed of 16 nodes and 16 edges, is significantly affected in ASPD patients, where brain regions are mostly located in the fronto-parietal control network. These results suggest that ASPD is associated with both reduced brain integration and segregation in topological organization of functional brain networks, particularly in the fronto-parietal control network. These disruptions may contribute to disturbances in behavior and cognition in patients with ASPD. Our findings may provide insights into a deeper understanding of functional brain networks of ASPD.
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Durand G. Influence of allelic variations in relation to norepinephrine and mineralocorticoid receptors on psychopathic traits: a pilot study. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4528. [PMID: 29576985 PMCID: PMC5863705 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Past findings support a relationship between abnormalities in the amygdala and the presence of psychopathic traits. Among other genes and biomarkers relevant to the amygdala, norepinephrine and mineralocorticoid receptors might both play a role in psychopathy due to their association with traits peripheral to psychopathy. The purpose is to examine if allelic variations in single nucleotide polymorphisms related to norepinephrine and mineralocorticoid receptors play a role in the display of psychopathic traits and executive functions.
Methods
Fifty-seven healthy participants from the community provided a saliva sample for SNP sampling of rs5522 and rs5569. Participants then completed the Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Short Form (PPI-SF) and the Tower of Hanoi.
Results
Allelic variations of both rs5522 and rs5569 were significant when compared to PPI-SF total score and the fearless dominance component of the PPI-SF. A significant result was also obtained between rs5522 and the number of moves needed to complete the 5-disk Tower of Hanoi.
Conclusion
This pilot study offers preliminary results regarding the effect of allelic variations in SNPs related to norepinephrine and mineralocorticoid receptors on the presence of psychopathic traits. Suggestions are provided to enhance the reliability and validity of a larger-scale study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Durand
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht, Netherlands
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Comparing the response modulation hypothesis and the integrated emotions system theory: The role of top-down attention in psychopathy. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Reidy DE, Krusemark E, Kosson DS, Kearns MC, Smith-Darden J, Kiehl KA. The Development of Severe and Chronic Violence Among Youth: The Role of Psychopathic Traits and Reward Processing. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2017; 48:967-982. [PMID: 28315981 PMCID: PMC5860650 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-017-0720-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Psychopathic traits are a manifestation of a personality pathology that comprises a core affective-interpersonal dysfunction (callous-unemotional traits) and an impulsive-antisocial behavioral component. Of particular importance, psychopathic traits are associated with the perpetration of some of the most severe acts of violence, and they appear to indicate a subset of youth at risk for earlier onset, greater frequency, and persistence of violent offending. Although these youth represent a minority of the population, they commit a significant proportion of the violence in the general community. In our review, we highlight evidence of a unique neurobiological predisposition that underlies the core affective deficits and describe contemporary accounts for the developmental processes leading to the antisocial behavior associated with psychopathy. Current evidence suggests that, for this subset of youth, the structure and function of neural circuitry supporting emotion processing, reward learning, decision making, and the development of emotion related to empathy may be crucial to understanding why they are at risk for violence. In particular, a reward dominant pattern of neurobehavioral conditioning may explain how these youth progress to some of the most severe and persistent forms of violence. However, this pattern of conditioning may also be essential to the primary prevention of such deleterious behavior. We suspect that effective strategies to prevent such violence may ultimately be informed by understanding these affective and motivational mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis E Reidy
- Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Krusemark
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David S Kosson
- Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Megan C Kearns
- Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Kent A Kiehl
- Departments of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- The Nonprofit Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Roitblat Y, Cleminson R, Kavin A, Schonberger E, Shterenshis M. Assessment of anxiety in adolescents involved in a study abroad program: a prospective study. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2017; 32:/j/ijamh.ahead-of-print/ijamh-2017-0101/ijamh-2017-0101.xml. [PMID: 29168962 DOI: 10.1515/ijamh-2017-0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to measure the effects on levels of anxiety in healthy teenagers caused by a temporary change of country and school during a study abroad program. Methods In a prospective study we gathered the data from six anxiety level related tests on high school participants in a study abroad program (age 15-17, n = 364, M 172, F 192). These volunteer participants were divided into two separate groups: with self-reported elevated levels of anxiety (n = 111; YES-group) and with self-reported normal levels of anxiety (n = 253; NO-group). Two control groups of schoolchildren drawn from two local schools were used for comparison (n = 100 each). Three tests were subjective, i.e. self-fill-out tests. The next three tests were objective psychological or neurophysiological tests designed to estimate reflex control, concentration and a feeling for the passage of time. Results The initial mean anxiety level score among the 364 participants was 41.5 ± 16.7 (min 16, max 80) on 5-110 scale. For the YES-group the score was 56.5 ± 15.9, and for the NO-group the score was 34.7 ± 17.4 (p = 0.05). The retesting after they had been in the same place for 7 weeks revealed that the mean anxiety level score of the participants decreased to 37.4 ± 16.9 (min 15, max 72). For the YES-group the score significantly decreased to 39.3 ± 15.5, and for the NO-group the score slightly elevated to 36.7 ± 16.4 producing similar results for both groups (p = 0.81). Conclusion A temporary change of country and school at first results in a rise in anxiety levels in about one third of participants. However, after an extended stay it falls to normal levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Roitblat
- Department of Sciences, Yohana Jabotinsky Youth Town for Sciences and Arts Six Year Comprehensive School, Beer Yakov, Israel
| | - Ryan Cleminson
- Department of Psychology, Mount Moriah College, Sydney, Australia
| | - Aaron Kavin
- Department of Psychology, Mount Moriah College, Sydney, Australia
| | - Edan Schonberger
- Department of Psychology, Mount Moriah College, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Shterenshis
- Department of Sciences, Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) affiliated to Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education (AMIIE), Hod HaSharon, Israel.,AMHSI, 8/6 Shivat Zion Street, Rishon LeZion 7534141, Israel, Phone: 97254-337-9865
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Aghajani M, Klapwijk ET, van der Wee NJ, Veer IM, Rombouts SARB, Boon AE, van Beelen P, Popma A, Vermeiren RRJM, Colins OF. Disorganized Amygdala Networks in Conduct-Disordered Juvenile Offenders With Callous-Unemotional Traits. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 82:283-293. [PMID: 27502216 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The developmental trajectory of psychopathy seemingly begins early in life and includes the presence of callous-unemotional (CU) traits (e.g., deficient emotional reactivity, callousness) in conduct-disordered (CD) youth. Though subregion-specific anomalies in amygdala function have been suggested in CU pathophysiology among antisocial populations, system-level studies of CU traits have typically examined the amygdala as a unitary structure. Hence, nothing is yet known of how amygdala subregional network function may contribute to callous-unemotionality in severely antisocial people. METHODS We addressed this important issue by uniquely examining the intrinsic functional connectivity of basolateral amygdala (BLA) and centromedial amygdala (CMA) networks across three matched groups of juveniles: CD offenders with CU traits (CD/CU+; n = 25), CD offenders without CU traits (CD/CU-; n = 25), and healthy control subjects (n = 24). We additionally examined whether perturbed amygdala subregional connectivity coincides with altered volume and shape of the amygdaloid complex. RESULTS Relative to CD/CU- and healthy control youths, CD/CU+ youths showed abnormally increased BLA connectivity with a cluster that included both dorsal and ventral portions of the anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortices, along with posterior cingulate, sensory associative, and striatal regions. In contrast, compared with CD/CU- and healthy control youths, CD/CU+ youths showed diminished CMA connectivity with ventromedial/orbitofrontal regions. Critically, these connectivity changes coincided with local hypotrophy of BLA and CMA subregions (without being statistically correlated) and were associated to more severe CU symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide unique insights into a putative mechanism for perturbed attention-emotion interactions, which could bias salience processing and associative learning in youth with CD/CU+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moji Aghajani
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden.
| | - Eduard T Klapwijk
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden
| | - Nic J van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden
| | - Ilya M Veer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Mind and Brain Research, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Serge A R B Rombouts
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden
| | - Albert E Boon
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; Lucertis Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Rotterdam
| | - Peter van Beelen
- Forensic Psychiatry Unit Het Palmhuis, De Jutters Institute for Mental Health Care, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Arne Popma
- Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, Leiden University, Leiden; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam
| | - Robert R J M Vermeiren
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden
| | - Olivier F Colins
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden
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Tye C, Bedford R, Asherson P, Ashwood KL, Azadi B, Bolton P, McLoughlin G. Callous-unemotional traits moderate executive function in children with ASD and ADHD: A pilot event-related potential study. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2017; 26:84-90. [PMID: 28654838 PMCID: PMC5569583 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with ASD and ADHD show varied and heterogeneous executive function (EF) profiles. Typical or enhanced EF has been demonstrated in individuals with callous-unemotional (CU) traits. We investigated the effect of CU traits on event-related potential (ERP) responses during a cued continuous performance test (CPT-OX) in children with ASD, ADHD and co-occurring ASD + ADHD. Children with ASD and high CU traits showed better conflict monitoring compared to children with ASD and low CU traits. Increased CU traits may be associated with cognitive strengths in children with ASD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are associated with varied executive function (EF) difficulties. Callous-unemotional (CU) traits, a proposed antecedent of adult psychopathy, are often associated with intact or enhanced EF. Here we test whether CU traits may therefore modulate EF in ASD and ADHD, in which EF is typically impaired. We collected CU traits and measured event-related potentials (ERPs) that index EF during a cued-continuous performance test (CPT-OX) in boys with ASD, ADHD, comorbid ASD + ADHD and typical controls. We examined attentional orienting at cues (Cue-P3), inhibitory processing at non-targets (NoGo-P3) and conflict monitoring between target and non-target trials (Go-N2 vs. NoGo-N2). In children with ASD, higher CU traits were associated with an enhanced increase in N2 amplitude in NoGo trials compared to Go trials, which suggests relatively superior conflict monitoring and a potential cognitive strength associated with CU traits. The results emphasise the importance of considering the effects of co-occurring traits in the assessment of heterogeneity of EF profiles in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tye
- King's College London, MRC SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom; King's College London, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom.
| | - R Bedford
- King's College London, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom
| | - P Asherson
- King's College London, MRC SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom
| | - K L Ashwood
- King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom
| | - B Azadi
- King's College London, MRC SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom
| | - P Bolton
- King's College London, MRC SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom; King's College London, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom
| | - G McLoughlin
- King's College London, MRC SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, United Kingdom
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Anderson NE, Steele VR, Maurer JM, Rao V, Koenigs MR, Decety J, Kosson DS, Calhoun VD, Kiehl KA. Differentiating emotional processing and attention in psychopathy with functional neuroimaging. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2017; 17:491-515. [PMID: 28092055 PMCID: PMC5404945 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-016-0493-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with psychopathy are often characterized by emotional processing deficits, and recent research has examined the specific contexts and cognitive mechanisms that underlie these abnormalities. Some evidence suggests that abnormal features of attention are fundamental to emotional deficits in persons with psychopathy, but few studies have demonstrated the neural underpinnings responsible for such effects. Here, we use functional neuroimaging to examine attention-emotion interactions among incarcerated individuals (n = 120) evaluated for psychopathic traits using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Using a task designed to manipulate attention to emotional features of visual stimuli, we demonstrate effects representing implicit emotional processing, explicit emotional processing, attention-facilitated emotional processing, and vigilance for emotional content. Results confirm the importance of considering mechanisms of attention when evaluating emotional processing differences related to psychopathic traits. The affective-interpersonal features of psychopathy (PCL-R Factor 1) were associated with relatively lower emotion-dependent augmentation of activity in visual processing areas during implicit emotional processing, while antisocial-lifestyle features (PCL-R Factor 2) were associated with elevated activity in the amygdala and related salience network regions. During explicit emotional processing, psychopathic traits were associated with upregulation in the medial prefrontal cortex, insula, and superior frontal regions. Isolating the impact of explicit attention to emotional content, only Factor 1 was related to upregulation of activity in the visual processing stream, which was accompanied by increased activity in the angular gyrus. These effects highlight some important mechanisms underlying abnormal features of attention and emotional processing that accompany psychopathic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel E Anderson
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), 1101 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA.
| | - Vaughn R Steele
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute of Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Michael Maurer
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), 1101 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Vikram Rao
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), 1101 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | | | | | - David S Kosson
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Vince D Calhoun
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), 1101 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kent A Kiehl
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), 1101 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Reduced White Matter Integrity in Antisocial Personality Disorder: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43002. [PMID: 28223713 PMCID: PMC5320449 DOI: 10.1038/srep43002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging neuroimaging research suggests that antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) may be linked to abnormal brain anatomy, but little is known about possible impairments of white matter microstructure in ASPD, as well as their relationship with impulsivity or risky behaviors. In this study, we systematically investigated white matter abnormalities of ASPD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures: fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD). Then, we further investigated their correlations with the scores of impulsivity or risky behaviors. ASPD patients showed decreased FA in multiple major white matter fiber bundles, which connect the fronto-parietal control network and the fronto-temporal network. We also found AD/RD deficits in some additional white matter tracts that were not detected by FA. More interestingly, several regions were found correlated with impulsivity or risky behaviors in AD and RD values, although not in FA values, including the splenium of corpus callosum, left posterior corona radiate/posterior thalamic radiate, right superior longitudinal fasciculus, and left inferior longitudinal fasciculus. These regions can be the potential biomarkers, which would be of great interest in further understanding the pathomechanism of ASPD.
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Woodfield R, Dhingra K, Boduszek D, Debowska A. Facets of psychopathy in relation to trauma-exposure and posttraumatic stress symptomology in a sample of incarcerated male offenders. Int J Prison Health 2016; 12:244-252. [PMID: 27921637 DOI: 10.1108/ijph-06-2016-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of psychopathy facets on the relationship between traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology. Design/methodology/approach Participants were male prisoners incarcerated in the UK. Findings The analysis revealed differential associations between the two facets of psychopathy, with potentially traumatic events and symptoms of PTSD. Specifically, neither primary psychopathy nor trauma exposure were significantly related to PTSD, while secondary psychopathy was positively and significantly related with PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, the effect of trauma exposure on PTSD was found to depend on the level of secondary psychopathy. More specifically, trauma exposure was strongly and positively associated with PTSD symptoms for low levels of secondary psychopathy and negatively associated with PTSD symptomology for individuals with high levels of secondary psychopathy. Originality/value The findings clarify linkages among psychopathy facets, trauma, and PTSD, and extend the understanding of the presentation of PTSD in male prisoners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Woodfield
- Department of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield , Huddersfield, UK
| | - Katie Dhingra
- Department of Criminology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University , Leeds, UK
| | - Daniel Boduszek
- Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Huddersfield , Huddersfield, UK
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Aghajani M, Colins OF, Klapwijk ET, Veer IM, Andershed H, Popma A, van der Wee NJ, Vermeiren RRJM. Dissociable relations between amygdala subregional networks and psychopathy trait dimensions in conduct-disordered juvenile offenders. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 37:4017-4033. [PMID: 27453465 PMCID: PMC5129576 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychopathy is a serious psychiatric phenomenon characterized by a pathological constellation of affective (e.g., callous, unemotional), interpersonal (e.g., manipulative, egocentric), and behavioral (e.g., impulsive, irresponsible) personality traits. Though amygdala subregional defects are suggested in psychopathy, the functionality and connectivity of different amygdala subnuclei is typically disregarded in neurocircuit-level analyses of psychopathic personality. Hence, little is known of how amygdala subregional networks may contribute to psychopathy and its underlying trait assemblies in severely antisocial people. We addressed this important issue by uniquely examining the intrinsic functional connectivity of basolateral (BLA) and centromedial (CMA) amygdala networks in relation to affective, interpersonal, and behavioral traits of psychopathy, in conduct-disordered juveniles with a history of serious delinquency (N = 50, mean age = 16.83 ± 1.32). As predicted, amygdalar connectivity profiles exhibited dissociable relations with different traits of psychopathy. Interpersonal psychopathic traits not only related to increased connectivity of BLA and CMA with a corticostriatal network formation accommodating reward processing, but also predicted stronger CMA connectivity with a network of cortical midline structures supporting sociocognitive processes. In contrast, affective psychopathic traits related to diminished CMA connectivity with a frontolimbic network serving salience processing and affective responding. Finally, behavioral psychopathic traits related to heightened BLA connectivity with a frontoparietal cluster implicated in regulatory executive functioning. We suggest that these trait-specific shifts in amygdalar connectivity could be particularly relevant to the psychopathic phenotype, as they may fuel a self-centered, emotionally cold, and behaviorally disinhibited profile. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4017-4033, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moji Aghajani
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, the Netherlands.
- Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Olivier F Colins
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, the Netherlands
- School of Law, Psychology, and Social Work, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden
| | - Eduard T Klapwijk
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ilya M Veer
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrik Andershed
- School of Law, Psychology, and Social Work, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden
| | - Arne Popma
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Law, Leiden University, Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nic J van der Wee
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Robert R J M Vermeiren
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden, the Netherlands
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Krusemark EA, Kiehl KA, Newman JP. Endogenous attention modulates early selective attention in psychopathy: An ERP investigation. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 16:779-88. [PMID: 27225501 PMCID: PMC6135064 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-016-0430-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Psychopathic individuals are prone to act on urges without adequate consideration of future consequences or the rights of other individuals. One interpretation of this behavior is that it reflects abnormal selective attention (i.e., a failure to process information that is incongruent with their primary focus of attention; Hiatt, Schmitt, & Newman, Neuropsychology, 18, 50-59, 2004). Unfortunately, it is unclear whether this selective attention abnormality reflects top-down endogenous influences, such as the strength or specificity of attention focus (i.e., top-down set) apart from other, more exogenous (bottom-up), effects on attention. To explore this question, we used an early visual event-related potential (N2pc) in combination with a modified visual search task designed to assess the effect of early endogenous (i.e., top-down) attention on the processing of set-congruent information. The task was administered to a sample of 70 incarcerated adult males, who were assigned to high, intermediate, and low psychopathy groups using Hare's Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Hare, 2003). Based on the assumption that their failure to process set-incongruent information reflects the exaggerated effects of endogenous attention, we predicted that participants with high psychopathy scores would show an exaggerated N2pc response to set-congruent information. The results supported the hypothesis and provide novel electrophysiological evidence that psychopathy is associated with exaggerated endogenous attention effects during early stages of processing. Further research is needed to examine the implications of this finding for the well-established failure of psychopathic individuals to process set-incongruent information and inhibit inappropriate responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Krusemark
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Mind Research Network, an affiliate of Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - Kent A Kiehl
- Mind Research Network, an affiliate of Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience and Law, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Joseph P Newman
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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Del Casale A, Kotzalidis GD, Rapinesi C, Di Pietro S, Alessi MC, Di Cesare G, Criscuolo S, De Rossi P, Tatarelli R, Girardi P, Ferracuti S. Functional Neuroimaging in Psychopathy. Neuropsychobiology 2016; 72:97-117. [PMID: 26560748 DOI: 10.1159/000441189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Psychopathy is associated with cognitive and affective deficits causing disruptive, harmful and selfish behaviour. These have considerable societal costs due to recurrent crime and property damage. A better understanding of the neurobiological bases of psychopathy could improve therapeutic interventions, reducing the related social costs. To analyse the major functional neural correlates of psychopathy, we reviewed functional neuroimaging studies conducted on persons with this condition. METHODS We searched the PubMed database for papers dealing with functional neuroimaging and psychopathy, with a specific focus on how neural functional changes may correlate with task performances and human behaviour. RESULTS Psychopathy-related behavioural disorders consistently correlated with dysfunctions in brain areas of the orbitofrontal-limbic (emotional processing and somatic reaction to emotions; behavioural planning and responsibility taking), anterior cingulate-orbitofrontal (correct assignment of emotional valence to social stimuli; violent/aggressive behaviour and challenging attitude) and prefrontal-temporal-limbic (emotional stimuli processing/response) networks. Dysfunctional areas more consistently included the inferior frontal, orbitofrontal, dorsolateral prefrontal, ventromedial prefrontal, temporal (mainly the superior temporal sulcus) and cingulated cortices, the insula, amygdala, ventral striatum and other basal ganglia. CONCLUSIONS Emotional processing and learning, and several social and affective decision-making functions are impaired in psychopathy, which correlates with specific changes in neural functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Del Casale
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, and Unit of Psychiatry, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
This study examined associations between childhood callous-unemotional (CU) traits and cognitive control using a conflict adaptation paradigm. Participants were (N = 158) children aged 9 to 12 years (M = 10.42, SD = 1.05; 57 % boys), who completed a modified color-word Stroop task. CU traits and conduct problems were indexed via self-reports on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits. CU traits were found to be uniquely associated with reduced conflict adaptation, however, this significant association was specific to boys. Conversely, conduct problems were associated with increased conflict adaptation, but among girls only. These findings contribute to evidence of atypical goal directed behavior in boys with CU traits by providing preliminary evidence that the specific impairments in cognitive control that characterize these boys include those concerning dynamic adjustments in cognitive control. Findings are discussed in relation to accounts of childhood CU traits based on the Response Modulation hypothesis.
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Tavares TP, Logie K, Mitchell DGV. Opposing effects of perceptual versus working memory load on emotional distraction. Exp Brain Res 2016; 234:2945-56. [PMID: 27329606 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-016-4697-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Throughout our day-to-day activities, we are subjected to numerous stimuli that compete for our attention; consequently, we must prioritize stimuli for further processing and influence over behaviour. Previous research has demonstrated that the extent to which task-irrelevant distractors are processed is mediated by the nature of the cognitive task, and the level of processing load. Importantly though, the interaction between cognitive task, processing load, and emotional distractor processing remains unclear. This is a particularly important question given the unique ways that emotion interacts with attention, and the fact that some other forms of processing load have been shown to reduce emotional distractor encoding. In the present study, participants were presented with emotional distractors during a perceptual and working memory task, under varying levels of load. In Experiment 1, we showed that the impact of emotional distractors on behaviour was reduced under conditions of high relative to low perceptual load. However, in sharp contrast, high working memory load was associated with increased emotional distraction. Importantly, these results were replicated in Experiment 2. Overall, the impact of processing load on emotional distraction varies according to the cognitive function being performed. These results raise the intriguing possibility that working memory operations deplete some of the cognitive resources needed to control the impact of emotion on behaviour. The findings, therefore, may have important implications for clinical populations featuring cognitive dysfunction and emotional dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara P Tavares
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- The Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Kyle Logie
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Derek G V Mitchell
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
- The Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada.
- Departments of Psychiatry, Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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Messina I, Bianco F, Cusinato M, Calvo V, Sambin M. Abnormal Default System Functioning in Depression: Implications for Emotion Regulation. Front Psychol 2016; 7:858. [PMID: 27375536 PMCID: PMC4901076 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is widely seen as the result of difficulties in regulating emotions. Based on neuroimaging studies on voluntary emotion regulation, neurobiological models have focused on the concept of cognitive control, considering emotion regulation as a shift toward involving controlled processes associated with activation of the prefrontal and parietal executive areas, instead of responding automatically to emotional stimuli. According to such models, the weaker executive area activation observed in depressed patients is attributable to a lack of cognitive control over negative emotions. Going beyond the concept of cognitive control, psychodynamic models describe the development of individuals’ capacity to regulate their emotional states in mother-infant interactions during childhood, through the construction of the representation of the self, others, and relationships. In this mini-review, we link these psychodynamic models with recent findings regarding the abnormal functioning of the default system in depression. Consistently with psychodynamic models, psychological functions associated with the default system include self-related processing, semantic processes, and implicit forms of emotion regulation. The abnormal activation of the default system observed in depression may explain the dysfunctional aspects of emotion regulation typical of the condition, such as an exaggerated negative self-focus and rumination on self-esteem issues. We also discuss the clinical implications of these findings with reference to the therapeutic relationship as a key tool for revisiting impaired or distorted representations of the self and relational objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Messina
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy
| | - Francesca Bianco
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Cusinato
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Calvo
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Sambin
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy
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The Effect of Task-Irrelevant Fearful-Face Distractor on Working Memory Processing in Mild Cognitive Impairment versus Healthy Controls: An Exploratory fMRI Study in Female Participants. Behav Neurol 2016; 2016:1637392. [PMID: 26949290 PMCID: PMC4753321 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1637392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Revised: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a risk state for Alzheimer's disease, patients have objective cognitive deficits with relatively preserved functioning. fMRI studies have identified anomalies during working memory (WM) processing in individuals with MCI. The effect of task-irrelevant emotional face distractor on WM processing in MCI remains unclear. We aim to explore the impact of fearful-face task-irrelevant distractor on WM processing in MCI using fMRI. Hypothesis. Compared to healthy controls (HC), MCI patients will show significantly higher BOLD signal in a priori identified regions of interest (ROIs) during a WM task with a task-irrelevant emotional face distractor. Methods. 9 right-handed female participants with MCI and 12 matched HC performed a WM task with standardized task-irrelevant fearful versus neutral face distractors randomized and counterbalanced across WM trials. MRI images were acquired during the WM task and BOLD signal was analyzed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) to identify signal patterns during the task response phase. Results. Task-irrelevant fearful-face distractor resulted in higher activation in the amygdala, anterior cingulate, and frontal areas, in MCI participants compared to HC. Conclusions. This exploratory study suggests altered WM processing as a result of fearful-face distractor in MCI.
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Baskin-Sommers AR, Baskin D. Psychopathic Traits Mediate the Relationship Between Exposure to Violence and Violent Juvenile Offending. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-016-9535-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Krakowski MI, Foxe J, de Sanctis P, Nolan K, Hoptman MJ, Shope C, Kamiel S, Czobor P. Aberrant response inhibition and task switching in psychopathic individuals. Psychiatry Res 2015; 229:1017-23. [PMID: 26257091 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Deficits in cognitive control have been considered a core dysfunction of psychopathy, responsible for disrupted self-control. We investigated cognitive control impairments, including difficulties with task switching, failure of response inhibition, and inability to adjust speed of responding. Participants included 16 subjects with psychopathic traits (Ps), and 22 healthy controls (HCs). We recorded behavioral responses during a Task Switching paradigm, a probe of flexible behavioral adaptation to changing contexts; and a Go/NoGo Task, which assesses response inhibition and indexes behavioral impulsivity. During task switching, Ps evidenced impairments shifting set when conflicting (incongruent) information was presented, but performed as well as HCs in the absence of such conflict. In addition, when they encountered these difficulties, they failed to adjust their speed of responding. Ps presented also with deficits in response inhibition, with many commission errors on the Go/NoGo Task. This study identified impairments in response inhibition and in set shifting in psychopathic individuals. When shifting set, they evidenced difficulties refocusing on a new task when it was incongruent with the previous task. These deficits interfere with regulation of ongoing behavior and disrupt self-regulation. Our findings suggest abnormal neural processing during suppression of inappropriate responses in psychopathic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menahem I Krakowski
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - John Foxe
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosciences, Albert Einstein School of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Pierfilippo de Sanctis
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosciences, Albert Einstein School of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Karen Nolan
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J Hoptman
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Constance Shope
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Stephanie Kamiel
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Pal Czobor
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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