1
|
Plate RC, Jones C, Zhao S, Flum MW, Steinberg J, Daley G, Corbett N, Neumann C, Waller R. "But not the music": psychopathic traits and difficulties recognising and resonating with the emotion in music. Cogn Emot 2023; 37:748-762. [PMID: 37104122 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2023.2205105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Recognising and responding appropriately to emotions is critical to adaptive psychological functioning. Psychopathic traits (e.g. callous, manipulative, impulsive, antisocial) are related to differences in recognition and response when emotion is conveyed through facial expressions and language. Use of emotional music stimuli represents a promising approach to improve our understanding of the specific emotion processing difficulties underlying psychopathic traits because it decouples recognition of emotion from cues directly conveyed by other people (e.g. facial signals). In Experiment 1, participants listened to clips of emotional music and identified the emotional content (Sample 1, N = 196) or reported on their feelings elicited by the music (Sample 2, N = 197). Participants accurately recognised (t(195) = 32.78, p < .001, d = 4.69) and reported feelings consistent with (t(196) = 7.84, p < .001, d = 1.12) the emotion conveyed in the music. However, psychopathic traits were associated with reduced emotion recognition accuracy (F(1, 191) = 19.39, p < .001) and reduced likelihood of feeling the emotion (F(1, 193) = 35.45, p < .001), particularly for fearful music. In Experiment 2, we replicated findings for broad difficulties with emotion recognition (Sample 3, N = 179) and emotional resonance (Sample 4, N = 199) associated with psychopathic traits. Results offer new insight into emotion recognition and response difficulties that are associated with psychopathic traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R C Plate
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - C Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - S Zhao
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M W Flum
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Steinberg
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - G Daley
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - N Corbett
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - C Neumann
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - R Waller
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sennfelt D, Conus P, Elowe J. The impact of aversive personality traits on the psychotic-spectrum of disorders. Encephale 2022; 48:563-570. [DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2022.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
3
|
Pullman LE, Refaie N, Lalumière ML, Krupp DB. Is Psychopathy a Mental Disorder or an Adaptation? Evidence From a Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Psychopathy and Handedness. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 19:14747049211040447. [PMID: 34605282 PMCID: PMC10358405 DOI: 10.1177/14747049211040447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychopathy has historically been conceptualized as a mental disorder, but there is growing evidence that it may instead be an alternative, adaptive life history strategy designed by natural selection. Although the etiology of mental disorders is not fully understood, one likely contributor is perturbations affecting neurodevelopment. Nonright-handedness is a sign of such perturbations, and therefore can be used to test these competing models. If psychopathy is a mental disorder, psychopaths should show elevated rates of nonright-handedness. However, an adaptive strategy perspective expects psychopaths to be neurologically healthy and therefore predicts typical rates of nonright-handedness. We meta-analyzed 16 studies that investigated the association between psychopathy and handedness in various populations. There was no difference in the rates of nonright-handedness between community participants high and low in psychopathy. Furthermore, there was no difference between psychopathic and nonpsychopathic offenders in rates of nonright-handedness, though there was a tendency for offenders scoring higher on the Interpersonal/Affective dimension of psychopathy to have lower rates of nonright-handedness, and for offenders scoring higher on the Behavioral dimension of psychopathy to have higher rates of nonright-handedness. Lastly, there was no difference in rates of nonright-handedness between psychopathic and nonpsychopathic mental health patients. Thus, our results fail to support the mental disorder model and partly support the adaptive strategy model. We discuss limitations of the meta-analysis and implications for theories of the origins of psychopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lesleigh E. Pullman
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Nabhan Refaie
- Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E., Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Martin L. Lalumière
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - DB Krupp
- Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Lakehead University, 500 University Ave., Orillia, Ontario L3V 0B9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Brooks N, Fritzon K, Watt B. 'You can tell a victim by the tilt of her head as she walks': psychopathic personality and social-emotional processing. PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 2020; 27:538-557. [PMID: 33679197 PMCID: PMC7906111 DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2020.1734979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Much contention and speculation exists regarding the emotional and social skills associated with psychopathic personality, including the idea of a predatory perception. The current study examined the relationship between psychopathic personality and social and emotional processing. The study utilised a quasi-experimental design along with self-report measures to examine psychopathy in a community sample (N = 115) of males and females. To examine psychopathy and social information processing, a series of Mixed Design ANOVA's were conducted to examine the effect of psychopathy on character recall. Psychopathy was found to significantly predict recall of the unsuccessful character, however, did not predict recall of character gender or emotion. Two hierarchical regressions analyses were conducted to examine emotional intelligence and empathy. Psychopathy was found to be a significant negative predictor of empathy, however, did not significantly predict emotional intelligence. Implications for the current study lie within advancing the empirical understanding on psychopathic personality and victim vulnerability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Brooks
- School of Health, Medical, and Social Science, Central Queensland University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Katarina Fritzon
- Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia
| | - Bruce Watt
- Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rogers KH, Le MT, Buckels EE, Kim M, Biesanz JC. Dispositional malevolence and impression formation: Dark Tetrad associations with accuracy and positivity in first impressions. J Pers 2018; 86:1050-1064. [PMID: 29457846 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Dark Tetrad traits (subclinical psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and everyday sadism) have interpersonal consequences. At present, however, how these traits are associated with the accuracy and positivity of first impressions is not well understood. The present article addresses three primary questions. First, to what extent are perceiver levels of Dark Tetrad traits associated with differing levels of perceptive accuracy? Second, to what extent are target levels of Dark Tetrad traits associated with differing levels of expressive accuracy? Finally, to what extent can Dark Tetrad traits be differentiated when examining perceptions of and by others? METHOD In a round-robin design, undergraduate participants (N = 412) in small groups engaged in brief, naturalistic, unstructured dyadic interactions before providing impressions of their partner. RESULTS Dark Tetrad traits were associated with being viewed and viewing others less distinctively accurately and more negatively. CONCLUSIONS Interpersonal perceptions that included an individual scoring highly on one of the Dark Tetrad traits differed in important ways from interactions among individuals with more benevolent personalities. Notably, despite the similarities between the Dark Tetrad, traits had unique associations with interpersonal perceptions.
Collapse
|
6
|
Lewis M, Ireland JL, Abbott J, Ireland CA. Initial development of the Psychopathic Processing and Personality Assessment (PAPA) across populations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2017; 54:118-132. [PMID: 28668228 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Three studies describe development of the Psychopathic Processing and Personality Assessment (PAPA). Study one outlines a literature review and Expert Delphi (n=32) to develop the initial PAPA. Study two validates the PAPA with 431 participants (121 male prisoners and 310 university students: 154 men, 156 women), also using the Levenson Self Report Psychopathy scale and a measure of cognitive schema and affect. Study three refined the PAPA, employing it with 50 male students and 40 male forensic psychiatric patients using clinical (interview) assessments of psychopathy: the Psychopathy Checklist - Screening Version and the Affect, Cognitive and Lifestyle assessment. The PAPA comprised four factors; dissocial tendencies; emotional detachment; disregard for others; and lack of sensitivity to emotion. It positively correlated with existing psychopathy measures. Variations across PAPA subscales were noted across samples when associated with clinical measures of psychopathy. Support for the validity of the PAPA was indicated across samples. Directions for research and application are outlined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lewis
- School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Ashworth Research Centre, Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK
| | - Jane L Ireland
- School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Ashworth Research Centre, Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK.
| | - Janice Abbott
- School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Ashworth Research Centre, Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK
| | - Carol A Ireland
- School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Ashworth Research Centre, Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vyas K, Jameel L, Bellesi G, Crawford S, Channon S. Derailing the trolley: Everyday utilitarian judgments in groups high versus low in psychopathic traits or autistic traits. Psychiatry Res 2017; 250:84-91. [PMID: 28152398 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Moral decision-making has been linked with empathy. The present study built on previous work examining the relationship between psychopathy or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), two conditions putatively associated with deficits in empathy, and utilitarian decision-making. Students scoring high on self-report measures of psychopathic or autistic traits were presented with a novel task, 'Utilitarian Judgments', and compared to low trait control groups. This study replicated the classic finding that more direct links between the agents' actions and harm to victims mitigated utilitarian decision-making. It also found that participants made more utilitarian decisions when outcomes involved extreme physical versus everyday social harm. Enhanced utilitarian decision-making was not observed in those scoring high for either psychopathic or autistic traits, although both high trait groups reported that they would experience less discomfort than their low trait counterparts. Verbal reasoning differences were observed for the high autistic trait group, but not the high psychopathic trait group. The dilemmas that have been typically used to explore utilitarian decision-making describe extreme, hypothetical events involving physical or serious emotional harm. The present findings suggest that this might limit the generalisability of the existing literature and over-emphasise the tendency to make utilitarian decisions when considering everyday dilemmas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karishma Vyas
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Leila Jameel
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Bellesi
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Crawford
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shelley Channon
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vyas K, Jameel L, Channon S. The influence of subclinical psychopathic traits on responding to others' awkward requests. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2016; 21:228-41. [PMID: 27112215 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2016.1174681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Psychopathy is characterised by a postulated deficit in emotional empathy, with intact cognitive empathy. Although studies have examined performance on laboratory tasks within incarcerated populations, there is a paucity of work exploring how subclinical psychopathic traits translate into everyday social interactions. METHODS The present study investigated this by screening 502 university students with the Psychopathic Personality Inventory and comparing 20 high-scoring (10F; mean age = 19.85 years) and 19 low-scoring (15F; mean age = 21.00 years) participants on their responses to the Social Strategy Task. This comprises social scenarios that each end with an awkward request posed by the main character. Participants provided verbal responses and rated the awkwardness of each situation. Verbal responses were classified into positive or negative social strategies, denoting the extent of compliance with requests. RESULTS The groups were compared using analysis of variance and t-tests. The high psychopathic trait group used fewer positive social strategies than the low group was less polite in emotional tone and perceived situations as less awkward. CONCLUSIONS The findings are considered in relation to the postulated dissociation between intact cognitive empathy and impaired emotional empathy. The potential implications for clinical interventions are briefly discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karishma Vyas
- a Department of Experimental Psychology , University College London , London , UK
| | - Leila Jameel
- a Department of Experimental Psychology , University College London , London , UK
| | - Shelley Channon
- a Department of Experimental Psychology , University College London , London , UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
de Almeida Brites J, Ladera V, Perea V, García R. Verbal Functions in Psychopathy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2015; 59:1536-1549. [PMID: 25090993 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x14545608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the verbal functions and language skills of male psychopathic individuals (in prison and outside) with non-psychopaths. The purpose was therefore to analyze phonological processing, reading and writing skills, the meaning of words and images, and the understanding of sentences. Ninety individuals with an average age of 38.19 (SD = 7.67) voluntarily participated in this study. The data were collected in different settings: prisons, a private charitable organization, and private clinics and health centers. All participants completed the Psychopathy Checklist Revised and the Psycholinguistic Assessment of Language Processing in Aphasia, to assess psychopathy traits and language skills, respectively. Participants were allocated into four different groups: incarcerated psychopathic offenders (n = 13), non-incarcerated psychopathic non-offenders living in the community (n = 13), incarcerated non-psychopathic offenders (n = 25), and non-psychopathic non-offenders living in the community (n = 39). The results showed that the verbal functions and language skills between psychopaths and non-psychopaths are very similar, showing a common profile. The data presented indicate the need for more specific work opportunities for both groups within the correctional setting, with the use of appropriate language and individualized programs as necessary.
Collapse
|
10
|
Zimak EH, Suhr J, Bolinger EM. Psychophysiological and Neuropsychological Characteristics of Non-Incarcerated Adult Males with Higher Levels of Psychopathic Personality Traits. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10862-014-9430-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
11
|
Brook M, Brieman CL, Kosson DS. Emotion processing in Psychopathy Checklist-assessed psychopathy: a review of the literature. Clin Psychol Rev 2013; 33:979-95. [PMID: 24013478 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Revised: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Deficient emotional experience is recognized as one of the central features of psychopathy and an impressive body of empirical findings regarding emotion processing in psychopathy has amassed over the past several decades, resulting in two broad theoretical perspectives. The general emotional deficit perspective postulates a globally reduced capacity for emotional experience and processing across the emotional spectrum. In contrast, according to the specific emotional deficit perspective, psychopathy is associated with abnormal experience of only specific types of emotion; several distinct hypotheses have been proposed under this latter perspective. We systematically and critically review findings from peer-reviewed research of emotion processing in psychopathy in relation to the two theoretical perspectives. In general, findings suggest that, compared to controls, psychopaths exhibit behavioral, psychophysiologic, and regional brain activation anomalies when processing emotion, but their ratings of self-arousal and stimulus valence/intensity do not differ from controls. However, when behavioral findings are examined separately by emotion type, the overall pattern of findings is not clearly consistent with any of the dominant theoretical perspectives of emotion processing in psychopathy. We summarize the current state of the field, including consistencies and inconsistencies in the literature, offer alternative explanations for the findings, and outline directions for future research.
Collapse
|
12
|
Gao Y, Glenn AL, Schug RA, Yang Y, Raine A. The neurobiology of psychopathy: a neurodevelopmental perspective. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2009; 54:813-23. [PMID: 20047720 DOI: 10.1177/070674370905401204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We provide an overview of the neurobiological underpinnings of psychopathy. Cognitive and affective-emotional processing deficits are associated with abnormal brain structure and function, particularly the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. There is limited evidence of lower cortisol levels being associated with psychopathic personality. Initial developmental research is beginning to suggest that these neurobiological processes may have their origins early in life. Findings suggest that psychopathic personality may, in part, have a neurodevelopmental basis. Future longitudinal studies delineating neurobiological correlates of the analogues of interpersonal-affective and antisocial features of psychopathy in children are needed to further substantiate a neurodevelopmental hypothesis of psychopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- Department of Criminology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|