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Scientific Reports Apr 2024Social decisions are influenced by a person's social preferences. High psychopathy is defined by antisocial behaviour, but the relationship between psychopathy and...
Social decisions are influenced by a person's social preferences. High psychopathy is defined by antisocial behaviour, but the relationship between psychopathy and social preferences remains unclear. In this study, we used a battery of economic games to study social decision-making and social preferences in relation to psychopathy in a sample of 35 male prison inmates, who were arrested for sexual and severe violent offenses (mean age = 39 years). We found no evidence for a relationship between social preferences (measured with the Dictator and Ultimatum Games, Social Value Orientation, and one-shot 2 × 2 games) and psychopathy (measured by the overall Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised score and both factors). These results are surprising but also difficult to interpret due to the small sample size. Our results contribute to the ongoing debate about psychopathy and social decision-making by providing crucial data that can be combined with future datasets to reach large sample sizes that can provide a more nuanced understanding about the relationship between psychopathy and social preferences.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Pilot Projects; Prisoners; Aggression; Social Behavior Disorders
PubMed: 38594328
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59066-8 -
Journal of Personality Disorders Apr 2024Two studies examined the consistency of associations between specific components of psychopathy and two indices of drug use: (a) abstinence and (b) severity (i.e.,...
Two studies examined the consistency of associations between specific components of psychopathy and two indices of drug use: (a) abstinence and (b) severity (i.e., counts) of lifetime substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms. Participants were 418 male county jail inmates in Illinois (Study One) and 354 male state prison inmates in New Mexico (Study Two). Across samples, lifestyle and antisocial trait ratings were associated with a reduced likelihood of abstinence from most substances. Lifestyle traits were also uniquely associated with severity of substance dependence ratings. Consistent with prior research, interpersonal traits were uniquely related to cocaine indices in both samples. Furthermore, analyses revealed negative associations between the affective features of psychopathy and alcohol dependence in one sample (Study Two), and illicit substance use across samples. These findings demonstrate the robustness of the associations between the interpersonal and affective features of psychopathy and specific aspects of substance (mis)use.
Topics: Humans; Male; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Prisoners; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 38592911
DOI: 10.1521/pedi.2024.38.2.138 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Understanding the profiles of sexual offenders, such as the presence of psychopathic traits, is key to preventing future sexual crimes. The self-report psychopathy-III...
Understanding the profiles of sexual offenders, such as the presence of psychopathic traits, is key to preventing future sexual crimes. The self-report psychopathy-III (SRP-III) is a tool used to assess the characteristics of psychopathy, but improvements on its interpretation are required to maximize its precision. The SRP-III can be interpreted by examining the scores on each of the four facets (interpersonal manipulation, callous affect, erratic lifestyle, antisocial behavior), on each of two factors (factor 1, factor 2), or by examining the total score. Here, we investigate the interpretation of the results from the SRP-III using these three approaches of analysis of the data for predicting types of sexual crimes, sexually deviant preferences (measured via PPG), and the validity of the sexual deviance results. Logistic regressions were carried out using either the four facets, two factors, or the total score of the SRP-III. Data were previously obtained from 198 Canadian men who were convicted of, or who admitted to committing, at least one sexual crime, or who reported experiencing sexually deviant fantasies. We also examined the point-biserial correlations between each of the methods of interpreting the SRP-III results and each of the dependent variables. We find that SRP-III facet scores most precisely predict types of sexual crimes, sexually deviant preferences, and sexual deviance index validity, followed by SRP-III factor scores, and lastly SRP-III total scores. Additionally, significant correlations are only found between SRP-III scores and one dependent variable. Potential reasons for this are discussed. Based on these findings, we recommend that future studies consider facet and factor scores in addition to the standard practice of examining total scores.
PubMed: 38590337
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1359720 -
Chemosphere May 2024Fish have common neurotransmitter pathways with humans, exhibiting a significant degree of conservation and homology. Thus, exposure to fluoxetine makes fish potentially...
Fish have common neurotransmitter pathways with humans, exhibiting a significant degree of conservation and homology. Thus, exposure to fluoxetine makes fish potentially susceptible to biochemical and physiological changes, similarly to what is observed in humans. Over the years, several studies demonstrated the potential effects of fluoxetine on different fish species and at different levels of biological organization. However, the effects of parental exposure to unexposed offspring remain largely unknown. The consequences of 15-day parental exposure to relevant concentrations of fluoxetine (100 and 1000 ng/L) were assessed on offspring using zebrafish as a model organism. Parental exposure resulted in offspring early hatching, non-inflation of the swimming bladder, increased malformation frequency, decreased heart rate and blood flow, and reduced growth. Additionally, a significant behavioral impairment was also found (reduced startle response, basal locomotor activity, and altered non-associative learning during early stages and a negative geotaxis and scototaxis, reduced thigmotaxis, and anti-social behavior at later life stages). These behavior alterations are consistent with decreased anxiety, a significant increase in the expression of the monoaminergic genes slc6a4a (sert), slc6a3 (dat), slc18a2 (vmat2), mao, tph1a, and th2, and altered levels of monoaminergic neurotransmitters. Alterations in behavior, expression of monoaminergic genes, and neurotransmitter levels persisted until offspring adulthood. Given the high conservation of neuronal pathways between fish and humans, data show the possibility of potential transgenerational and multigenerational effects of pharmaceuticals' exposure. These results reinforce the need for transgenerational and multigenerational studies in fish, under realistic scenarios, to provide realistic insights into the impact of these pharmaceuticals.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Adult; Zebrafish; Fluoxetine; Larva; Antidepressive Agents; Perciformes; Neurotransmitter Agents; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38579950
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141851 -
Law and Human Behavior Feb 2024The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) instruments have a long history with respect to the assessment of psychopathic personality traits. The most recent...
OBJECTIVE
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) instruments have a long history with respect to the assessment of psychopathic personality traits. The most recent version, the MMPI-3, should be in a good position to continue this tradition, and the aim of the current research was to evaluate its scales for this purpose. We examined, on the basis of previous research, how well conceptually relevant MMPI-3 scales mapped onto dominant contemporary psychopathy models: the traditional three-factor model and triarchic psychopathy model.
HYPOTHESES
We hypothesized that MMPI-3 markers of internalizing would be negatively correlated with boldness, whereas broad and specific markers of externalizing proclivities would be associated with disinhibition and antisociality. We also hypothesized that egocentricity and callousness would be associated with MMPI-3 scales measuring various features of externalizing, interpersonal aggression/antagonism, and grandiosity.
METHOD
We used archival samples of male prison inmates (n = 452), community members with externalizing proclivities (n = 205), and university students (n = 645). These participants completed the Expanded Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale and the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure.
RESULTS
Zero-order correlation analyses indicated support for many of our hypotheses across samples, with notable exceptions. Regression and dominance analyses yielded information about the most potent MMPI-3 predictors of each psychopathy domain, with consistency across the three samples. Boldness was associated with low scores on Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction, Low Positive Emotions, Shyness, and Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism and high scores on Self-Importance and Dominance. For meanness and disinhibition, we found substantial overlap with MMPI-3 scales (e.g., Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction, Antisocial Behavior). Meanness was indicated by high Aggression, Cynicism, Aggressiveness, and Disaffiliativeness; disinhibition/antisociality was primarily marked by high Antisocial Behavior, Hypomanic Activation, Impulsivity, and Disconstraint; and Anger Proneness, Aggression, and Cynicism were secondary indicators.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide support for using the MMPI-3 in clinical assessments to corroborate other sources of information regarding psychopathy as well as generate hypotheses for further consideration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Humans; Male; MMPI; Universities; Aggression; Anger; Antisocial Personality Disorder
PubMed: 38573701
DOI: 10.1037/lhb0000552 -
Psychiatria Polska Dec 2023Numerous studies show that a high level of psychopathic traits in youth is related to the propensity to use various types and forms of aggression. The presented study...
OBJECTIVES
Numerous studies show that a high level of psychopathic traits in youth is related to the propensity to use various types and forms of aggression. The presented study focuses on the relations between psychopathy and aggression, both indirect (relational) and direct in this age group. The triarchic model of psychopathy was used, according to which psychopathy is described as a configuration of boldness, meanness and disinhibition. It was assumed that boldness would be a predictor for indirect aggression and disinhibition - for the direct forms of aggressive behaviors.
METHODS
The sample consisted of 200 older adolescents (108 boys and 92 girls), aged 16-19. Two groups were distinguished for comparison: juveniles from youth fostering centers and youth not violating legal norms. For the measurement of the variables the following self-reports were used: Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, Indirect Aggression Scale (Aggressor Version) and Aggression Questionnaire.
RESULTS
From among the dimensions of psychopathy, the strongest predictor for both forms of aggression (indirect and direct) was disinhibition. The study also revealed the differences in the intensity of psychopathic traits and aggressive behaviors with reference to gender and institutionalization. However, the hypothesis on the relationship between boldness and indirect aggression was not confirmed.
CONCLUSIONS
The results showed that disinhibition and meanness can be considered as significant personality risk factors for aggressive behaviors and violence not only in adults but also in adolescents. The study supported also the heterogeneity of the triarchic model of psychopathy itself.
Topics: Adult; Male; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Aggression; Models, Psychological; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Report
PubMed: 38564520
DOI: 10.12740/PP/158898 -
Psychological Medicine Apr 2024The nature of the pathway from conduct disorder (CD) in adolescence to antisocial behavior in adulthood has been debated and the role of certain mediators remains...
BACKGROUND
The nature of the pathway from conduct disorder (CD) in adolescence to antisocial behavior in adulthood has been debated and the role of certain mediators remains unclear. One perspective is that CD forms part of a general psychopathology dimension, playing a central role in the developmental trajectory. Impairment in reflective functioning (RF), i.e., the capacity to understand one's own and others' mental states, may relate to CD, psychopathology, and aggression. Here, we characterized the structure of psychopathology in adult male-offenders and its role, along with RF, in mediating the relationship between CD in their adolescence and current aggression.
METHODS
A secondary analysis of pre-treatment data from 313 probation-supervised offenders was conducted, and measures of CD symptoms, general and specific psychopathology factors, RF, and aggression were evaluated through clinical interviews and questionnaires.
RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a bifactor model best fitted the sample's psychopathology structure, including a general psychopathology factor (p factor) and five specific factors: internalizing, disinhibition, detachment, antagonism, and psychoticism. The structure of RF was fitted to the data using a one-factor model. According to our mediation model, CD significantly predicted the p factor, which was positively linked to RF impairments, resulting in increased aggression.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight the critical role of a transdiagnostic approach provided by RF and general psychopathology in explaining the link between CD and aggression. Furthermore, they underscore the potential utility of treatments focusing on RF, such as mentalization-based treatment, in mitigating aggression in offenders with diverse psychopathologies.
PubMed: 38563288
DOI: 10.1017/S003329172400062X -
The American Journal of Psychiatry Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Conduct Disorder; Parenting; Emotions; Empathy; Antisocial Personality Disorder
PubMed: 38557142
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20240096 -
Journal of Research on Adolescence :... Mar 2024Antisocial and illegal behavior generally declines as youth approach adulthood, but there is significant individual variation in the timing of the peak and decline of...
Antisocial and illegal behavior generally declines as youth approach adulthood, but there is significant individual variation in the timing of the peak and decline of offending from adolescence to young adulthood. There are two primary research questions in the present study. First, are there subgroups of youth who follow similar patterns of offending over the nine years after their first arrest? Second, what baseline factors predict which youth will follow each pattern of offending? Data were drawn from the Crossroads study, which includes a sample of racially and ethnically diverse boys who were interviewed regularly for 9 years following their first arrest. Boys were between 13 and 17 years old at the start of the study and were approximately 24-25 years old at the final interview. Trajectories were measured with youths' self-reported offending using latent class growth analysis (LCGA). Results indicated that there were four subgroups of youth: a stable low group (55%), an escalating group (23%), a short-term recidivist group (15%), and a persistently high group (7%). Several baseline factors distinguished the groups. In particular, the results indicated that youth who were informally processed after their first arrest were more likely to be in the low offending group than any of the other LCGA groups. Age at first arrest, peer delinquency, exposure to violence, substance use, callous-unemotional traits, physical aggression, and perceptions of police legitimacy were also significantly related to group membership. Results suggest that certain risk factors identified after youths' first arrest may predict which youth continue to offend and which desist.
PubMed: 38553877
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12926 -
Psychology of Sport and Exercise Jul 2024Recent research has attested to the prevalence of mental health issues in sport, and the need to identify factors that could promote athletes' mental health. In this...
Recent research has attested to the prevalence of mental health issues in sport, and the need to identify factors that could promote athletes' mental health. In this study, we investigated: (a) whether authentic leadership is associated with athletes' mental health directly and indirectly via psychological capital and prosocial and antisocial behaviour experienced from one's teammates; and (b) whether the hypothesized model testing these relationships is the same in higher versus lower competitive level athletes. We examined two dimensions of mental health, namely positive mental health and mental illness. A total of 751 athletes (Mage = 22.92, SD = 8.53; 294 female) from a range of sports completed a multi-section questionnaire administered via an online survey. Path analysis showed that authentic leadership was positively related to positive mental health via psychological capital and prosocial behaviour and negatively linked to mental illness via psychological capital and antisocial behaviour. The effects of authentic leadership on positive mental health via prosocial teammate behaviour and subsequently psychological capital, and on mental illness via prosocial teammate behaviour, were stronger in higher compared to lower competitive level athletes. The findings suggest that by adopting an authentic leadership style coaches could strengthen athletes' positive mental health and protect them from mental illness. This may happen by increasing athletes' psychological capital and prosocial behaviour within the team and decreasing antisocial behaviour within the team.
Topics: Humans; Leadership; Athletes; Female; Male; Mental Health; Adult; Young Adult; Mental Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adolescent; Competitive Behavior; Sports; Social Behavior
PubMed: 38547636
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102617