Psychopathy and risk taking: Self-report and behavioral correlates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen D Benning
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Dual Process ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Behavioral Correlates ◽  
Two Factors

Psychopathy is a distinctive personality style that is associated with a tendency to act recklessly, impulsively, and engage in sensation seeking behaviors. These associations suggest that psychopathy may be related to risk taking; however, the relationship between these variables has yet to be fully explored. To investigate this relationship, we utilized the dual-process model of psychopathy’s fearless dominance (FD) and impulsive antisociality (IA) factors and the Triarchic model’s boldness, meanness, and disinhibition domains. A sample of 508 undergraduate students completed a series of self-report questionnaires and underwent the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Analyses revealed that individuals high on all psychopathy factors displayed a tendency to view risky situations as less risky and self-reported engaging in a number of risky behaviors. The tendency of individuals high in psychopathic traits to view situations as less risky indirectly affected their likelihood to self-report engaging in risky behaviors. Notably, only FD was significantly associated with behavioral risk taking on the BART. Further correlational analyses revealed that IA, meanness, and disinhibition were all associated with greater self-reported externalizing behaviors, sensation seeking, and impulsivity. On the other hand, FD and boldness were only associated with self-reported adult antisocial behavior, alcohol use, sensation seeking, and low levels of impulsivity. Our pattern of results showed nearly identical relationships for FD and boldness, suggesting that these two factors may be capturing the same aspects of psychopathy.

scholarly journals The assessment of physical risk taking: Preliminary construct validation of a new behavioral measure

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258826
Author(s):  
Edward A. Smith ◽  
Stephen D. Benning
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Real World ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Behavioral Measure ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Exploratory Investigation ◽  
Outcome Scores ◽  
Physical Risk

Risk taking is a complex heterogeneous construct that has proven difficult to assess, especially when using behavioral tasks. We present an exploratory investigation of new measure–the Assessment of Physical Risk Taking (APRT). APRT produces a variety of different outcome scores and is designed as a comprehensive assessment of the probability of success and failure, and magnitude of reward and punishment of different types of simulated physically risky behaviors. Effects observed on the simulated behaviors are hypothesized to reflect similar effects on real world physical risks. Participants (N = 224) completed APRT in a laboratory setting, half of whom had a 1.5 s delay interposed between button presses. Exploratory analyses utilizing generalized estimating equations examined the main effects and two-way interactions among five within-subject factors, as well as two-way interactions between the within-subject factors and Delay across four APRT outcome scores. Results indicated that Injury Magnitude and Injury Probability exerted stronger effects than any of the other independent variables. Participants also completed several self-report measures of risk taking and associated constructs (e.g., sensation seeking), which were correlated with APRT scores to assess the preliminary convergent and divergent validity of the new measure. After correcting for multiple comparisons, APRT scores correlated with self-reported risk taking in thrilling, physically dangerous activities specifically, but only for those who did not have a delay between APRT responses. This promising exploratory investigation highlights the need for future studies comparing APRT to other behavioral risk taking tasks, examining the robustness of the observed APRT effects, and investigating how APRT may predict real-world physical risk taking.

scholarly journals Not All Risks Are Equal: The Risk Taking Inventory for High-Risk Sports

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 479-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Woodman ◽  
Matt Barlow ◽  
Comille Bandura ◽  
Miles Hill ◽  
Dominika Kupciw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Behavioral Activation ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Population Attitudes

Although high-risk sport participants are typically considered a homogenous risk-taking population, attitudes to risk within the high-risk domain can vary considerably. As no validated measure allows researchers to assess risk taking within this domain, we validated the Risk Taking Inventory (RTI) for high-risk sport across four studies. The RTI comprises seven items across two factors: deliberate risk taking and precautionary behaviors. In Study 1 (n = 341), the inventory was refined and tested via a confirmatory factor analysis used in an exploratory fashion. The subsequent three studies confirmed the RTI’s good model–data fit via three further separate confirmatory factor analyses. In Study 2 (n = 518) and in Study 3 (n = 290), concurrent validity was also confirmed via associations with other related traits (sensation seeking, behavioral activation, behavioral inhibition, impulsivity, self-esteem, extraversion, and conscientiousness). In Study 4 (n = 365), predictive validity was confirmed via associations with mean accidents and mean close calls in the high-risk domain. Finally, in Study 4, the self-report version of the inventory was significantly associated with an informant version of the inventory. The measure will allow researchers and practitioners to investigate risk taking as a variable that is conceptually distinct from participation in a high-risk sport.

scholarly journals The Dark Factor of Personality and Risk-Taking

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8400
Author(s):  
Shambhavi Tiwari ◽  
Morten Moshagen ◽  
Benjamin E. Hilbig ◽  
Ingo Zettler
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Common Core ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Financial Health ◽  
Specific Nature ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Common ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

Aversive personality traits have been linked to risk-taking across various domains. Herein, we investigated whether the common core of aversive traits, the Dark Factor of Personality (D), is related to risk-taking. Whereas the conceptualizations of D (common core of aversive traits) and risk-taking (not inherently socially and/or ethically aversive) do not necessarily imply an association, several theoretical considerations do suggest a positive relation between the constructs. In three studies (overall n = 689), we linked D to various self-report measures of risk-taking (Studies 1 and 2), as well as to a behavioral risk-taking task (Study 3). Overall, D was positively (although not always statistically significantly) related to self-reported risk-taking in terms of financial, health-related, and recreational risk-taking, fearlessness, novelty sensation seeking, intensity sensation seeking, and drug use. However, we did not find an association between D and behavioral risk-taking. Our findings provide insights into the relation between aversive personality and risk-taking, but also point to inconsistencies depending on the specific nature of risk-taking studied.

Early Adolescents’ Risk Taking Propensity, Urban Stress, and Affiliation With Risky Peers

2020 ◽  
pp. 027243162093919
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Dykas ◽  
Joanna Goplen ◽  
Craig K. Ewart ◽  
Brooks B. Gump
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Early Adolescents ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Black African ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Urban Stress

This study examined how early adolescents’ risk taking propensity and urban stress were linked to their affiliation with risky peers. Participants ( n = 297; [Formula: see text] age = 10.48 years [ SD = 0.93 years]; 54% male; 58% Black/African American) completed a brief laboratory-based behavioral risk taking task. They also completed self-report measures of urban stress and the number of close friends engaged in various risky behaviors (e.g., smoking, stealing). Results supported a link between risk taking propensity and affiliation with risky peers that was moderated by urban stress. After controlling for demographic factors, early adolescents’ risk taking propensity was positively associated with affiliation with risky peers at high levels of urban stress but not at low levels of urban stress.

Positive risk-taking: Mixed-methods validation of a self-report scale and evidence for genetic links to personality and negative risk-taking

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Wales Patterson ◽  
Lilla Pivnick ◽  
Frank D Mann ◽  
Andrew D Grotzinger ◽  
Kathryn C Monahan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Positive Behaviors ◽  
Adolescent Risk

Adolescents are more likely to take risks. Typically, research on adolescent risk-taking has focused on its negative health and societal consequences. However, some risk-taking behaviors might be positive, defined here as behavior that does not violate the rights of others and that might advance socially-valuable goals. Empirical work on positive risk-taking has been limited by measurement challenges. In this study, we elicited adolescents’ free responses (n = 75) about a time they took a risk. Based on thematic coding, we identified positive behaviors described as risks and selected items to form a self-report scale. The resulting positive risk-taking scale was quantitatively validated in a population-based sample of adolescent twins (n = 1249). Second, we evaluated associations between positive risk-taking, negative risk-taking, and potential personality and peer correlates using a genetically informed design. Sensation seeking predicted negative and positive risk-taking equally strongly, whereas extraversion differentiated forms of risk-taking. Additive genetic influences on personality accounted for the total heritability in positive risk-taking. Indirect pathways from personality through positive and negative peer environments were identified. These results provide promising evidence that personality factors of sensation seeking and extraversion can manifest as engagement in positive risks. Increased understanding of positive manifestations of adolescent risk-taking may yield targets for positive youth development strategies to bolster youth well-being.

Longitudinal Increases in Parent–Child Relationship Quality and Sensation Seeking Interact to Increase Risk-Taking During the College Transition

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
João F. Guassi Moreira ◽  
Eva H. Telzer
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
College Transition ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Parent Child Relationship ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Child Relationship ◽  
Risk Taking Behaviors ◽  
Parent Child

We tested two competing predictions of whether changes in parent–child relationship quality buffer or exacerbate the association between sensation-seeking and risk-taking behaviors as individuals gain more independence during the high school–college transition. In the current longitudinal study, 287 participants completed self-report measures of sensation seeking, risk-taking, and parent–child relationship quality with their parents prior to starting college and again during their first semester. Overall, students displayed increases in risky behaviors, which were predicted by sensation seeking. Changes in relationship quality moderated the association between sensation seeking and risk-taking, such that sensation seeking predicted higher risk-taking behaviors during the first semester of college, but only for those who reported increases in relationship quality across the college transition. These results suggest that increased relationship quality may have an inadvertent spillover effect by interacting with sensation seeking to increase risky behaviors.

scholarly journals How Perceived Individual Safety Attitude Helps to Explain The Relationship Between Sensation Seeking and Risk-Taking Propensity in The Prediction of Individual Work Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 191
Author(s):  
Woromita Fathlistya ◽  
Martina Dwi Mustika
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Work ◽  
Safety Attitude ◽  
The Relationship

Understanding the attitudes of individuals toward safety is important for hospital prevention programs and could reduce safety-related accidents. This study investigates the effects of perceived individual safety attitude in explaining the relationship between sensation seeking and risk-taking propensity for rewards in predicting individual performance. An on-line cross-sectional study was undertaken in which 177 nurses who completed an objective task (BART) and self-report questionnaires. Path analysis results revealed that perceived individual safety attitude influenced the relationship between both sensation seeking and risk-taking propensity in predicting individual performance. Nurses with both sensation seeking and risk-taking propensity for rewards have negative perceptions toward individual safety attitude, which resulted in poor individual work performances. It is indicated that encourage performance by rewards is not always effective.

scholarly journals The Dimensional Structure of the Self Report Psychopathy Scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 184
Author(s):  
Rizal Abu Bakar ◽  
Wan Nurul Izza Wan Husin
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Mental Health Issue ◽  
Factorial Structure ◽  
Factor Solution ◽  
Secondary Psychopathy ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Components Analysis

Mental health issue is becoming increasingly prevalent in Malaysia. However, the country still lacks valid measures in assessing mental illness which includes psychopathy. The present study investigates the factorial structure of the Self Report Psychopathy Scale (SRPS). Specifically, it examines the feasibility of its use with Malaysian community. The SRPS was administered to a sample of undergraduate students. Result of principal components analysis yielded a four-factor solution. The obtained result was inconsistent with the proposed conceptual framework of this scale which captured only two factors (primary psychopathy and secondary psychopathy factors). The psychometric features of SRPS showed less support on its feasibility as a sound and reliable research instrument to measure students’ psychopathic attributes in the Malaysian context. Other implications of the findings are discussed.

scholarly journals mPulse Mobile Sensing Model for Passive Detection of Impulsive Behavior: Exploratory Prediction Study

10.2196/25019 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e25019
Author(s):  
Hongyi Wen ◽  
Michael Sobolev ◽  
Rachel Vitale ◽  
James Kizer ◽  
J P Pollak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Mobile Sensing ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Impulsive Behavior ◽  
Battery Charging ◽  
Passive Sensing

Background Mobile health technology has demonstrated the ability of smartphone apps and sensors to collect data pertaining to patient activity, behavior, and cognition. It also offers the opportunity to understand how everyday passive mobile metrics such as battery life and screen time relate to mental health outcomes through continuous sensing. Impulsivity is an underlying factor in numerous physical and mental health problems. However, few studies have been designed to help us understand how mobile sensors and self-report data can improve our understanding of impulsive behavior. Objective The objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of using mobile sensor data to detect and monitor self-reported state impulsivity and impulsive behavior passively via a cross-platform mobile sensing application. Methods We enrolled 26 participants who were part of a larger study of impulsivity to take part in a real-world, continuous mobile sensing study over 21 days on both Apple operating system (iOS) and Android platforms. The mobile sensing system (mPulse) collected data from call logs, battery charging, and screen checking. To validate the model, we used mobile sensing features to predict common self-reported impulsivity traits, objective mobile behavioral and cognitive measures, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of state impulsivity and constructs related to impulsive behavior (ie, risk-taking, attention, and affect). Results Overall, the findings suggested that passive measures of mobile phone use such as call logs, battery charging, and screen checking can predict different facets of trait and state impulsivity and impulsive behavior. For impulsivity traits, the models significantly explained variance in sensation seeking, planning, and lack of perseverance traits but failed to explain motor, urgency, lack of premeditation, and attention traits. Passive sensing features from call logs, battery charging, and screen checking were particularly useful in explaining and predicting trait-based sensation seeking. On a daily level, the model successfully predicted objective behavioral measures such as present bias in delay discounting tasks, commission and omission errors in a cognitive attention task, and total gains in a risk-taking task. Our models also predicted daily EMA questions on positivity, stress, productivity, healthiness, and emotion and affect. Perhaps most intriguingly, the model failed to predict daily EMA designed to measure previous-day impulsivity using face-valid questions. Conclusions The study demonstrated the potential for developing trait and state impulsivity phenotypes and detecting impulsive behavior from everyday mobile phone sensors. Limitations of the current research and suggestions for building more precise passive sensing models are discussed. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03006653; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03006653

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