scholarly journals Emotion regulation in self-reported disinhibition, boldness and meanness

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickard Steijer

Introduction: In the triarchic model, psychopathy is viewed as a combination of three traits: disinhibition, boldness, and meanness; that can be assessed through the triarchic psychopathy measure (TriPM). The ability to regulate emotion has been proposed as one process that differs in people with higher psychopathic traits. Emotion regulation can be assessed trough functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) during downregulation of negative emotional stimuli. It is not known how emotion regulation relates to the TriPM subscales. Aim: We aimed to assess whether activity in the dlPFC during emotion regulation correlated with the scores in the three subscales of the TriPM in healthy males. Material and methods: Inclusion criteria: Ages 18-30, Male, Psychopathy Checklist – Revised-score <10. Exclusion criteria: Criminal history, standard contraindications for fMRI. Participants (n=7) performed an emotion regulation paradigm with negative picture stimuli during fMRI and filled out the TriPM. We correlated the activity in the dlPFC to scores in disinhibition, boldness, and meanness. Results: TriPM-subscale correlation to dlPFC-activity during emotion regulation was, for disinhibition: ρ=0.29, p=0.56, for meanness: ρ=0.29, p=0.59, for boldness: ρ=-0.43, p=0.35. Conclusion: We saw no significant correlation between activity in the dlPFC and TriPM-scores within normal range in any of the subscales. The relationship between emotion regulation and the subscales of the TriPM in normal subjects remains unknown. For future research on psychopathic traits in healthy males, a larger sample will be needed.

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107906322091072
Author(s):  
Julia Sauter ◽  
Daniel Turner ◽  
Peer Briken ◽  
Martin Rettenberger

For a particular subgroup of individuals with severe paraphilic disorders and a high risk of sexual recidivism, the combination of sex drive–reducing medications and psychotherapy is a promising treatment approach. The present quasi-experimental study aims at comparing differences in clinical characteristics and dynamic risk factors between persons receiving (+TLM, n = 38) versus not receiving (−TLM, n = 22) testosterone-lowering medications (TLMs). Individuals receiving TLM were more frequently diagnosed with paraphilic disorders. Neither the criminal history nor average risk scores differed between the two groups. In the +TLM, Stable-2007 scores showed a stronger decrease after TLM treatment was started. This accounted especially for the general and sexual self-regulation subscales. Individual variations in risk, however, were not predicted by TLM but were significantly related to treatment duration and Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) Factor I. Paraphilic patients with problems in self-regulatory abilities seem to profit most from pharmacological sex drive–reducing treatment. Furthermore, therapists seem to underestimate deviant sexual fantasies in medicated patients.


Sexual Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 107906321987717
Author(s):  
Pauline C. Leung ◽  
Jan Looman ◽  
Jeffrey Abracen

Although psychopathy is a well-established risk factor for recidivism among those who have committed sexual offenses, there are nonetheless some individuals with sexual offense histories who are high in psychopathy but do not recidivate. This population—nonrecidivating psychopathic sex offenders (NRP-SOs)—was the focus of the current investigation. Data from 111 individuals with sexual offense histories who received a Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) rating of at least 25 (suggesting the presence of psychopathy) were analyzed. With recidivism operationalized as the accrual of any new serious—that is, violent or sexual—charges, 39 recidivated (RP-SOs), whereas 72 did not (NRP-SOs). A logistic regression was conducted to assess whether NRP-SOs could be differentiated from RP-SOs. Being older at the time of release, a lesser criminal history, and being married predicted nonrecidivism. PCL-R factor scores and sexual deviance were not predictive. These findings highlight the heterogeneity that exists, even among those high in psychopathy.


2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Spironelli ◽  
D. Segrè ◽  
L. Stegagno ◽  
A. Angrilli

BackgroundThe occurrence of a significant relationship between psychopathic traits and intelligence is still open to debate. Most of the relevant information has been obtained from crystallized IQ tests or on psychopathic male offenders. In this study we hypothesized a negative correlation between psychopathic traits and fluid intelligence on a sample of criminal female in-patients.MethodWe carried out a correlational study on a selected sample of 56 criminal female offenders. Variables that were measured include the Hare Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) total score (and, separately, the scores from its four subscales: Interpersonal, Affective, Lifestyle and Antisocial) and fluid IQ measured by Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM).ResultsPearson's correlation between RPM IQ and total PCL-R score was negative (r54 = − 0.55, p < 0.001); women with greater psychopathy traits (total PCL-R score) had lower IQ scores. Negative correlations were also found between IQ and the four PCL-R subscales, Interpersonal, Affective, Lifestyle and Antisocial (r54 = − 0.35, p < 0.01, r54 = − 0.52, p < 0.001, r54 = − 0.53, p < 0.001, and r54 = − 0.49, p < 0.001 respectively).ConclusionsThe results indicate a general negative relationship between PCL-R and IQ, equally distributed across the four subcomponents of the psychopathic trait, and support the view that unsuccessful psychopathic women have poor planning and are unable to foresee and represent future consequences of their actions.


Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Walton ◽  
Elizabeth L. Jeglic ◽  
Brandy L. Blasko

There is a growing body of research demonstrating that the therapeutic alliance (TA) affects outcomes among specialized forensic populations, including sexual offenders. Despite this consensus, researchers continue to question whether higher levels of psychopathic traits are conducive to the formation of a therapeutic relationship for high-risk sexual offenders. Thus, the current study adds to the literature by examining the relationship between the TA and levels of psychopathy among a sample of incarcerated sexual offenders participating in sexual offender treatment. Overall, we found no significant relationships between Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) scores and the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) for either client or therapist ratings. However, when we excluded those offenders who were participating in aftercare, a significant negative relationship was found between client ratings of the Bonds subscale and PCL-R total scores. Next, after controlling for risk and group status (aftercare/non-aftercare), we found no significant differences between either client or therapist total WAI scores when compared by level of psychopathy as measured by the PCL-R (low, >20; moderate, 20-30; and high, >30). Furthermore, when Factor 1 and Factor 2 scores of the PCL-R were examined individually, neither factor significantly predicted either client or therapist total WAI score after controlling for risk and group status. Findings are discussed as they pertain to the treatment of sexual offenders with elevated levels of psychopathic traits.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian L. Steuerwald ◽  
Allison R. Brown ◽  
Malek Mneimne ◽  
David Kosson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the attenuated-anger and heightened-anger hypotheses of psychopathy by assessing the physiological, behavioral, and subjective measures of anger in individuals with and without psychopathic traits. Design/methodology/approach In all, 62 male college students were assigned to one of three groups based on evidence of elevated affective-interpersonal (Factor 1) and antisocial lifestyle (Factor 2) traits associated with psychopathy (the IF1+F2 group), evidence of only Factor 2 traits (the F2 only group), or based on the absence of psychopathic traits (the control group), using Gough’s (1957) Socialization scale and a modified, interview only form of Hare’s (1991) Psychopathy Checklist-Revised. To induce anger, participants received unjust criticism about their performance on a computer-based affective lexical decision task and were denied a performance bonus they had reason to expect. Findings Following provocation, the three groups displayed similar increases in blood pressure, pulse, and self-reported anger. The control and IF1+F2 groups also displayed similar retaliation toward the confederate. However, the IF1+F2 group displayed smaller increases on two of three measures of facial muscle activity associated with anger. Originality/value This study is one of the first to assess anger responsiveness in individuals with psychopathic traits using a powerful anger induction and using physiological, behavioral, and subjective indices of anger. It is also the first to assess both the attenuated-anger and the heightened-anger hypotheses of psychopathy. The findings appear largely inconsistent with both perspectives.


2008 ◽  
Vol 193 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Ponce ◽  
J. Hoenicka ◽  
M. A. Jiménez-Arriero ◽  
R. Rodríguez-Jiménez ◽  
M. Aragüés ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe Taql-A polymorphism of the ANKK1 gene, adjacent to the DRD2 gene, has been associated with alcoholism and other psychiatric conditions, although other DRD2 gene variants, such as the C957T polymorphism, could be related to these phenotypic traits.AimsTo investigate the contribution of the Taql-A and the C957T polymorphisms to the presence of psychopathic traits in patients with alcoholism.MethodWe performed association and interaction analyses of the polymorphisms in 150 controls and 176 male alcohol-dependent patients assessed for the presence of dissocial personal disorder, using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R).ResultsThere was a significant association of the Taql-A and C957T polymorphisms when both genotypes were present, with PCL-R scores of F1–171=0.13 (P=0.01) and a frequency of dissocial personal disorder OR=10.52, P<0.001.ConclusionsThe Taql-A of the ANKK1 gene and the C957T of the DRD2 gene are epistatically associated with psychopathic traits in alcohol-dependent patients.


Assessment ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107319112095805
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Kennealy ◽  
Jennifer L. Skeem ◽  
Scott O. Lilienfeld

Although the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) and Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI) ostensibly measure the same construct, they seem to emphasize different conceptions of psychopathy. This study was designed to clarify these differences by testing how well the PCL-R and PPI map alternative conceptions of psychopathy. Construct validity metrics were used to compare patterns of associations between psychopathy measures and 14 theory-relevant criterion variables that were observed in a sample of 1,281 offenders—with patterns of associations that were predicted based on alternative psychopathy conceptions. PCL-R total scores were most consistent with Karpman’s affective dysfunction-centered secondary conception, and PPI total scores were most consistent with the McCords’ lovelessness-based conception. Although similarities emerged at the factor level, the PPI demonstrated higher levels of consistency between theory-based predictions and observed relations than did the PCL-R. These results provide direction for refining measures in future research and interpreting PCL-R and PPI scores in current practice.


2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Grann

Summary: Hare's Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991 ) was originally constructed for use among males in correctional and forensic settings. In this study, the PCL-R protocols of 36 matched pairs of female and male violent offenders were examined with respect to gender differences. The results indicated a few significant differences. By means of discriminant analysis, male Ss were distinguished from their female counterparts through their relatively higher scores on “callous/lack of empathy” (item 8) and “juvenile delinquency” (item 18), whereas the female Ss scored relatively higher on “promiscuous sexual behavior” (item 11). Some sources of bias and possible implications are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
David DeMatteo ◽  
Stephen D. Hart ◽  
Kirk Heilbrun ◽  
Marcus T. Boccaccini ◽  
Mark D. Cunningham ◽  
...  

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