Dual temperamental risk factors for psychopathic personality: evidence from self-report and skin conductance.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional psychophysiological laboratory study (graded by design analogy for non-clinical research)
PubMed 21186933 · doi:10.1037/a0021848
What was done
University students completed the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI) and other personality measures to evaluate two factor-analytically derived dimensions: PPI-1 (hypothesized low-fear temperamental risk) and PPI-2 (hypothesized regulatory dysfunction). Palmar skin conductance (SC) reactivity was measured during two experimental tasks previously used in diagnosed psychopaths: anticipation of an aversive noise and delivering a speech about one's faults.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or test statistics. Directionally, PPI-1 was associated with reduced SC reactivity during anticipation of an aversive noise, while PPI-2 was associated with enhanced SC reactivity during the speech stressor. Further analyses with an 8-factor PPI model and 3 temperament dimensions indicated that Factor 1 related to behavioral fearlessness (weak defense system) and Factor 2 related to disinhibited negative temperament (high stress reactivity).
Why it matters
The study suggests that the distinct autonomic reactivity patterns found in incarcerated psychopaths also manifest dimensionally in non-institutionalized university students along separate temperamental risk pathways.
Limits
The abstract does not report the sample size, demographic characteristics, or quantitative statistical results (e.g., effect sizes, p-values). The study was conducted in a non-clinical student population and relies on self-reported personality metrics.
Cited by
- supports Factor 1 psychopaths lack anxiety and fear responses, whereas Factor 2 psychopaths experience high anxiety, violent tendencies, and aggressive impulses.