Machiavellianism and psychopathy.

An integration of the Machiavellianism (MACH) and psychopathy constructs based on a dimensional view of personality and personality disorders and a recognition of B. Karpman's (1941, 1948) conceptual distinction between primary and secondary psychopathy is presented. Positive associations between MACH and both primary and secondary psychopathy were found. It is concluded that the Mach-lV is a global measure of psychopathy in noninstitutionalized populations (i.e., one that assesses but confounds both primary and secondary psychopathy) and that the primary differences between MACH and psychopathy are not traceable to substantive theoretical issues but to the different professional affiliations they are associated with: personality and social psychology and clinical psychology, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Longitudinal evidence that psychopathy scores in early adolescence predict adult psychopathy.

This study examined the relation between psychopathy assessed at age 13 by using the mother-reported Childhood Psychopathy Scale (D. R. Lynam, 1997) and psychopathy assessed at age 24 by using the interviewer-rated Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV; S. D. Hart, D. N. Cox, & R. D. Hare, 1995). Data from over 250 participants of the middle sample of the Pittsburgh Youth Study were used to examine this relation; approximately 9% of the sample met criteria for a possible PCL:SV diagnosis. Despite the long time lag, different sources, and different methods, psychopathy from early adolescence into young adulthood was moderately stable (r=.31). The relation was present for the PCL:SV total and facet scores, was not moderated by initial risk status or initial psychopathy level, and held even after controlling for other age 13 variables. Diagnostic stability was somewhat lower. Both specificity and negative predictive power were good, and sensitivity was adequate, but positive predictive power was poor. This constitutes the first demonstration of the relative stability of psychopathy from adolescence into adulthood and provides evidence for the incremental utility of the adolescent psychopathy construct. Implications and future directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive factors in electrodermal conditioning.

Analyzes concepts central to explanation of cognitive determination of electrodermal changes in conditioning situations. Past issues have emphasized verbally-induced task sets, awareness of stimulus contingencies, and the possibility of simultaneous learning at different "levels." Current issues emphasize verbally determined changes in the perceptual significance of stimuli, and changes in perception of relations among stimulus events. In conditioning situations, electrodermal activity is seen as a sensitive indicator of the momentary modulations of arousal which accompany processes described by the terms orientation, anticipation, expectation, preparation, and signal-induced adaptation or defense. (74 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Increased testosterone-to-cortisol ratio in psychopathy.

Only a few studies have examined hormones in psychopathy, and results have been mixed. It has been suggested that because hormone systems are highly interconnected, it may be important to examine multiple systems simultaneously to gain a clearer picture of how hormones work together to predispose for a certain construct. In the present study, we attempt to clarify the role of the hormones cortisol and testosterone in psychopathy by examining both hormones in a community sample of 178 adults demonstrating a wide range of psychopathy scores. Results showed that psychopathy scores were associated with an increased ratio of testosterone (baseline) to cortisol responsivity to a stressor. Psychopathy was not associated with either of these measures independently or with baseline cortisol levels. These findings suggest that these highly interconnected hormone systems may work in concert to predispose to psychopathy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Affect and adult self-regulation.

100 female undergraduates reviewed 1 of 5 sets of 45 self-statements representing manipulations of affect (positive somatic, positive self-evaluation, negative somatic, negative self-evaluation, or neutral) and then completed an ostensibly separate task involving self-regulation of difficult or easy mathematics problems to examine the influence of induced affect on Ss' self-regulated performance and related subjective responses. Before and after the affect induction, Ss completed several measures of affect and self-perception, including the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist and the Subjective Probability Questionnaire. Following the performance phase, Ss observed their problem-solving activities, evaluated them, and made attributional and other responses. It was hypothesized that (1) somatic affect inductions would prove most potent, (2) affect would have greater impact in the low-task-mastery context, and (3) positive vs negative affect inductions would produce differential effects, dependent on task-mastery condition. The somatic inductions more substantially influenced subjective reports and performance, in accord with Hypothesis 1, and the positive somatic induction significantly improved self-regulation only in the low-mastery condition, in partial support of Hypotheses 2 and 3. Discussion focuses on the importance of the arousal dimensions of affect and concomitant shifts in attentional foci as determinants of adult self-regulation. (93 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Latent inhibition in the conditioned electrodermal response.

Measured the effects of preexposure to the CS, amount of pre-exposure, and delay between pre-exposure and conditioning in a classical electrodermal conditioning experiment with 139 female nursing students. 3 conditions were investigated: no delay, 1-hr delay, and 24-hr delay. In each of these delay conditions Ss were pre-exposed to either 100 or 50 presentations of the to-be-conditioned stimulus or 100 or 50 presentations of an irrelevant stimulus. Results were analyzed separately for long and short latency responses in terms of amplitude, magnitude, latency, recruitment, and frequency. It was found that CS pre-exposure reduced the frequency of responding regardless of delay or number of pre-exposures. There was a significant CS Pre-exposure main effect for short latency responses and a significant Trial Blocks * CS Pre-exposure interaction effect for long latency responses. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discrepancy-based and anticipated emotions in behavioral self-regulation.

Discrepancies between one's current and desired states evoke negative emotions, which presumably guide self-regulation. In the current work we evaluated the function of discrepancy-based emotions in behavioral self-regulation. Contrary to classic theories of self-regulation, discrepancy-based emotions did not predict the degree to which people engaged in self-regulatory behavior. Instead, expectations about how future self-discrepancies would make one feel (i.e., anticipated emotions) predicted self-regulation. However, anticipated emotions were influenced by previous discrepancy-based emotional experiences, suggesting that the latter do not directly motivate self-regulation but rather guide expectations. These findings are consistent with the perspective that emotions do not necessarily direct immediate behavior, but rather have an indirect effect by guiding expectations, which in turn predict goal-directed action. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral inhibition and electrodermal activity during deception.

Tested the assumption that the act of inhibiting ongoing behavior requires physiological work. In a guilty knowledge test (GKT) paradigm, 30 undergraduates were induced to attempt to deceive the experimenter on 2 separate occasions while electrodermal activity was measured. For 20 of the 30 Ss, overt behaviors (changes in eye movement and facial expression) were recorded during the 2nd GKT. Results indicate that the incidence of these behaviors decreased during Ss' deceptive responses. This behavioral inhibition coincided with increases in skin conductance level. In addition to suggesting nonverbal correlates of deception, findings indicate that long-term behavioral inhibition may be a factor in psychosomatic disease. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of measures of psychopathy.

397 inmates of adult correctional institutions were administered the revised Activity Preference Questionnaire, 16 PF, Eysenck Personality Inventory, MMPI, Sensation-Seeking Scale, and Personal Opinion Study. Inspection of correlations and factors associated with indices of psychopathy showed no substantial agreement among the scales. Implications for the study of psychopathy are drawn. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessment of psychopathy in male young offenders.

We investigated the psychometric properties of an 18-item modification of the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) in a sample of 75 male young offenders incarcerated in a maximum-security institution. The distribution and psychometric properties of PCL scores were similar to those found previously (e.g., R. D. Hare; see record 1985-20280-001) in samples of young adult inmates. PCL scores were significantly correlated with the number of conduct-disorder symptoms, previous violent offenses, violent behavior in the institution, and violent recidivism. These and related results from several other studies indicate that the PCL shows promise as a research instrument for the assessment of psychopathy in male young offenders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early gender differences in self-regulation and academic achievement.

This study examined gender differences in self-regulation in the fall and spring of kindergarten and their connection to gender differences in 5 areas of early achievement: applied problems (math), general knowledge, letter–word identification, expressive vocabulary, and sound awareness. Behavioral self-regulation was measured using both an objective direct measure (N = 268; Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task) and, for a subsample of children, a teacher report of classroom self-regulatory behavior (n = 156; Child Behavior Rating Scale). Results showed that girls outperformed boys in both assessments. Although gender differences in self-regulation were clear, no significant gender differences were found on the 5 academic achievement outcomes, as measured by the Woodcock–Johnson III Tests of Achievement. Self-regulation consistently predicted math and sound awareness, although links were stronger with the direct measure as compared with teacher reports. Implications for understanding the role of gender and self-regulation in early and later academic achievement and the role of self-regulation in particular areas of achievement are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biofeedback. II. Reflections. Perspectives

The Biofeedback is a new field in full evolution where the clinical application is still at an experimental stage. But its interest is not only in the prospects which it is offering on the practical side, but also in the theoretical field in the sense of an improvement of our understanding of the rules and mechanisms of the learning at the visceral level. Besides, it is obvious that progress could only be made at the same time on the practical side and in theoretical field, and in a true psychosomatic outlook.     

Biofeedback, science, and training.

Responds to P. A. Norris's (see record 1987-01962-001) criticism of the present author's (see record 1986-11198-001) article on biofeedback by suggesting that Norris appears to be restating the present author's position—that biofeedback by itself is neither necessary nor sufficient to accomplish anything but is a technique to be used in conjunction with other approaches to meet certain therapeutic goals. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex-specific association between psychopathic traits and electrodermal reactivity in children.

This study investigated the relationship of skin conductance response (SCR) to a child psychopathy measure. Blunted electrodermal activity is a theoretically important characteristic of psychopathy, but it has not been fully explored in preadolescents or females. The authors tested the hypothesis that reduced SCR magnitude is associated with psychopathic-like traits in boys and girls. Participants were drawn from an ethnically diverse community sample of 9- to 10-year-old twins. Given the fact that members of each twin pair were rated by the same individual (i.e., their caregiver) on the Child Psychopathy Scale, the authors examined individual differences at the within-family level. Skin conductance data were collected during a passive auditory task consisting of 75-dB tones as well as miscellaneous sounds (e.g., baby cries, bird noises, and speech-like stimuli). Reduced SCR magnitude (hyporeactivity) was characteristic only of boys with higher psychopathy scores. More specifically, electrodermal hyporeactivity was linked to the interpersonal facet of psychopathy, suggesting that it is a biological marker of a manipulative and deceitful orientation in males. No association was found between SCRs and psychopathic traits in girls, indicating the importance of sex specific etiologies of psychopathy in childhood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictors of psychopathy and release outcome in a criminal population.

Additional construct validity of R. D. Hare's (see record 1982-02477-001) Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) was sought by comparing empirically derived predictors of recidivism with PCL scores among 93 inmates who were first released on temporary absences and subsequently followed on parole. The PCL proved to be reliable and a more efficient predictor of release outcome than an empirically derived predictive index. Psychopathy ratings predicted outcome for both temporary absence and parole release. PCL scores and actuarial prediction scales of recidivism were found to be highly correlated, even after deleting overlapping items. In addition, psychopathy was significantly related to mean time before recommittal. Significant differences between nonpsychopaths and psychopaths were also found when unequal follow-up time was controlled. Psychopaths were recommitted 4 times more frequently than nonpsychopaths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Asymmetric neural control systems in human self-regulation.

Reviews the literature on the neurotransmitter substrates controlling motor readiness, showing that these substrates produce qualitative changes in the flow of information in the brain: Dopaminergic activation increases informational redundancy, whereas noradrenergic arousal facilitates orienting to novelty. Evidence that these neurotransmitter pathways are lateralized in the human brain is consistent with the left hemisphere's specialization for complex motor operations and the right hemisphere's integration of bilateral perceptual input. Principles of attentional control are suggested by the operational characteristics of neural control systems. The affective features of the activation and arousal systems are integral to their adaptive roles and may suggest how specific emotional processes dynamically regulate cognitive function. (4? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biofeedback treatment of Raynaud's disease.

The primary symptom in Raynaud's disease and Raynaud's phenomenon is vasospastic attacks of the extremities. The most common portions of the body affected are the fingers and toes, although the tips of the nose, ears, and other areas may also be involved. Stimuli for the attacks are cold, physical stress, emotional stress, or all of these. Clinically, Raynaud's symptomatology can be classified by history and symptoms into mild, moderate, or severe categories. Behavioral treatment with thermal biofeedback provides an efficient cost-effective treatment with little or no negative side effects. Medication and surgery are less effective and have numerous and troublesome side effects. With experienced clinicians, a good biofeedback protocol, and properly selected Raynaud's disease patients, 80-90% can have a good-to-excellent treatment result. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Concurrent and predictive electrodermal correlates of symptomatology in recent-onset schizophrenic patients.

Electrodermal activity and symptomatology were interrelated in a group of 56 male and 13 female recent-onset schizophrenic patients. Electrodermal activity was indexed by the frequency of nonspecific skin conductance responses and the number of trials to habituation of the skin conductance orienting response. Symptomatology was assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) on 2 separate test occasions. The 1st test occasion was during the inpatient period when psychotic symptoms were prevalent and medications were variable. The 2nd test occasion was several mo later during an outpatient period when symptoms were stabilized and medications held constant. Electrodermal activity was positively and significantly related to a number of symptoms in male patients, most reliably the BPRS factors Activation and Hostility/Suspiciousness. These relationships were most consistent during the outpatient period. Of particular theoretical interest, greater electrodermal activity during the inpatient period was associated with greater outpatient psychopathology. The results suggest that heightened inpatient electrodermal activity is predictive of poor short-term symptomatic recovery in recent-onset, acute, male schizophrenic patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Detecting psychopathy from thin slices of behavior.

This study is the first to demonstrate that features of psychopathy can be reliably and validly detected by lay raters from “thin slices” (i.e., small samples) of behavior. Brief excerpts (5 s, 10 s, and 20 s) from interviews with 96 maximum-security inmates were presented in video or audio form or in both modalities combined. Forty raters used these excerpts to complete assessments of overall psychopathy and its Factor 1 and Factor 2 components, various personality disorders, violence proneness, and attractiveness. Thin-slice ratings of psychopathy correlated moderately and significantly with psychopathy criterion measures, especially those related to interpersonal features of psychopathy, particularly in the 5- and 10-s excerpt conditions and in the video and combined channel conditions. These findings demonstrate that first impressions of psychopathy and related constructs, particularly those pertaining to interpersonal functioning, can be reasonably reliable and valid. They also raise intriguing questions regarding how individuals form first impressions and about the extent to which first impressions may influence the assessment of personality disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)