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Related Experiment Videos

Electrodermal hyporeactivity and antisocial behavior: does anxiety mediate the relationship?

D C Fowles1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. don_fowles@uiowa.edu

Journal of Affective Disorders
|February 13, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Electrodermal hyporeactivity, linked to psychopathy, aligns with a weak behavioral inhibition system (BIS). This suggests a temperament characterized by low anxiety and disinhibition, rather than solely high anxiety.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychophysiology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Electrodermal hyporeactivity is a reliable correlate of psychopathy and undersocialized aggressive conduct disorder (UACD).
  • This phenomenon has been interpreted as reflecting a weak behavioral inhibition system (BIS), a concept from Gray's work.
  • Existing temperament research separates trait anxiety/neuroticism and inhibitory control, with BIS often linked to anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence supporting the association between electrodermal hyporeactivity and temperament dimensions.
  • To examine the relationship between electrodermal hyporeactivity, anxiety, disinhibition, and impulsivity in psychopathy.
  • To explore alternative explanations for electrodermal hyporeactivity, including broader executive function deficits.

Main Methods:

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  • Review of existing literature and empirical findings.
  • Analysis of temperament scale data in relation to electrodermal responses.
  • Examination of findings concerning psychopathy, impulsivity, and executive functions.

Main Results:

  • Electrodermal hyporeactivity is associated with low anxiety and behavioral disinhibition, supporting the weak BIS hypothesis.
  • The findings suggest a link between electrodermal hyporeactivity and impulsivity in psychopaths, potentially more so than core psychopathic traits.
  • Evidence indicates that psychopaths may have broader deficits, possibly executive function deficits, which could stem from primary disinhibition.

Conclusions:

  • The results are largely consistent with the electrodermal hyporeactivity-weak BIS hypothesis.
  • Electrodermal hyporeactivity may be related to impulsivity and disinhibition, which could lead to secondary executive function deficits.
  • Further research is needed to resolve outstanding issues regarding the precise nature of the deficit and its relationship to psychopathy.