Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
14:04
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation
Published on: August 26, 2011
13.3K
Callousness and affective face processing in adults: Behavioral and brain-potential indicators.
Sarah J Brislin1, James R Yancey1, Emily R Perkins1
1Department of Psychology.
Personality Disorders
|January 18, 2017
Summary
Callous-unemotional (CU) traits in adults are linked to difficulties recognizing fearful faces and reduced brain responses to them. This research supports the validity of CU traits in adult populations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are crucial in understanding child behavior problems.
- CU traits informed the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder.
- Previous research indicated deficits in processing fearful faces in youth with CU traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the construct validity of callousness in adults.
- To test for behavioral and neural processing deficits of fearful faces in adults with callous traits.
- To determine if callousness scores predict recognition accuracy and electrocortical reactivity to fearful faces.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with adult participants.
- Study 1: Emotion recognition task involving viewing affective faces.
- Study 2: Electrocortical data collection (N170, P200) during viewing of fearful and neutral faces.
Main Results:
- Higher callousness correlated with lower accuracy in recognizing fearful faces (Study 1).
- Callousness was associated with reduced N170 and P200 responses to fearful faces (Study 2).
- These findings demonstrate behavioral and physiological deficits in processing fearful faces in adults with callousness.
Conclusions:
- Adult callousness is associated with deficits in processing fearful faces.
- Findings support the validity of the CU construct in adults.
- Suggests a multidomain framework for studying CU traits.
Related Concept Videos
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
263
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be...
263
02:34Empathy
10.2K
Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor.
10.2K
01:30Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals
403
The actions and characteristics of others heavily influence the causes of social behaviors. Emotional expressions serve as powerful social signals, shaping behaviors and interactions in significant ways. Whether through direct observation or subconscious processing, individuals constantly adjust their responses based on the emotions and attributes of those around them.Emotional Cues and Social ResponsesFacial expressions, tone of voice, and body language provide crucial emotional cues that...
403
01:28Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
292
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...
292
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
1.0K
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Primary Temperament Types
1.0K
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
1.0K
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
1.0K