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Related Experiment Videos

Assessing psychopathic attributes in a noninstitutionalized population

M R Levenson1, K A Kiehl, C M Fitzpatrick

  • 1Department of Applied Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis 95616.

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|January 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

This study explored antisocial tendencies in university students, finding that disinhibition and psychopathy traits strongly predict antisocial actions. These results suggest psychopathy is a continuous dimension, not solely linked to risk-taking behavior.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Criminology

Background:

  • Antisocial behavior and psychopathy are complex constructs.
  • Understanding the dispositional underpinnings of antisocial actions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine antisocial dispositions in university students.
  • To develop and validate scales for primary and secondary psychopathy and antisocial actions.
  • To investigate the relationship between psychopathy, antisocial actions, and related personality traits.

Main Methods:

  • Surveyed 487 university students.
  • Developed and administered scales for primary psychopathy, secondary psychopathy, and antisocial actions.
  • Correlated scale scores with measures of boredom susceptibility, disinhibition, and sensation seeking.

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Main Results:

  • Primary and secondary psychopathy scales correlated with an antisocial action scale.
  • Disinhibition and psychopathy traits were significant predictors of antisocial action.
  • Thrill and adventure seeking negatively predicted antisocial action.
  • Secondary psychopathy was associated with trait anxiety.

Conclusions:

  • Antisocial actions are best predicted by a combination of disinhibition and psychopathic traits.
  • Findings challenge a unified behavioral inhibition system for antisocial and risk-taking behaviors.
  • Psychopathy appears to operate as a continuous dimension rather than a distinct category.