A four-factor model of psychopathy assessed via neural reinforcement sensitivity theory
Abstract
Reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) most clearly relates to internalizing disorders. But a weak behavioural inhibition system (BIS as defined by RST) could underlie externalising, in general, and psychopathy in particular (Fowles, 1980). Conventional "rationally derived" RST scales (rRST) are not anchored in neurally defined RST systems (nRST). So, here, we use both rRST and nRST measures to assess psychopathy traits. We operationalised psychopathy via a four-factor model (affective | interpersonal | disinhibition | boldness). We operationalised rRST via the Heym, Ferguson & Lawrence (2008) updated version of Carver and White's (1994) BIS/BAS scales (BAS | BIS | FFFS). We operationalised nRST (goal inhibition system, GIS; goal repulsion system, GRS) via previously validated (Shadli et al., 2021) rhythmic power in the stop signal task (SST) and (goal approach system, GAS) via previously validated ERPs in the doors task. Initial bivariate correlations of psychopathy factors with rRST scales were as expected. We found no significant associations between psychopathy factors and nRST measures. A series of post hoc exploratory repeated measures ANOVAs guarded against non-linearity between psychopathy and nRST constructs. These found that: (1) Disinhibition traits might be explained (unexpectedly) by increased sensitivity in the GIS (i.e., conflict) and GRS (i.e., repulsion) and decreased sensitivity in the GAS (i.e., attraction). (2) Affective traits might be explained, as…
Read the paper
Related studies
- The neurocircuitry of addiction: an overview
- Gender Differences in Human Brain: A Review
- Stratified medicine for mental disorders
- The neurobiology of drug addiction: cross-species insights into the dysfunction and recovery of the prefrontal cortex
- Annual Research Review: DNA methylation as a mediator in the association between risk exposure and child and adolescent psychopathology
- Schizophrenia: The new etiological synthesis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.