Elucidating the associations between psychopathy, Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory constructs, and externalizing behavior

Alexandria K. Johnson, Martin Sellbom*, Tasha R. Phillips

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    11 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This study sought to further elucidate the associations between psychopathy and the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS), Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), and Behavioral Approach System (BAS) constructs in a large offender sample. More specifically, we examined whether individual differences in these systems would mediate the relationship between psychopathy and externalizing behavior. We used archival data from 823 male and female adult inmates, in which measurements of psychopathy, RST constructs, and externalizing behaviors were available. Path analyses showed that FFFS, over BIS or BAS, mediated the relationship between psychopathy and externalizing behavior. These results further underscore the important role that insensitivity to punishment plays in psychopathy.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-8
    Number of pages8
    JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
    Volume71
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014

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