Psychopathic Personality Traits, Attention, Emotion, and Disinhibition: An ERP Study of the Differential Correlates in the Two-Process Theory

Abstract

Studies of psychopathy point to deficits in emotional processing, attentional allocation, and inhibitory responding. Some studies suggest these deficits arise from etiologically separate personality facets. In Study 1, subjects (n = 20) completed personality measures and behavioral measures under EEG monitoring. An affective Stroop task presented prerated words in three conditions (positive, negative, neutral). Contrary to our hypothesis, Externalizing Vulnerability was not related to task performance, P3 amplitude, or N2 amplitude, and Trait Fearlessness was unrelated to response time on negative word trials. Some submeasures of Externalizing Vulnerability (TriPM Coldheartedness, Meanness, Disinhibition) were related to ERP components. All regression models were nonsignificant except for one, where PPI-R-PPI-R-Fearless Dominance accounted for difference in N1 not accounted for in previous steps. In Study 2, subjects (n = 568) completed diagnostic and personality measures, an MMN task, and a Go/No-Go task during EEG data collection. Subjects with high Trait Fearlessness showed reduced N2 amplitude, and subjects with high Externalizing Vulnerability had higher incidence of substance use, more antisocial behaviors, and poorer task performance. Multilevel Model analyses revealed that both P3 and N2 amplitudes were better predicted by the inclusion of PPI-R-Fearless Dominance and Self-Centered Impulsivity estimates than without them.