Comorbidity of schizotypy and psychopathy: Skin conductance to affective pictures

    Authors

    K. A. Ragsdale; J. C. Mitchell; J. E. Cassisi;J. S. Bedwell

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Psychiatry Res.

    Keywords

    Skin conductance; Electrodermal activity; Self-centered impulsivity; Schizophrenia; Schizotypy; Violence; PSYCHOMETRICALLY IDENTIFIED SCHIZOTYPY; SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS; PERSONALITY-DISORDER; EMOTIONAL PICTURES; VIOLENCE; AGGRESSION; INVENTORY; RESPONSES; ANXIETY; DIMENSIONS; Psychiatry

    Abstract

    Prior research indicates a relationship between psychopathy and schizophrenia, elucidating a specific trajectory toward violence. Recent research has suggested that this relationship exists at the nonclinical trait level of schizotypy; however, this finding has not been examined objectively. To explore this relationship using both subjective and objective measures, 54 undergraduates (50% male; mean age 20.41) who endorsed a wide range of schizotypy on the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) completed a laboratory-based protocol. Participants viewed 15 pictures (five neutral, five threatening, and five of others in distress) from the International Affective Pictures System while electrodermal activity was recorded. As expected, all participants exhibited increased skin conductance levels (SCL) to threat and distress pictures compared to neutral pictures; however, no difference in SCL was found between threat and distress pictures. A unique relationship between psychopathy and schizotypy was found (i.e., schizotypy was related to higher Self-Centered Impulsivity and lower Fearless Dominance); however, schizotypy was related to increased SCL in response to emotional and neutral pictures. Although results do not support autonomic hyporesponsiveness often found in clinical psychopathy, a positive relationship was found between schizotypy and self-reported physical aggression. Findings highlight the need to examine other trajectories of violence within the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Psychiatry Research

    Volume

    210

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2013

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1000

    Last Page

    1007

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000329417500053

    ISSN

    0165-1781

    Share

    COinS