A meta-analysis of the associations between callous-unemotional traits and empathy, prosociality, and guilt

Waller, Rebecca; Wagner, Nicholas J.; Barstead, Matthew G.; Subar, Anni R.; Petersen, Jennifer L.; Hyde, Janet Shibley; Hyde, Luke W.

doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101809

Cited by 131 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 113 publications

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“…We also focused on neural activation within the MPFC in line with its pivotal role for cognitive aspects of empathy. Moreover, we expected a positive relationship between individual empathic abilities and brain activation in brain areas related to empathizing, and, accordingly, an inverse relationship with CU traits (32).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Neural Correlates of Empathy in Boys With Early Onset Conduct Disorder

et al. 2020

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Conclusions: The data emphasize the important role of the amygdala in empathy related emotional processing. Diminished amygdala responses and their association with low empathy suggest a pivotal influence of impaired amygdala processing in early-onset von Polier et al. Empathy in Early-Onset Conduct Disorder CD, in particular for deficits in empathic behavior and related callous-unemotional-traits. Elevated response in the medial prefrontal cortex in boys with CD point toward increased involvement of brain areas related to self-referential processing and cognitive empathy during empathizing.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Neural Correlates of Empathy in Boys With Early Onset Conduct Disorder

et al. 2020

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“…In contrast, the limited research on this topic seems to indicate even in cases in which the target's emotional state has been correctly classified, the individual with psychopathic traits is still less likely to experience emotional contagion (Luckhurst et al, 2017) or to generate an empathic response (see Waller et al, 2020 for a review). Indeed, this lack of emotional empathy alongside intact cognitive empathy is proposed to enable those with extremely high levels of psychopathic traits to manipulate others and to account for a disproportionate number of crimes (Blair, 2005).…”

Section: Contagion In Psychopathy and Asdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of Contagious Yawning and Itching Differ Amongst Adults With Autistic Traits vs. Psychopathic Traits

et al. 2021

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Both individuals with diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and individuals high in psychopathic traits show reduced susceptibility to contagious yawning; that is, yawning after seeing or hearing another person yawn. Yet it is unclear whether the same underlying processes (e.g., reduced eye gaze) are responsible for the relationship between reduced contagion and these very different types of clinical traits. College Students (n = 97) watched videos of individuals yawning or scratching (a form of contagion not reliant on eye gaze for transmission) while their eye movements were tracked. They completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Psychopathy Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R), and the Adolescent and Adult Sensory Processing Disorder Checklist. Both psychopathic traits and autistic traits showed an inverse relationship to contagious yawning, consistent with previous research. However, the relationship between autistic (but not psychopathic) traits and contagious yawning was moderated by eye gaze. Furthermore, participants high in autistic traits showed typical levels of contagious itching whereas adults high in psychopathic traits showed diminished itch contagion. Finally, only psychopathic traits were associated with lower overall levels of empathy. The findings imply that the underlying processes contributing to the disruptions in contagious yawning amongst individuals high in autistic vs. psychopathic traits are distinct. In contrast to adults high in psychopathic traits, diminished contagion may appear amongst people with high levels of autistic traits secondary to diminished attention to the faces of others, and in the absence of a background deficit in emotional empathy.

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“…Increasing disengagement and failure at school, often acting in combination with antisocial peer group involvement and a challenging home environment, may steer at-risk children towards a trajectory of antisocial behavior (Allen et al 2020 ). The temperament dimension of callous-unemotional (CU) traits, characterized by reduced empathy, lack of guilt or remorse, shallow emotions and a lack of concern for performance, has shown substantial utility in explaining differing pathways to antisocial behavior (Waller et al 2019 ). CU traits predict more severe and persistent antisocial behavior and are associated with distinct socioemotional correlates, such as reduced recognition of and responding to others’ distress cues (Marsh and Blair 2008 ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Callous-Unemotional Traits and Antisocial Behavior in South Korean Children: Links with Academic Motivation, School Engagement, and Teachers’ Use of Reward and Discipline

Hwang¹,

Waller

Hawes

et al. 2020

J Abnorm Child Psychol

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Callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been associated with atypical responses to reward and punishment cues, with evidence suggesting that such traits may shape caregiver use of reward and punishment practices over time. To date, research has predominantly focused on parental rewards and discipline, with far less attention paid to teacher behavior management strategies. The first aim of the current study was to investigate the potential moderating effect of CU traits on the relationship between teacher classroom management strategies (rewards and discipline) and two important school-related outcomes: student engagement and academic motivation. The second aim was to examine whether CU traits were related to teachers’ use of discipline and reward strategies over time. Children attending South Korean primary schools ( N = 218; aged 10–12 years; 52% boys) reported on CU traits, antisocial behavior, teacher classroom management strategies, school engagement and academic motivation at two time points (the beginning and end of a single academic year). First, harsh teacher discipline predicted lower school engagement, but only for children low in CU traits. Second, cross-lagged longitudinal models showed that CU traits predicted decreased use of teacher rewards, over and above associations with antisocial behavior. CU traits were not related to harsh discipline cross-sectionally or longitudinally in models that accounted for antisocial behavior. Findings show that CU traits are related to reduced sensitivity to teacher discipline, suggesting that teachers may need additional support to implement both discipline and reward-based strategies with children high in these traits. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10802-020-00663-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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A meta-analysis of the associations between callous-unemotional traits and empathy, prosociality, and guilt

Cited by 131 publications

References 113 publications

Neural Correlates of Empathy in Boys With Early Onset Conduct Disorder

Neural Correlates of Empathy in Boys With Early Onset Conduct Disorder

Patterns of Contagious Yawning and Itching Differ Amongst Adults With Autistic Traits vs. Psychopathic Traits

Callous-Unemotional Traits and Antisocial Behavior in South Korean Children: Links with Academic Motivation, School Engagement, and Teachers’ Use of Reward and Discipline

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