Gray's revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST; Gray & McNaughton, 2000) may play a role in explaining deficits in Psychoticism (P) and psychopathy (Corr, 2010). In this paper, we examine the relationships of P with anxiety, fear, impulsivity and reward reactivity in normal populations to assess whether these associations mirror the hypothesized role of RST motivations in psychopathy. Two hundred and twelve participants completed measures of Psychoticism, impulsivity and rRST motivations (BIS-anxiety, FFFS-fear and BAS). BIS-anxiety mediated the association of P with FFFS-fear and BAS-fun seeking. An exploratory factor analysis distinguished between trait impulsivity (P, impulsivity and BIS) and reward reactivity (BAS-reward responsiveness and BAS-drive). Subsequent moderation analyses showed that whilst neither BIS nor BAS moderated the P-impulsivity link, the association between P and impulsivity was more pronounced in individuals with raised levels of FFFS-fear. Findings are discussed in terms of the roles of fear versus anxiety and impulsivity versus reward reactivity in the P-psychopathy continuum. The manuscript addresses the role of Gray's revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory as underlying mechanism in the Psychoticism-psychopathy continuum. The manuscript reports the examination of the relationships of Psychoticism (P) with (i) anxiety and fear; and (ii) impulsivity and reward reactivity in normal populations to assess whether these associations mirror the hypothesized role of the RST motivations in primary and secondary psychopathy. Our data show that P is associated with reduced fear (FFFS) and anxiety (BIS) akin to primary psychopathy and support the key role of BIS as a potential mechanism for P and primary psychopathy associated punishment insensitivity. Secondly, the manuscript distinguishes between trait impulsivity and reward reactivity (BAS) and shows that P and impulsivity are linked to a deficit in behavioural inhibition (BIS) as opposed to reward reactivity (BAS). Thirdly, the data show that P-related impulsivity is more pronounced in individuals with raised levels of punishment sensitivity akin to secondary psychopathy. These associations of Psychoticism with the revised RST have to our knowledge not been shown before.We argue that the associations support Eysenck's continuity hypothesis for Psychoticism and Psychopathy as well as the role of the revised RST as underlying mechanisms in P and potentially psychopathy. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of distinguishing between anxiety and fear as well as impulsivity and reward reactivity in personality, specifically psychopathy research. We believe this manuscript makes some interesting contribution to the existing RST literature, the Eysenckian model of personality, specifically P, as well as the conceptualization of psychopathy.Please send any correspondence to the above address. We are looking forward to hearing from you.Yours sincerely, Nadja Heym and Claire Lawrence
Cover Letter and Word CountDear Professor Corr, ...