The Relationship Between Brain-Behavior Systems, Dark Personality Traits, Alexithymia, and Theory of Mind Deficits in Sexual Offenders

Abstract

The aim of the current research is to examine the relationship between brain-behavior systems, dark personality dimensions, and Alexithymia with theory of mind deficits in sexual offenders. For this purpose, 80 inmates from the central prison of Bojnurd were selected using purposive sampling. The variables were measured using the Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ), the Dirty Dozen scale of dark personality traits, the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the fight system and theory of mind deficits; and significant negative correlations between the flight and freeze systems, all aspects of dark personality dimensions, difficulty in identifying and describing feelings, and overall Alexithymia with theory of mind deficits. The regression analysis findings suggest that the fight/flight/freeze systems, dark personality traits, and Alexithymia play predictive roles in mind-reading abilities.