The role of Gray’s revised RST in the P–psychopathy continuum: The relationships of Psychoticism with a lack of fear and anxiety, and increased impulsivity

Abstract

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, ...

The P-psychopathy continuum: Facets of Psychoticism and their associations with psychopathic tendencies

“…While the findings generally support Eysenck's P-psychopathy continuity hypothesis, the differential associations of the P-facets with criterion measures suggest that they may be more useful in predicting primary and secondary psychopathic tendencies than overall P. Specifically, the associations of primary P traits with reduced empathy may explain inconsistencies in the literature concerning how global P is linked to primary psychopathy (Hare, 1982;Heym & Lawrence, 2010), and questions the broad association of the higherorder dimension P with primary psychopathy. Moreover, the opposite associations of the Pfacets with affective and cognitive components of aggression may explain the lack of associations of overall P with anger or hostility in the current and previous research (Wood & Newton, 2003).…”

“…However, Heym and Lawrence (2010) showed that raised levels of P in normal populations were associated with reduced anxiety and punishment sensitivity -a hallmark of primary psychopathy, and increased impulsivity similar to secondary psychopathy; suggesting that P taps into aspects of both primary and secondary psychopathy in normal populations. Such inconsistent findings may be explained by a multi-faceted nature of P.…”

Gray’s revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory in relation to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and Tourette-like behaviors in the general population

“…Thus, reward processing and goal-directed behavior may play a differential role in pure Attention Deficit or Hyperactivity Disorder. Moreover, BASreward responsiveness and BAS-drive cluster under a reward reactivity factor that is distinct from a trait impulsivity factor, which encompasses BAS-fun seeking (Smillie, Pickering, & Jackson, 2006;Heym & Lawrence, 2010). Given this distinction between reward reactivity and trait impulsivity, the current findings question a simple overactive BAS account (if conceptualized as reward sensitivity rather than impulsivity) in ADHD and may explain inconsistent findings in the past (Oosterlaan & Sergeant, 1998;Paloyelis et al, 2009).…”

“…It is possible that some impulsive aspects are driven by hypersensitivity to aversive cues leading to fight/flight responses. Indeed, high levels of FFFS have been shown to increase (moderate) trait impulsivity (Heym & Lawrence, 2010).…”

Association between the HTR2B gene and the personality trait of fun seeking

“…BAS fun seeking refers to impulsive approach of rewards and sensation seeking, BAS drive refers to the persistent pursuit of desired goals, and BAS reward responsiveness refers to the positive response to reward. Recent studies suggested that BAS fun seeking is more closely linked to rash impulsiveness, while BAS drive and reward responsiveness are more closely related to reward sensitivity (Heym & Lawrence, 2010;Leone & Russo, 2009;Smillie, Jackson, & Dalgleish, 2006). For example, BAS fun seeking has been found to have substantial positive correlations with impulsive behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse in both clinical and community samples (Alloy et al, 2009;Franken & Muris, 2006;Johnson, Turner, & Iwata, 2003).…”