The utility of callous-unemotional traits in the predition of deviation behaviors
Abstract
Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are key features of psychopathy, certain
personality disorders, and antisocial behaviors. However, little research has focused on
whether CU traits predict less severe forms of antisocial behavior, or deviation behaviors.
In addition, few attempts have taken a comprehensive approach to measuring deviant
behavior that captures the scope of less severe behaviors present within the normal
population. The goal of this research was to investigate the relationship between
behavioral deviations and CU traits to determine if CU traits predicted higher rates of
everyday occurring deviations. In addition, this research adopted a statistical approach to
measuring behavioral deviation based on items from several pre-existing measures of
deviance falling within the deviation category proposed by Hagen’s (1984) model. This
study was administered through Amazon Mechanical Turk® via Qualtrics survey
software, and recruited 535 adult participants. All survey materials were counterbalanced.
Scores were created by using z-scores for each item to calculate a mean overall
behavioral deviation score while mean perceived harm was used to further categorize
behaviors. Hierarchical multiple regression included Self-Report Psychopathy Inventory
(SRP-III) subscales interpersonal manipulation (IM), callous affect (CA), erratic
lifestyles (EL), and criminal tendencies CT) as independent variables; CA was the main
subscale used to measure CU traits. Overall behavioral deviation and five levels of
behavioral deviation varying as a function of perceived harm were included as dependent
variables. Results from hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that CA was not a
significant predictor of behavioral deviations. In two models IM was significant, but the
effects were small. EL and CT were the most important predictors across all models.
These results suggest that CU traits do not predict overall behavioral deviation once
measures of impulsivity and other antisocial tendencies are held constant.
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/76940Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science in Psychology.