Reconciling discrepant findings for P3 brain response in criminal psychopathy through reference to the concept of externalizing proneness

Psychophysiology. 2014 May;51(5):427-36. doi: 10.1111/psyp.12189. Epub 2014 Mar 3.

Abstract

We sought to address inconsistencies in the literature on amplitude of P3 brain potential response in offenders diagnosed with psychopathy. These inconsistencies contrast with the reliable finding of reduced P3 in relation to externalizing tendencies, which overlap with impulsive-antisocial features of psychopathy, as distinguished from the affective-interpersonal features. Employing a sample of incarcerated male offenders (N = 154) who completed the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised along with a three-stimulus visual oddball task, we tested the hypothesis that impulsive-antisocial features of psychopathy would selectively exhibit an inverse relationship with P3 amplitude. Clear support for this hypothesis was obtained. Our findings clarify the discrepant findings regarding psychopathy and P3, and establish P3 as a neurophysiological point of contact between psychopathy and externalizing proneness from the broader psychopathology literature.

Keywords: Antisocial behavior; EEG/ERP; Externalizing; P3; Psychopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / physiopathology
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology*
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Crime / psychology*
  • Criminals / psychology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult