Psychopathy and heroism in first responders: Traits cut from the same cloth?

Abstract

Some scholars have posited that certain traits associated with psychopathy-namely, fearlessness, boldness, and willingness to take risks-are associated with greater engagement in heroic and altruistic acts; nevertheless, this conjecture has received little empirical attention. We examined the relations among psychopathic traits, heroism, altruism, workplace deviance, and leadership in first-responder (n = 138) and civilian (n = 104) samples recruited by means of an online platform. Across samples, fearless dominance, boldness, sensation seeking, and several other psychopathy-related variables were positively and significantly associated with everyday heroism and altruism. First responders scored significantly higher than did civilians on measures of psychopathy, fearlessness, boldness, heroism, and altruism, and reported significantly greater workplace deviance and participation in leadership activities. Our results support previous suggestions of ties between psychopathic traits, especially fearlessness and heroism, although they leave unresolved the question of why certain antisocial and prosocial behaviors appear to covary. (PsycINFO Database Record

An investigation of the relationship between psychopathy and greater gray matter density in lateral prefrontal cortex

“…We accomplished this goal by examining the VLPFC gray matter density of Personality Neuroscience another "successful" population (i.e., undergraduate students) alongside their levels of primary and secondary psychopathy. Based on evidence suggesting the adaptive potential of primary psychopathy traits (Anestis, Harrop, Green, & Anestis, 2017;Lilienfeld et al, 2015;Patton et al, 2017;Smith et al, 2014), we hypothesized that primary, and not secondary, psychopathy traits would be positively associated with VLPFC gray matter density.…”

“…A third important limitation is that the present studies did not account for boldness (i.e., LSRP and SD3), which provides an impetus for further exploration into how the left and right VLPFC are uniquely related to each component of psychopathy. Low disinhibition and boldness tend to be significantly associated with primary psychopathy within "successful" populations (Berg, Lilienfeld, & Sellbom, 2017;Patton et al, 2017). A relatively large body of research has accumulated that suggests a vital role of boldness in the development of "successful" psychopathy (Lilienfeld et al, 2015;Patrick et al, 2009).…”

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Psychopathy and Greater Gray Matter Density in Lateral Prefrontal Cortex

“…Despite the wealth of literature on psychopathy in incarcerated populations, there is also considerable evidence suggesting that primary and secondary psychopathic traits exist along a spectrum throughout the general population (Falkenbach et al, 2008;Miller, Maples-Keller, & Lynam, 2016;Neumann & Hare, 2008;Patton, Smith, & Lilienfeld, 2017;Smith, Watts, & Lilienfeld, 2014). Reflecting the continuous nature of PSYCHOPATHY AND GRAY MATTER 7 the construct, psychopathy has been mapped onto the Five Factor Model of personality, the 'gold standard' measurement of stable dispositional personality tendencies (Lynam & Widiger, 2007;Miller & Lynam, 2003;Miller, Lynam, Widiger, & Leukefeld, 2001).…”

“…We accomplished this goal by examining the VLPFC gray matter density of another 'successful' population (i.e., undergraduate students) alongside their levels of primary and secondary psychopathy. Based on evidence suggesting the adaptive potential of primary psychopathy traits (Anestis, Harrop, Green, & Anestis, 2017;Lilienfeld et al, 2015;Patton et al, 2017;Smith et al, 2014), we hypothesized that primary, and not secondary, psychopathy traits would be positively associated with VLPFC gray matter density.…”

“…Low disinhibition and boldness tend to be significantly associated with primary psychopathy within 'successful' populations (Berg, Lilienfeld, & Sellbom, 2017;Patton et al, 2017). A relatively large body of research has accumulated that suggests a vital role of boldness in the development of 'successful' psychopathy (Lilienfeld et al, 2015;Patrick et al, 2009).…”