Psychopathy is more common than many people realize and can be difficult to recognize in others. A new study has identified a key sign that someone could be a psychopath – and it’s all in a person’s focus. Researchers performed eye-gazing experiments with over 200 volunteers in the UK. Those with psychopathic tendencies struggled to notice finer details but were good at seeing the bigger picture. For example, in a pub gathering, a psychopath may quickly lose interest in subtle details and get distracted by other things going on. The study was conducted by psychologists at the Australian National University and found that volunteers who scored highly for antisocial behavior had trouble focusing their attention, noticing the large letter first. This suggests a link between antisocial behavior and attentional focus in psychopaths.
Antisocial behavior, egocentricity, and callousness are traits associated with psychopathy. The study found that those who scored highly for antisocial behavior had difficulty focusing their attention, while egocentricity and callousness did not show a noticeable link to attentional expansion or narrowing. This led the researchers to conclude that the tendency to see the bigger picture might only apply to psychopaths with a strong tendency for antisocial behavior. The team used the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale to measure psychopathic traits in the volunteers, asking them to agree or disagree with statements related to antisociality. The researchers are now exploring whether teaching psychopaths how to focus could prevent antisocial behavior. The study was published in Personality and Individual Differences.
Psychopathy is not an official medical diagnosis, but the term often refers to symptoms of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). ASPD is described as a mental health disorder that affects how someone thinks, feels, or relates to others. People with ASPD may be manipulative, deceitful, and reckless, showing a lack of concern for other people’s feelings. ASPD is on a spectrum, ranging from occasional bad behavior to repeated criminal acts. To be diagnosed with ASPD, a person typically has a history of conduct disorder before the age of 15. Seeking help from a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, is recommended for those with ASPD.
A person with ASPD may exhibit signs such as exploiting or manipulating others, lacking remorse, behaving irresponsibly, struggling to maintain relationships, and being unable to control anger. They may also lack guilt, blame others for their problems, and repeatedly break the law. A history of conduct disorder during childhood, including truancy, delinquency, and aggressive behaviors, is common in those with ASPD. It is important to reach out to a mental health professional for an assessment if you suspect you or someone you know may have ASPD. Although the disorder is said to affect more men than women, it is not clear why some people develop it.
Understanding the psychological mechanisms and processes that underpin individual differences in psychopathic traits is crucial for identifying and treating those affected. The researchers at the Australian National University are focused on exploring these dimensions of psychopathic personality traits, including egocentricity, callousness, impulsivity, and antisocial behavior. By studying how attentional focus is influenced by psychopathic tendencies, they hope to develop interventions that can help psychopaths regulate their focus and potentially reduce antisocial behavior. This research contributes to the broader understanding of psychopathy and its impact on individuals and society.
