Examining the triarchic model of psychopathy using revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory

Abstract

Available research suggests the neurobiological systems reflected in Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) are important in etiological conceptualizations of psychopathy, however few studies have utilized the revised RST model (r-RST). Moreover, very little research has examined the associations between r-RST systems and the triarchic psychopathic constructs of boldness, meanness, and disinhibition. Using a recently developed measure of r-RST (Jackson Five; Jackson, 2009), the present study examined the triarchic conceptualization of psychopathy in relation to r-RST in a sample of 301 adult participants. Results suggest that the triarchic construct of boldness is characterized by increased r-BAS activity and deficits in r-FFFS activity; meanness is associated with increased r-BIS and r-Fight activity, and diminished r-BAS, r-Flight, and r-Freeze activity; and, disinhibition is characterized by increased r-BAS, r-Fight, and r-Freeze, with deficits in r-Flight. These results add to our understanding of how the triarchic constructs relate to r-FFFS and r-BAS, however they raise several questions concerning the construct validity of r-BIS as measured by the Jackson Five.