CORTICAL AND AUTONOMIC AROUSAL IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PSYCHOPATHS

Abnormal offenders were classified as primary or secondary psychopaths, or as conforming or inhibited nonpsychopaths by means of empirically derived dimensions of psychopathy and social withdrawal. Measures of electrocortical, electrodermal, and cardiovascular activity were taken during rest, during repeated auditory stimulation, and during the cold pressor test. Psychopaths were not significantly differentiated from nonpsychopaths, but several differences were found between primary and secondary psychopaths. Primary psychopaths were more aroused cortically and electrodermally, and showed less rapid adaptation and habituation. Secondary psychopaths were the least aroused and showed signs of increasing drowsiness with repetitive stimulation. Secondary psychopaths in this study performed like primary or undifferentiated psychopaths in other reports, and possible explanations are discussed. The high arousal of primary psychopaths is not consistent with current theories of psychopathy, and attention to the relationship between psychopathy and the labelling of arousal is suggested. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved