Dimensions of psychopathy and their relationships to cognitive functioning in children

Nathalie Fontaine*, Edward Barker, Randall T. Salekin, Essi Viding

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Individuals with psychopathic traits are hypothesized to be free of intellectual deficits and possibly even to exhibit good cognitive abilities. Previous studies, based on clinical and incarcerated youth, have shown inconsistent findings. We investigated the relationships between different dimensions of psychopathy (callous/unemotional traits, narcissism, impulsivity) and cognitive abilities in a large population-based sample of children (age 9, N=4,713). Findings indicated a positive relationship between narcissism and both verbal and nonverbal abilities, even after accounting for conduct problems and hyperactivity. Callous/unemotional traits and impulsivity were negatively related to both types of cognitive abilities but did not remain significant after accounting for conduct problems and hyperactivity. Interactions between gender and the dimensions of psychopathy were not significant.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)690-696
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Volume37
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Keywords

  • INTELLIGENCE
  • TRAITS
  • DIFFICULTIES QUESTIONNAIRE
  • CHILDHOOD
  • ASSOCIATION
  • BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS
  • AGGRESSION
  • TWINS EARLY DEVELOPMENT
  • VIOLENCE
  • MULTIVARIATE

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Fontaine, N., Barker, E., Salekin, R. T., & Viding, E. (2008). Dimensions of psychopathy and their relationships to cognitive functioning in children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 37(3), 690-696. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374410802148111