Psychopathy and arousal: a new interpretation of the psychophysiological literature.
The psychophysiological literature on psychopathy is reviewed in the context of low-arousal theory. Difficulties in the theory are discussed both in general terms and specifically in relation to psychopathy. Contrary to the low-arousal theory, the data indicate that psychopaths exhibit a wider degree of variability in arousal levels and reactivity than normal indiciduals. A more accurate model of the disorder might be one in which psychopaths display a faster rate and a greater magnitude of change in physiological and behavioral activity than normals. It is suggested that psychopathy might be usefully viewed as a biochemical disturbance manifested in abnormal oscillations in neurotransmitter functioning, autonomic activity, and behavior. The literature is reexamined in light of this hypothesis, and a number of avenues for further research are discussed.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D011603:Psychophysiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D000109:Acetylcholine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine