Belief in conspiracy theories: The predictive role of schizotypy, Machiavellianism, and primary psychopathy

Belief in conspiracy theories: The predictive role of schizotypy, Machiavellianism, and primary psychopathy

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Evita March , Jordan Springer   Published: December 3, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225964 Abstract A conspiracy theory refers to an alternative explanation of an event involving a conspirator plot organised by powerful people or organisations. Belief in conspiracy theories is related to negative societal outcomes such as poor medical decisions and a decrease in prosocial behaviour. Given these negative outcomes, researchers have explored predictors of belief in conspiracy theories in an attempt to understand and possibly manage…

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Counterfactual Reasoning Deficits in Schizophrenia Patients

Counterfactual Reasoning Deficits in Schizophrenia Patients

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Fernando Contreras , Auria Albacete , Pere Castellví, Agnès Caño, Bessy Benejam, José Manuel Menchón Published: February 1, 2016 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0148440 Abstract Background Counterfactual thinking is a specific type of conditional reasoning that enables the generation of mental simulations of alternatives to past factual events. Although it has been broadly studied in the general population, research on schizophrenia is still scarce. The aim of the current study was to further examine counterfactual reasoning in this illness….

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Externalizing personality characteristics define clinically relevant subgroups of alcohol use disorder

Externalizing personality characteristics define clinically relevant subgroups of alcohol use disorder

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Ildikó Kovács , Bernadett I. Gál , Zsolt Horváth, Ildikó Demeter, Sándor Rózsa, Zoltán Janka, Róbert Urbán, Zsolt Demetrovics, Bálint Andó Published: March 18, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265577 Abstract Aims Higher levels of externalizing characteristics, i.e. impulsivity, novelty seeking and aggression, could contribute to the development, progression and severity of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The present study aims to explore whether these externalizing characteristics together have a potential group-forming role in AUD using latent profile analysis (LPA)….

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Depersonalization Disorder: Disconnection of Cognitive Evaluation from Autonomic Responses to Emotional Stimuli

Depersonalization Disorder: Disconnection of Cognitive Evaluation from Autonomic Responses to Emotional Stimuli

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Matthias Michal , Ansgar Koechel, Marco Canterino, Julia Adler, Iris Reiner, Gerhard Vossel, Manfred E. Beutel, Matthias Gamer Published: September 13, 2013 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0074331 Abstract Background Patients with depersonalization disorder (DPD) typically complain about emotional detachment. Previous studies found reduced autonomic responsiveness to emotional stimuli for DPD patients as compared to patients with anxiety disorders. We aimed to investigate autonomic responsiveness to emotional auditory stimuli of DPD patients as compared to patient controls. Furthermore, we examined…

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Personal distress as a mediator between self-esteem, self-efficacy, loneliness and problematic video gaming in female and male emerging adult gamers

Personal distress as a mediator between self-esteem, self-efficacy, loneliness and problematic video gaming in female and male emerging adult gamers

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Andrzej Cudo , Natalia Kopiś , Emilia Zabielska-Mendyk Published: December 10, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226213 Abstract The aim of our research was to investigate the predictors of Problematic Video Gaming (PVG) in emerging adulthood. From among the factors which were considered significant in previous studies, we decided to include the following in our research: empathy, self-esteem, self-efficacy and loneliness. Additionally, we wanted to examine which predictors have a direct or indirect effect on PVG in female and…

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Deliberate self-harm behavior among young violent offenders

Deliberate self-harm behavior among young violent offenders

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Natalie Laporte , Andrejs Ozolins, Sofie Westling, Åsa Westrin, Eva Billstedt, Björn Hofvander, Märta Wallinius Published: August 17, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182258 Abstract Deliberate self-harm behavior (DSH) can have profound effects on a person’s quality of life, and challenges the health care system. Even though DSH has been associated with aggressive interpersonal behaviors, the knowledge on DSH in persons exhibiting such behaviors is scarce. This study aims to (1) specify the prevalence and character of DSH, (2)…

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Elevated empathy in adults following childhood trauma

Elevated empathy in adults following childhood trauma

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article David M. Greenberg , Simon Baron-Cohen, Nora Rosenberg, Peter Fonagy, Peter J. Rentfrow Published: October 3, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203886 Abstract Traumatic events increase the risk of depression, but there is also evidence that adversity can lead to posttraumatic growth, including increased compassion and prosocial behavior. To date there is no empirical research pinpointing childhood trauma to an increase in trait empathy in adulthood. Although somewhat counter-intuitive, this might be predicted if trauma not only increases fear…

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Anger under Control: Neural Correlates of Frustration as a Function of Trait Aggression

Anger under Control: Neural Correlates of Frustration as a Function of Trait Aggression

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Christina M. Pawliczek , Birgit Derntl, Thilo Kellermann, Ruben C. Gur, Frank Schneider, Ute Habel Published: October 18, 2013 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078503 Abstract Antisocial behavior and aggression are prominent symptoms in several psychiatric disorders including antisocial personality disorder. An established precursor to aggression is a frustrating event, which can elicit anger or exasperation, thereby prompting aggressive responses. While some studies have investigated the neural correlates of frustration and aggression, examination of their relation to trait aggression in…

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Psychopathy, pain, and pain empathy: A psychophysiological study

Psychopathy, pain, and pain empathy: A psychophysiological study

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Sophie Alshukri , Minna Lyons, Victoria Blinkhorn, Luna Muñoz , Nicholas Fallon Published: July 5, 2024 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306461 Abstract The present study examined whether people higher in psychopathy experienced less self-reported and psychophysiological nociceptive pressure than people lower in psychopathy. We also examined whether psychopathy affects empathy for others’ pain via self-reported and psychophysiological measures. Three hundred and sixty-nine students (18–78 years; M = 26, SD = 9.34) were screened for psychopathic traits using the Youth…

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Impaired processing of threat in psychopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of factorial data in male offender populations

Impaired processing of threat in psychopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of factorial data in male offender populations

Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article Petya Kozhuharova, Hannah Dickson, John Tully, Nigel Blackwood Published: October 29, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224455 Abstract Background Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterised by two underlying factors. Factor 1 (affective and interpersonal deficits) captures affective deficits, whilst Factor 2 (antisocial and impulsive/disorganised behaviours) captures life course persistent antisocial behaviours. Impaired processing of threat has been proposed as an aetiologically salient factor in the development of psychopathy, but the relationship of this impairment to the factorial structure of…

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