Abstract
Several theories of psychopathy link it to an egocentric mode of perceiving the world. This explanatory perspective is quite
plausible given that psychopaths are viewed as callous, uncaring, and narcissistic. This explanatory perspective, though,
has been an insufficient focus of research, particularly in basic cognitive tasks. Building on the work of Wapner and Werner
(1957), an implicit measure of cognitive egocentrism was developed. Continuous variations in primary and secondary psychopathy
were assessed in a sample of college undergraduates (N = 80). Individuals high in primary psychopathy exhibited cognitive egocentrism, whereas individuals low in primary psychopathy
did not. On the other hand, variations in secondary psychopathy were non-predictive of performance in the task. Results are
discussed in terms of theories of psychopathy, distinctions between its primary and secondary components, and the utility
of modeling egocentrism in basic cognitive terms.
plausible given that psychopaths are viewed as callous, uncaring, and narcissistic. This explanatory perspective, though,
has been an insufficient focus of research, particularly in basic cognitive tasks. Building on the work of Wapner and Werner
(1957), an implicit measure of cognitive egocentrism was developed. Continuous variations in primary and secondary psychopathy
were assessed in a sample of college undergraduates (N = 80). Individuals high in primary psychopathy exhibited cognitive egocentrism, whereas individuals low in primary psychopathy
did not. On the other hand, variations in secondary psychopathy were non-predictive of performance in the task. Results are
discussed in terms of theories of psychopathy, distinctions between its primary and secondary components, and the utility
of modeling egocentrism in basic cognitive terms.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-012-9459-2
- Authors
- Konrad Bresin, Psychology Department, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 603 East Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
- Ryan L. Boyd, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
- Scott Ode, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
- Michael D. Robinson, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916