Psychopathy dimensions and awareness of negative and positive consequences of aggressive behavior in a nonforensic sample

Predictions derived from the two-factor model of psychopathy were examined. Sixty-three male college students completed measures of primary and secondary psychopathy and then watched either a film displaying overt aggression or a neutral film. After viewing the film, self-report ratings of negative and positive consequences for engaging in aggressive behavior were completed. Participants lower in primary psychopathy reported a greater awareness of negative consequences for aggression after exposure to the aggressive film stimulus compared with similar participants who watched the neutral film. This priming effect was not found for individuals higher in primary psychopathy. Ratings of positive consequences by participants higher in secondary psychopathy were not affected by film condition. However, those of the participants who scored lower in secondary psychopathy showed a priming effect when exposed to the aggressive film stimulus, reaching similar levels as participants higher in secondary psychopathy who were exposed to a neutral film.