Electrophysiological Correlates of Empathic Processing and its Relation to psychopathic meanness

Objective: A lack of empathy and the presence of predatory tendencies are considered key features of
psychopathic meanness. Previous electrophysiological studies on empathy in relation to psychopathic
traits have focused mainly on empathy for pain; therefore, little is known about the electrophysiological
correlates of empathy in aggressive situations that are particularly relevant for psychopathic meanness.
Method: We employed electroencephalography in a community sample, the majority of whom
had attained a higher level of education. All participants were screened for not having psychiatric
conditions or criminal history. The P3 and late positive potential (LPP) event-related potentials and mu
rhythm suppression were examined as indices of empathic processing during the observation of situations
in which victims of aggression were depicted. Results: As predicted, it was found that persons with
elevated levels of psychopathic meanness scored lower on trait empathy and assigned higher positive
valence to the aggression scenes. It is interesting that those scoring higher on meanness also scored higher
on empathy for the perpetrator. In addition, it was found that psychopathic meanness was negatively
related to LPP amplitudes following pictures of aggressive situations. No significant associations were
found between meanness and the P3 or between meanness and mu suppression. Conclusions: This study
was the first to assess the electrophysiological signature of empathy during the processing of pictures
depicting aggressive situations and the relationships with psychopathic meanness. The outcomes highlight
the need for more integrative approaches to further study the complex pattern of relationships
between empathy and psychopathic meanness