Exploring the Relationship Between Cognitive Abilities and Adaptive Components of Psychopathic Traits

Although multiple studies have suggested a negative relationship between psychopathic traits and cognitive abilities, a few identified positive associations between psychopathic traits and specific executive functions. This study examined the relationship between a set of cognitive functions and the adaptive traits associated with psychopathic personality. Participants (N = 107) completed measures of psychopathic traits and adaptive personality traits, as well as a series of cognitive-ability-based tasks (measures of working memory, response inhibition, cognitive discrimination, and long-term memory). Results showed that adaptive psychopathic traits were associated with faster response times on measures of working memory, cognitive discrimination, and long-term recall. In contrast, psychopathic traits related to impulsivity were associated with slower response times in incongruent trials of measures of cognitive discrimination and short-term recall. Higher levels of adaptive and psychopathic traits related to fearlessness and dominance were associated with better performance in a working memory task without sacrificing accuracy for speed. These findings further support the multidimensionality of psychopathy; whereas its maladaptive traits are related to cognitive impairments, its adaptive traits seem to be related to cognitive superiority.