Faculty of Psychology, FernUniversität in Hagen (University of Hagen), Hagen, Germany.
J Pers. 2024 Apr;92(2):321-341. doi: 10.1111/jopy.12890. Epub 2023 Nov 6.
Psychopathic traits are associated with abnormalities in fear processing. While traditional theories focus on a lack of fear, Hosker-Field et al. (2016) provided a new perspective. They suggested that individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may experience threatening situations with appreciation or positivity, resulting in reduced negative fear responses and heightened positive responses (fear enjoyment hypothesis, FEH).
Our study aimed to refine Hosker-Field et al.'s (2016) study design, addressing methodological limitations and improving the inconsistent operationalization of fear experience in the literature. In an online sample of 353 participants from the general population, we examined the relationship between the FEH and relevant psychopathic traits, specifically those derived from the PCL-R framework (i.e., SRP 4 Factor 1), and from a more trait-based approach to psychopathy with assumed links to fearlessness (i.e., TriPM Boldness).
By employing linear mixed effect models, we extended Hosker-Field et al.'s correlational analysis and provided further evidence for the FEH, particularly in relation to psychopathic traits measured using the PCL-R framework. The results regarding Boldness, however, are somewhat inconclusive.
The present study enhances existing research on fear deficits in psychopathy by assessing the subjective experience of individuals facing threat.
精神变态特征与恐惧处理异常有关。虽然传统理论侧重于缺乏恐惧，但 Hosker-Field 等人（2016 年）提供了一个新的视角。他们认为，具有较高精神变态特征的个体可能会以欣赏或积极的态度体验威胁性情况，从而导致负面恐惧反应减少和正面反应增强（恐惧享受假说，FEH）。
我们的研究旨在改进 Hosker-Field 等人（2016 年）的研究设计，解决方法学限制并改善文献中恐惧体验的不一致操作性定义。在来自普通人群的 353 名在线参与者的样本中，我们研究了 FEH 与相关精神变态特征之间的关系，特别是那些源自 PCL-R 框架（即，SRP 4 因素 1）的特征，以及与无畏假设相关的更基于特质的精神变态方法（即，TriPM 大胆）。
通过使用线性混合效应模型，我们扩展了 Hosker-Field 等人的相关分析，并为 FEH 提供了进一步的证据，特别是与使用 PCL-R 框架测量的精神变态特征有关。然而，关于大胆的结果有些不确定。
本研究通过评估个体面对威胁时的主观体验，增强了精神变态中恐惧缺陷的现有研究。
