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Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
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Neurophysiological indicators of emotional processing in youth psychopathy

Lucía Halty Barrutieta and María Prieto-Ursúa

Universidad Pontificia Comillas

Background: Research with psychopathic samples using the technique of evoked potentials is rather limited and almost exclusively concerned with the study of the P300 component; no studies have been found (to date) that assess shorter wave latencies. This research focuses on the emotional and attentional processes in young people with psychopathic characteristics, using the evoked potential technique in short-wave latency (N100). Method: The experimental group consisted of 22 subjects; all of them met the psychopathic criteria of the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD) and the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV). The control sample consisted of 25 subjects, all of them scoring less than 15 points in APSD. Results: In the experimental group, the mechanisms responsible for processing the pleasant stimulation responded earlier and with more intensity (on the N100); premium positivity bias on negativity. Conclusions: This emotional deficit found in the literature on psychopathy in adults is also found in young people.

Indicadores neurofisiológicos de procesamiento emocional en psicopatía juvenil. Antecedentes: en el campo de la psicopatía muy pocos estudios se han centrado en usar la técnica de potenciales evocados, y los pocos que hay han estudiado casi exclusivamente el componente P300, no encontrándose casi estudios sobre ondas de latencia corta. Este artículo estudia los procesos emocionales y atencionales presentes en jóvenes con características psicopáticas, utilizando la técnica de potenciales evocados en ondas de latencia corta ((N100). Método: el grupo experimental estuvo formado por 22 varones, todos ellos cumpliendo los criterios del Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD) y de la Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV). El grupo control estaba formado por 25 varones con puntuaciones inferiores a 15 puntos en el APSD. Resultados: el grupo experimental respondió más pronto y con más intensidad (en la N100) ante la estimulación placentera, primando el sesgo de la negatividad. Conclusiones: se observa en jóvenes el mismo déficit emocional que se encuentra en la psicopatía adulta.

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