University of Mississippi Study Links Psychopathy Traits to Distinct Writing Patterns
Researchers found boldness, meanness and disinhibition each show up differently in the words people use, from anxiety terms to drug references.
Researchers Ky Bray and Laura Drislane at the University of Mississippi published a study in the journal Personality and Individual Differences analyzing how psychopathy traits affect language use, according to zdnet.co.kr.
The study measured psychopathy traits in 451 participants, including 307 university students and 144 people with prison experience, using the TriPM survey. Participants were asked to write essays about the best moment, worst moment, and turning point in their lives.
People high in boldness used significantly fewer anxiety-related words such as worry, fear, scared and anxious. People high in meanness used almost no negative emotion words like bad, hate, hurt and tired, even when describing major life turning points.
People high in disinhibition used far more negative language and fewer positive outcomes even when describing their best moments or turning points, and mentioned drug- and alcohol-related words such as beer, wine, drunk and cigarette more often when describing worst moments.
Background
Psychopathy is not an official DSM diagnosis; criminology instead describes it through the Triarchic model combining boldness, disinhibition and meanness. The study was reported by foreign outlets including ScienceAlert on the 9th, local time.
Quick answers
What traits did the University of Mississippi study examine?
The study looked at boldness, meanness and disinhibition, measured through the TriPM survey.
How many people took part in the study?
451 participants took part, including 307 university students and 144 people with prison experience.
Where was the study published?
It was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.