Psychopathy, Fear Arousal and Anticipated Pain

Abstract

The MMPI Pd scale was used to separate Ss into High and Low Pd groups of 10 Ss each. Skin resistance was recorded while the numbers 1 to 12 were consecutively presented on a memory drum, with Ss having been previously informed that an electric shock would be received when 8 appeared. The results indicated that as shock became imminent, the increase in conductance was greater, more rapid, and began earlier for the Low Pd Ss than for the High Pd ones. The results were related to the clinical observation that the psychopathic person is relatively unaffected by the threat of punishment.