Skin-conductance orienting deficits and increased alcoholism in schizotypal criminals. |
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Authors: | A Raine S Bihrle P H Venables S A Mednick V Pollock |
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Institution: | Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90098-1061, USA. raine@almaak.usc.edu |
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Abstract: | This study tested the interaction hypothesis that a subgroup of criminals with schizotypal personality would show skin-conductance orienting deficits and increased alcoholism. In a prospective, longitudinal study of alcoholism in 134 males, schizotypy was assessed during adolescence, skin-conductance orienting was assessed at ages 18-20 years, and criminal offending and alcohol abuse were assessed at ages 30-33 years. A significant interaction between schizotypy and criminality indicated that schizotypal criminals were characterized by autonomic orienting deficits. Furthermore, the rate of alcoholism in schizotypal criminals (54.8%) was significantly higher than in criminals (23.8%), schizotypal noncriminals (13.9%), and comparisons (21.7%). It is argued that schizotypal criminals are a relatively distinct group and that prefrontal dysfunction may underlie both orienting deficits and alcoholism in this group. |
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