Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Social Psychology Dark Triad Psychopathy

Psychopaths behind the wheel are more likely to drive aggressively and commit traffic violations

by Laura Staloch
November 11, 2022
in Psychopathy

[Subscribe to PsyPost on YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology explored the connection between psychopathic traits, driving behavior, and anger expression while behind the wheel. The results revealed that individuals with psychopathic traits had higher rates of traffic violations and more aggressive driving behavior. In addition, those with lower levels of empathy, greater impulsiveness, and sensation-seeking were more likely to act out aggressively. Furthermore, those with psychopathic traits were less likely to engage in prosocial driving behavior.

Breaking traffic rules and driving aggressively can be dangerous. Those that habitually engage in rule-breaking aggressive behavior on the road are more likely to hurt themselves and others. Marion Karras of Université Paris Nanterre and colleagues were curious if there was a relationship between psychopathic traits, aggression while driving, and whether traffic violations are interrelated. They also associated specific elements of psychopathology and risky driving. These results could lead to developments in driving training and safety education.

The study focused on drivers from France convicted of driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, habitual speeding, or some other significant violation of traffic laws. As a result of their driving behavior, the 1,686 participants were enrolled in a court-ordered driver rehabilitation course. During their rehabilitation course, participants completed several assessments, including a self‐report psychopathy scale, empathy questionnaire, impulsive behavior scale, driving‐related sensation-seeking scale, driver behavior questionnaire, and driving aggression questionnaire. The data from these assessments were analyzed, searching for correlations between the variables in question.

Positive correlations were found between aggressive/risky driving and psychopathic traits. In other words, participants who scored higher in psychopathic traits reported more risky or aggressive driving. Those with psychopathic traits were also more likely to commit traffic violations, be angry while driving and more likely to turn that anger into aggression while driving. In addition, negative correlations were found between psychopathic traits, empathy, and self-control. This result indicates that as individuals score higher on measures of psychopathic traits, they will demonstrate less empathy and self-control.

Karras and colleagues state, “the present findings suggest that having elevated primary psychopathic traits as well as reduced empathic tendencies, high impulsiveness and high driving related sensation seeking, can increase driving offenders risk for dangerous driving outcomes.”

The cross-sectional design of this study prevents any claims of cause and effect. Future longitudinal research, or following the same people over many years, may make results more reliable. The research team recognizes that collecting self-report data from those with psychopathic traits like deceitfulness runs the risk of biased data. But previous research has found that psychopathic individuals are not likely to respond to social desirability. For this reason, Karras and the team have confidence in their data. Finally, the participants were 100% French, and in other cultures, there could be different motivations for risky or aggressive behavior.

This study provides clues to the origins of habitual risky or aggressive driving. In the future, this research may lead to structured training or rehabilitation programs to support drivers with tendencies toward risk or aggression.

The study, “Empathy, impulsiveness, and sensation seeking as mediators between primary psychopathic traits and driving behaviors in French driving offenders“, was authored by Marion Karras, Antonia Csillik, and Patricia Delhomme.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePin3Send

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection linked to cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia

People are less satisfied with their marriage when their partner is not interested in social interactions, study finds

Narcissism and mental health in relationships: Surprising results revealed in new psychology study

Sleep effort mediates the relationship between anxiety and depression, study finds

New research shows link between tropical vacations and improved mental health

Pro-female and anti-male biases are more influential than race and other factors in Implicit Association Tests

RECENT

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Pro-female and anti-male biases are more influential than race and other factors in Implicit Association Tests

Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection linked to cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia

New research shows link between tropical vacations and improved mental health

Narcissism and mental health in relationships: Surprising results revealed in new psychology study

Sleep effort mediates the relationship between anxiety and depression, study finds

Masks hinder our ability to recognize facial expressions of sadness and fear

New research suggests populism and conspiracy mentality are both rooted in a fundamental disposition of distrust

Currently Playing

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Are you a frequent apologizer? New research indicates you might actually reap downstream benefits

Social Psychology
People with dark personality traits are better at finding novel ways to cause damage or harm others

People with dark personality traits are better at finding novel ways to cause damage or harm others

Dark Triad
Exercising in nature produces psychological benefits and measurable changes in brain activity

Exercising in nature produces psychological benefits and measurable changes in brain activity

Cognitive Science
People with social anxiety tend to engage in restrictive “safety behaviors” that make them less likable, study finds

People with social anxiety tend to engage in restrictive “safety behaviors” that make them less likable, study finds

Anxiety
Study helps untangle the complicated relationship between psychopathy and emotional awareness

Study helps untangle the complicated relationship between psychopathy and emotional awareness

Psychopathy
People exposed to phubbing by their romantic partner are less satisfied with their romantic relationship

People exposed to phubbing by their romantic partner are less satisfied with their romantic relationship

Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.