Further Evaluating the Role of Sensation Seeking in the Relationship between Resting Heart Rate and Antisocial Phenotypes in Males and Females

• In Event: Bringing Gender In: Issues in Developmental and Biosocial Criminology

Abstract

Research has found substantial evidence for a link between low resting heart rate and aggression, psychopathy, and antisocial behavior (Ortiz & Raine, 2004; Portnoy & Farrington, 2015). Sensation seeking has been one of the most popular explanations for these relationships. Some studies have found evidence that sensation seeking mediates the relationship between heart rate and antisocial phenotypes for males (Portnoy et al., 2014; Sijtsema et al., 2010). However, no association was found between heart rate and antisocial behavior, nor was a mediating effect of sensation seeking on the two constructs found for females (Sijtsema et al., 2010; Wilson & Scarpa, 2013a). Others suggest that sensation seeking moderates, rather than mediates the heart rate-antisocial behavior relationship (Wilson & Scarpa, 2013b). The current study seeks to expand on existing knowledge by further investigating the role of sensation seeking in the relationship between resting heart rate and aggression, psychopathy, and antisocial behavior in males and females.

Authors

• Nicholas Kavish, Sam Houston State University

• Danielle Boisvert, Sam Houston State University

• Todd Armstrong, University of Nebraska, Omaha