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Assessing theory of mind in relation to dark personality traits (D factor) in offenders

Fri, September 13, 8:00 to 9:15am, Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest, Floor: Basement, Room 0.11

Abstract

The role of theory of mind (ToM) deficits as potential risk factors for aggressive, violent, antisocial behaviors was largely investigated across different clinical samples, but received less attention in relation to convicted offenders.
We aimed to explore the associations between the Dark Factor of personality, dark traits and first and second order ToM skills, across a community sample (N = 88) and a group of inmates (N = 173), convicted for different types of offences (sexual offences, property offences, violent crimes with different levels of aggression).
Results indicated that inmates, regardless of their crime, performed worse than the general population in first order ToM tasks, while no differences were observed in second order ToM abilities. Surprisingly, the total Dark Factor score was similar across both populations, and inmates reported overall higher levels of only two aversive traits (Narcissism and Sadism) when compared to participants from the community. Across both prison and general populations, we observed an inverse relationship between first order ToM abilities and the Dark Factor. Although second order ToM skills were not linked to the Dark Factor, they were inversely associated with some dark traits such as Narcissism and Sadism, as well as Crudelia (only in the general population).
A more refined analysis of first and second order ToM abilities across different types of offences, while controlling for cognitive abilities of participants, revealed interesting results. While first order ToM capacities were similar in all participants, regardless of the crime they committed, sexual offenders performed worse in advanced ToM tasks than the general population and the inmates convicted for property and violent crimes.
These results highlight the necessity of addressing ToM deficits in relations with various dark traits, accordingly to different types of offences, with direct impact on risk assessment and rehabilitation strategies.

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