The Influence of Impulsivity on the Empathy-Criminality Relationship

• In Event: Assessing the Interrelated Nature of Psychopathic Traits and Self-Control on Victimization and Antisocial Behavior

Abstract

This study tests associations between empathy, impulsivity, and self-reported criminality. Empathy may be linked to criminal behavior when those with low empathy are free to act without cognitively or affectively experiencing others emotional states (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2004; Jolliffe & Farrington, 2007). Empirical research supports these theoretical links, with two meta-analyses showing empathy is associated with criminal behavior (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2004; van Langen et al., 2014). There is a dearth of literature, however, concerning how empathy interacts with other traits. There is a possibility that the association between empathy and crime is conditioned impulsivity. There is research that suggests that the empathy and crime relationship is moderated by impulsivity (Hirtenlehner et al., 2021). In order to further our understanding of the linkage between empathy and crime, the current work tests these associations in a large sample of undergraduates (n = 872) using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1980; 1983), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11; Patton et al., 1995) and a measure of self-reported offending. The work will examine the empathy-crime association and the influence of impulsivity on the empathy-crime association as both a moderating and mediating variable.

Authors

• Dakota Schroll, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Todd Armstrong, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Danielle Boisvert, Sam Houston State University

• Jessica Wells, Boise State University

• Richard H. Lewis, University of Arkansas at Little Rock