Cited by 127Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Low cortisol levels and the balance between punishment sensitivity and reward dependency

Honk, Jack van, Schutter, Dennis J. L. G., Hermans, Erno J., Putman, Peter·2003·NeuroReport

Abstract

The neuro-endocrinological basis of psychopathy, a disorder characterized by lack of fear, is relatively unknown. However, low levels of cortisol may result in fearlessness and have been observed in individuals with psychopathic tendencies. Low fear models state that psychopaths are not motivated to avoid punishment, especially when reward is pending. In agreement, disadvantageous decision making on the IOWA gambling task in psychopaths and psychopathic analogous, indicates low punishment sensitivity and high reward dependency. Here, it was investigated whether low basal cortisol levels predicted the balance between punishment sensitivity and reward dependency in the same manner. As hypothesized, the most disadvantageous pattern of decision making was found in the subjects with the lowest cortisol levels. These findings suggest that low levels of cortisol may set the balance between the sensitivity for punishment and reward dependency towards a pre-disposition for psychopathy.

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Crossref · 10.1097/00001756-200310270-00023

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  • HPA functioning has been linked to risk-taking behavior in standardized laboratory tasks.

    “HPA functioning has also been linked to risk-taking behavior in standardized laboratory tasks (e.g., Lighthall et al., 2009; van den Bos et al., 2009; van Honk, 2003)”

    From The Adaptive Calibration Model of stress responsivity (2011) · cites this paper as van Honk, 2003

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Authors
Honk, J. V., Schutter, D. J. L. G., Hermans, E. J., & Putman, P.
Affiliations
Utrecht University (NL)
Venue
NeuroReport
Published
2003-10
Volume
14
Issue
15
Pages
1993-1996
ISSN
0959-4965 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2093934127
Cited by
127
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 12
FWCI
6.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neuroreport (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
cortisol, psychopathy, punishment sensitivity, fearlessness, Iowa Gambling Task, risk aversion, decision-making, neuroendocrinology
MeSH terms
Adult, Circadian Rhythm, Conditioning, Operant, Decision Making, Female, Gambling, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Motivation, Psychopathology, Punishment, Reward

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