The Nature and Nurture of Callous-Unemotional Traits. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hyde, Luke W.; Dotterer, Hailey L.
• Is Part Of: Current directions in psychological science. Volume 31:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 546
• Page End: 555
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: callous-unemotional traits -- antisocial behavior -- developmental psychopathology -- behavior genetics -- psychopathy -- parenting; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1177/09637214221121302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-7214

Abstract

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits, a risk factor for psychopathy, delineate youths with relatively low empathy and guilt, and identify youths with high risk for chronic and severe antisocial behavior (e.g., rule breaking, aggression). We describe work identifying nature and nurture influences on the development of CU traits. Additionally, we clarify the relationship between CU traits and psychopathy, highlight potential misinterpretations of findings on influences of "nature" versus "nurture, " and discuss treatment implications.