A recent study in Personality and Individual Differences explored an intriguing question: how do psychopathic traits relate to religiosity and spirituality, particularly among incarcerated adults?
Previous research with community samples has shown that psychopathy tends to be linked with lower levels of religious or spiritual belief. But would the same hold true in a population with clinical levels of psychopathy?
To find out, researchers studied 137 incarcerated adults (47 men and 90 women). Here’s what they discovered:
Psychopathy and Spirituality Don’t Mix: Overall, there was a strong negative correlation between psychopathic traits and measures of religiosity/spirituality. In short, individuals who scored higher on psychopathy were less likely to identify as religious or spiritual.
The Affective Factor Matters Most: The strongest link was tied to the affective side of psychopathy—traits like lack of empathy, guilt, or remorse. Those who struggled most with these emotional deficits were also the least religious or spiritual.
Gender Differences: Interestingly, the negative correlation was strongest among men. While the overall pattern appeared in both genders, it wasn’t statistically significant when women were analyzed separately.
Why It Matters: The findings reinforce earlier studies while extending them into a prison population. They suggest that individuals with more severe psychopathic traits—especially men with affective dysfunction—are less inclined toward religious or spiritual belief.
Takeaway
This research highlights a consistent theme: psychopathy, particularly its emotional core, seems to sit at odds with religiosity and spirituality. While the reasons for this disconnect aren’t fully understood, it opens up important conversations about the role of empathy, guilt, and connection in shaping spiritual life.
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