Executive functions in psychopathy: A meta-analysis of inhibition, planning, shifting, and working memory performance

Much research has focused on executive function (EF) impairments in psychopathy. However, it is still unclear to what extent these deficits are present and, more importantly, which EF domains are impaired. The present meta-analysis answers this question by synthesizing the results of 50 studies involving 5,694 participants from 12 different countries. Using multilevel random-effects models, we pooled effect sizes for four different EF domains: Inhibition, planning, shifting, and working memory. Our analyses yielded small deficits in inhibition and planning performance. However, a closer inspection of psychopathy factors indicated that EF deficits were specific to lifestyle/antisocial traits, with impairments in inhibition, planning, and working memory. In contrast, the interpersonal/affective traits of psychopathy were associated with better shifting performance. These findings suggest that EF deficits are not a key feature of psychopathic individuals per se, but rather are related to antisociality. Implications for future research and treatment as well as suspected prefrontal impairments in psychopathy are discussed.