Differential endophenotypic markers of narcissistic and antisocial personality features: A psychophysiological investigation

This study investigated the differential psychophysiological correlates of narcissistic and antisocial personality features in a college student sample. Skin conductance (SC), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and pre-ejection period (PEP) were monitored while participants watched a countdown to an aversive noise blast and viewed emotionally valenced slides. Results indicated that narcissistic personality features were unrelated to SC reactivity during the countdown, whereas antisocial personality features were negatively related to SC reactivity. Narcissistic personality features were also related to RSA decreases and PEP shortening while viewing happy slides, whereas antisocial personality features were not. Taken together, these findings suggest differential endophenotypic markers of narcissistic and antisocial personality features despite their clinical similarities. 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.