December 2018 PMID 29752216

Primary and Secondary Variants of Psychopathy in a Volunteer Sample Are Associated With Different Neurocognitive Mechanisms.

Arjun Sethi, Eamon McCrory, Vanessa Puetz, Ferdinand Hoffmann, Annchen R Knodt, Spenser R Radtke, Bartholomew D Brigidi, Ahmad R Hariri, Essi Viding

Download social card

Mentions

Peak: 9 in Oct 2024

across 3 sources since Aug 2019

Extended reach

269,912

potential audience

Total likes

5,856

Video views

235,055

Mentions per month

Aug 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter28 posts
News5 articles
YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group demonstrates strong interest, as seen in posts describing the study as 'fascinating' and discussing neurocognitive mechanisms such as brain activity differences; the tone ranges from curiosity to tentative support, with some users referencing the potential implications for mental health understanding, reflecting a moderate level of engagement and perceived impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many discussions acknowledge the findings, with some expressing curiosity or validation, indicating general support.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high curiosity about the distinctions between primary and secondary psychopathy, referencing new concepts and neurocognitive mechanisms.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts delve into interpretations of the research, mentioning neurocognitive mechanisms and implications, but many remain superficial or casual.

ImpactModerate impact

Some discussions suggest the research could influence understanding or treatment of psychopathy, though most reactions are exploratory rather than transformative.

Abstract in brief

The study distinguishes between primary and secondary psychopathy, where primary is linked to low anxiety and genetic factors, while secondary is associated with high anxiety and environmental influences.
The research found that primary psychopathy is associated with decreased activity in brain areas like the amygdala and insula when processing fear, whereas secondary psychopathy shows reduced activity in different regions such as the superior temporal sulcus and thalamus.
Both groups show less activation in the anterior cingulate cortex during fear processing, but during anger processing, the secondary group has decreased activity compared to the primary group, indicating different neurocognitive mechanisms underlying each psychopathic subtype.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Differentiating Primary and Secondary Psychopathy Neurocognitive Mechanisms

This study distinguishes primary and secondary psychopathy, linking primary to low anxiety and genetic factors, and secondary to high anxiety and environmental influences. It highlights different brain activity patterns…

Prof. Sam Vaknin · Sep 30, 2024 226,698 views

Understanding Psychopathy and Conscience Absence in Toxic Individuals

This video explores the psychology of individuals lacking conscience, empathy, or remorse. It examines how toxic people hide their true nature, their manipulation tactics, and the challenges they pose in relationships…

Támara Hill, MS NCC CCTP LPC · Oct 26, 2025 5,801 views

Understanding Toxic Family Dynamics and the Dark Triad Psychology

Relationships can be difficult, especially within toxic family environments. This video explores the psychology of the dark triad personality traits and their impact on relationships, focusing on primary and secondary…

Támara Hill, MS NCC CCTP LPC · Jun 21, 2025 2,556 views

old maiden type of shoes

@singleplysux · X

@cowboylikebaird @superkeara https://t.co/v6mUEFZ7pS 90th percentile on secondary = not your fault! Lmao

Oct 15, 2025 · 18 followers View post →

Dré Mcfleuve

@dremcfleuve · X

@StefanMolyneux I watched this video about secondary Psychopathy and it shed some light on these people https://t.co/f6UwUt4lCF

Oct 15, 2025 · 1 like · 433 followers View post →

Eudaemon

@myopiniondog · X

NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Seco... https://t.co/TYHCBOGQPV

Oct 6, 2025 · 957 followers View post →

DuhareWolf

@CascaYouVillain · X

@primalpoly triad is old, there are Larger Groups now https://t.co/fMMCfNlvFC

Oct 1, 2025 · 233 followers View post →

Professor Sam Vaknin

@samvaknin · X

NEW VIDEO NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Secondary F2 Literature Review) https://t.co/FsHqpwCzpy

Sep 22, 2025 · 1 like · 9,106 followers View post →

Lars Outzen

@larsoutzen · X

@PatriciaNPino "normal" humans don't hate each other? only mentally ill humans fear & hate each other - can happen to tribes & genders as well (chronic problem!) (secondary) psychopathy is a compensatory mechanism for anxiety https://t.co/wgjRCv4BF1 except if you ask google vs autistic 6:51

Sep 11, 2025 · 269 followers View post →

Saidan's Wanderings

@Saidan_W · X

RT @GXDDDOG: https://t.co/QFVOFCNNyn

Aug 1, 2025 · 1 share · 109 followers View post →

Earth420

@Tara99377976 · X

https://t.co/p05ynqdD4X

May 18, 2025 · 90 followers View post →

EpitomeTheBurnkid (OK, Copernicus/473x4ndr14)

@BurnkidV · X

NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Seco... https://t.co/ms5VjbN2OT via @YouTube

May 14, 2025 · 1,508 followers View post →

MeraltrTr

@MeraltrTr · X

NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Seco... https://t.co/jjNBNf2kqu via @YouTube

Dec 23, 2024 · 980 followers View post →

sAidan trashbird wanderer

@GXDDDOG · X

https://t.co/QFVOFCNNyn

Nov 12, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 52 followers View post →

sAidan trashbird wanderer

@GXDDDOG · X

https://t.co/QFVOFCNfIP

Nov 12, 2024 · 52 followers View post →

Eudaemon

@myopiniondog · X

NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Seco... https://t.co/pF7Ir70Lp3

Nov 2, 2024 · 957 followers View post →

Rostov_Butcher

@Rostov_Butcher · X

https://t.co/rhMTSOqVQH fascinating stuff

Nov 2, 2024 · 143 followers View post →

VisibleTrouble

@VisibleTrouble · X

@ConceptualJames Heh… must be a new move: https://t.co/D1vkyM4KeV Just got this served up… good piece on covert Depathologization.

Oct 29, 2024 · 623 followers View post →

Sui.Generis

@SG3neris · X

NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Secondary F2 Literature Review) https://t.co/MGtkwwZ17i via @YouTube

Oct 27, 2024 · 1 like · 1,795 followers View post →

Nahid Alaei

@NadineAlan1 · X

https://t.co/An0PkSjmX7

Oct 23, 2024 · 93 followers View post →

Крејзи Кет Лејди

@nevroticna · X

"If the child is spoiled, pampered, overprotected, that is adversity, a form of abuse, if a child is not allowed to separate from the parent, that's abuse, if the child is instrumentalized in order to realize the expectations of the parent - that's abuse" https://t.co/ktd1c8hr9U

Oct 21, 2024 · 6,351 followers View post →

Dré Mcfleuve

@dremcfleuve · X

https://t.co/dYBmGytbYs

Oct 17, 2024 · 433 followers View post →

Mary Christine Lisether

@FrkTeigen · X

NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Seco... https://t.co/9nU4v590aV via @YouTube

Oct 17, 2024 · 6,521 followers View post →

memento mori

@piromalli_rocco · X

Secondary psychopath : ashamed, empathic, anxious. I think that might be aspergers. These fucking morons just make this shit up as they go along. https://t.co/Bl0gGi8jsM

Oct 12, 2024 · 4 followers View post →

みんみん

@minmin03hell02 · X

ファーストサイコパスとセカンドサイコパス PCL-R等について見てみた。論文も読んでいないのでざっくり。恥と不安のコラボ状態。（(

Oct 9, 2024 · 384 followers View post →

Jenji

@J3NJyi · X

Wake up, babe, new psychopath just dropped https://t.co/BtNSgpk2SH

Oct 1, 2024 · 4 likes · 2,603 followers View post →

Paul Souverein

@PSouverein · X

NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Seco... https://t.co/9oowtIUzli via @YouTube

Sep 30, 2024 · 428 followers View post →

Paul Souverein

@PSouverein · X

NEW Psychopath: Ashamed, Empathic, Anxious (Primary Factor 1 F1 vs. Seco... https://t.co/3yZ6KMnGR0 via @YouTube

Sep 30, 2024 · 428 followers View post →

William DeGraaf

@skim_milk · X

https://t.co/uGIGPiILFr Paradigm shift: secondary psychopaths are anxious, experience shame. All psychopaths are capable of cold and even affective (emotional) empathy. Overt, grandiose narcissists may actually be secondary or primary psychopaths.

Sep 30, 2024 · 166 followers View post →

Minimal Claydough

@MinClaydough · X

https://t.co/IdCKT1xy9D

Sep 30, 2024 · 14 followers View post →

Hazel

@take_daily · X

Primary and Secondary Variants of Psychopathy in a Volunteer Sample Are Associated With Different Neurocognitive Mechanisms. https://t.co/5tnhhezyKH

Aug 30, 2019 · 104 followers View post →