Date of Award
5-2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Psychology
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Reardon, Kathleen
Second Advisor
Goncy, Elizabeth
Third Advisor
Poreh, Amir
Abstract
Despite a large body of research focusing on aggression, it remains a leading problem for youth, and leaves experts struggling to find a fast and reliable approach to identify related traits. Callous-unemotional traits (CU) are viewed as lack of guilt, limited display of emotion, absence of empathy, and the use of others for one’s own gain (Frick et al., 2002; Frick & White, 2008). Researchers have shown a significant correlation between CU traits and aggressive behaviors associated with conduct problems (Essau et al., 2006). Thin slicing (TS) has been defined as quick judgements based on brief excerpts of expressive behavior and is seen as a theoretically valid form of measurement for traits such as personality across adults and youth (Ambady & Rule, 2007; Soto & Tackett, 2015). The TS method has established significant relationships between CU traits and the ‘Big-5’ Personality traits in youth (neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience; Tackett et al., 2017). Although CU traits have been thin sliced in a clinical sample (Tackett et al., 2016), it is not clear to what extent this approach may generalize to a community sample. Similarly, it is unclear whether unacquainted observers can detect evidence of tendencies for aggression in a community sample. Therefore, this study examines the use of the TS assessment method for both CU traits and aggressive behaviors in a community sample of adolescents. Judges were recruited from the community and asked to watch short video clips (“slices”) of youth ages 13-17 (targets) performing various tasks. Each judge rated one slice of six different youth targets and then completed a survey rating the target on various constructs, including CU traits and aggression. Each target was rated by a total of four judges, and TS ratings were compared with self- and parent-report of target personality traits and aggression. Ultimately, the TS approach did not demonstrate utility as a potential screening tool, as unacquainted observers were unable to reliably identify aggression or CU traits.
Recommended Citation
Cook, Sophia V., "Detecting Callous Unemotional Traits in a Community Sample of Adolescents: An Extension of the Thin Slice Assessment Approach" (2023). ETD Archive. 1393.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/etdarchive/1393
