American researchers have developed an algorithm capable of detecting psychopathic traits through the position of the head of individuals during questioning. A method that corroborates other studies on the indices of non-verbal behaviors associated with deviant personalities.
How do you recognize a psychopath? In the posture of his head during an interrogation, according to American researchers at the University of New Mexico. They have developed a artificial intelligence able to interpret head movements of individuals during forensic examination. Researchers sifted through video recordings of interviews conducted in prison with 507 male inmates between the ages of 18 and 62. Psychopathic traits were characterized using a test called Dr. Hare’s Revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R), which assesses an individual’s psychopathic or asocial tendencies. This method, which is a benchmark in the medical-scientific field, is used in particular to diagnose psychopaths in prisons or psychiatric hospitals.
Psychopathic individuals tend to look directly at the camera and tilt their head less
The algorithm thus highlighted a “strong correlation” between psychopathic traits and certain non-verbal cues, such as keeping a more stationary head during interviews. ” We observe in particular that psychopathic individuals tend to look at the camera straight and staring, and less inclined to tilt their head “, Note the authors in their study published in the Journal of Research in Personality. « People with behavior antisocial diverse, serious and persistent exhibit a more rigid and focused orientation of their head during interrogation », They continue.
Eye movement, eye blinking and facial expression
This is not the first time that researchers have tried to detect psychopathy through non-verbal cues. As early as 900 BC, it had been noticed that people gifted with deception exhibited excessive agitation, the study recalls. Other research has linked psychopathic behavior to variation in movements eye, blinking, or hand gestures. An American psychiatrist also claimed to be able to detect psychopathy through some facial microexpressions.
But the analysis, like the quantification of these signals, is often suggestive and subject to interpretation bias. The use ofartificial intelligence would therefore allow a more reliable approach and diagnosis, argue the authors. Video analysis has, for example, been used to detect depressive and suicidal tendencies in individuals. according to the modulation of their voice.
« A lot of information is present in body language and interpersonal dynamics during clinical interviews, Kent Kiehl attests, professor of psychology at the University of New Mexico and lead author of the study. Decoding these interviews can provide useful details about the differences in individual inmate behavior. “. Well, be careful not to jump to conclusions at your next family dinner if you notice your brother staring at you strangely without moving his head. He may have a stiff neck.
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