Emotional Intelligence and Decision-Making as Predictors of Antisocial Behavior

243 Pages·2017·2.24 MB·English

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Dissertations Graduate Research
2017
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Melina Sample
Andrews University, [email protected]
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Sample, Melina, "Emotional Intelligence And Decision-Making As Predictors Of Antisocial Behavior"
(2017). Dissertations. 1632.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/1632
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ABSTRACT

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND DECISION-MAKING
AS PREDICTORS OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR

by

Melina Marie Sample

Chair: Carole Woolford-Hunt
ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH

Dissertation

Andrews University

School of Education

Title: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND DECISION-MAKING AS PREDICTORS
OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Name of researcher: Melina Marie Sample

Name and degree of faculty chair: Carole Woolford-Hunt, Ph.D.

Date completed: June 2017

Problem
Antisocial behaviors in the general population are not well understood and little
studied, however, their acceptance is becoming more normalized and accepted by society.
This present study intended to focus on the contributing factors of emotional intelligence
and decision-making to the presence of antisocial behaviors, and how these contributions
vary by gender.
Method
This study used the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, the Trait Emotional
Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form, and the General Decision Making Style
Inventory to explore the relationships between the three variables. A structural equation
model was developed to examine the theoretical covariance matrix proposed in
comparison to the empirical covariance matrix developed from collected data. Four
hundred and thirteen adults in the United States general population were used for this
study.
Results
The original structural equation model suggested a poor fit with the collected
data. The revised model included additional paths based on theory found in the literature.
The revised model showed an excellent fit with the data. A strong correlation between
emotional intelligence and decision-making was indicated. Emotional intelligence had a
high, significant impact on both Primary and Secondary Psychopathy (SEC). Decision-
making had a low, but significant impact on SEC. The adjusted model accounted for
69% of the variance of Primary Psychopathy (PRI) and 68% of variance for SEC. The
revised model was also assessed to examine differences between males and females. The
revised model achieved an acceptable fit for males, and a superior fit for females,
indicating no gender differences for the proposed model.
Conclusions
This hypothesized theoretical model was supported by the findings from this
study. The contribution of emotional intelligence and decision-making to antisocial
behaviors was validated through statistical significance. Findings indicated some minor
variations according to gender. These findings have implications for the field of
counseling psychology, as well as society’s understanding and acceptance of antisocial
behaviors in the general population.
Andrews University
School of Education

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND DECISION-MAKING
AS PREDICTORS OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR

A Dissertation

Presented in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

by

Melina M. Sample

June 2017
© Copyright by Melina M. Sample 2017
All Rights Reserved
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND DECISION-MAKING
AS PREDICTORS OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR

A dissertation
presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Philosophy

by

Melina Marie Sample

APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE:
______________________________ ______________________________
Chair: Carole Woolford-Hunt Dean, School of Education
Robson Marinho
______________________________
Member: Elvin Gabriel
______________________________
Member: Tevni Grajales
______________________________ ______________________________
External: Lionel Matthews Date approved
Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.

-J. K. Rowling

iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ......................................................................................... viii
LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................ ix
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. xi

C hapter
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1
Background .................................................................................................. 1
Rationale for the Study ................................................................................. 7
Statement of the Problem ............................................................................. 8
Purpose of the Study .................................................................................... 11
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................ 11
Conceptualization of Antisocial Behavior ............................................... 12
Conceptualization of Emotional Intelligence ........................................... 16
The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Antisocial
Behavior ........................................................................................ 19
Impact of Gender on Emotional Intelligence ...................................... 23
A Conceptualization of Decision-Making ............................................... 24
The Relationship Between Decision-Making and Antisocial
Behavior ........................................................................................ 26
Impact of Gender on Decision-Making Styles .................................... 27
Conceptualizations Applied to the Present Study .................................... 27
Research Questions ...................................................................................... 28
Significance of the Study ............................................................................. 28
Definition of Terms ...................................................................................... 29
Limitations ................................................................................................... 31
Delimitations ................................................................................................ 31
Organization of the Study ............................................................................ 32

2. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................... 33
Purpose of Literature Review ....................................................................... 33
Sources for Material Included ...................................................................... 34
Overview of Literature Review .................................................................... 35
A Conceptual Definition of Antisocial Behavior ......................................... 35
Causes and Treatment of Antisocial Behavior ............................................. 38
iv
Genetic Contributions ............................................................................ 38
Neurological Factors .............................................................................. 41
Physiological Factors ............................................................................. 45
Familial Resemblance ............................................................................ 47
Gender Differences ................................................................................ 49
Other Factors Related to Antisocial Behavior ........................................ 53
Demographics .................................................................................... 53
Immigration Status............................................................................. 54
Self-Esteem ........................................................................................ 54
Social Anxiety ................................................................................... 56
Technology ........................................................................................ 59
Treatment ............................................................................................... 65
Theories of Antisocial Behavior ................................................................... 72
Social Learning Theory .......................................................................... 72
Social Control (Social Bond) Theory ..................................................... 75
General Theory of Crime ....................................................................... 78
Temperament-Based Theory .................................................................. 79
Development of Emotional Intelligence ........................................................ 80
Familial Influences ................................................................................. 82
Neurological Factors .............................................................................. 85
Gender Differences ................................................................................ 85
Theories of Emotional Intelligence .............................................................. 86
Ability Measures .................................................................................... 86
Mayer-Salovey Four Branch Model .................................................. 87
Bar-On Model ................................................................................... 88
Goleman Model ................................................................................. 88
Trait Measures ........................................................................................ 89
Emotional Intelligence and Antisocial Behavior as Correlates .................... 91
Aspects of Decision-Making ........................................................................ 94
Motivation .............................................................................................. 94
Neurological Factors .............................................................................. 95
Decision-Making Styles ......................................................................... 97
Story-Telling .......................................................................................... 100
Impaired Decision-Making .................................................................... 102
Gender Differences ................................................................................ 102
Theories of Decision-Making ....................................................................... 103
Naturalistic Decision-Making Theory .................................................... 103
Neuroeconomic Theory .......................................................................... 104
Decision-Making and Antisocial Behavior as Correlates ............................. 106
Emotional Intelligence & Decision-Making ................................................. 109
Antisocial Behavior, Emotional Intelligence, & Decision-Making .............. 110
Summary ...................................................................................................... 112

3. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................. 113
Introduction .................................................................................................. 113
Research Questions ...................................................................................... 113
v