Study on Relationship Between Hormones and Aggression In Different Animals and Human |

ABSTRACT:

To compare brainactivity in 41 convicted violent offenders to activity in 41 age matchedcontrol subjects. They found that the people convicted of murder had reducedactivity in the prefrontal cortex and increased activity in sub-corticalregions such as the thalamus. This finding fits nicely with previous researchshowing that the damage to the prefrontal cortex impairs decision making andincreasing impulsive behavior. Indeed, Raine's work is perhaps the bestevidence yet that impaired brain functioning may underlie some types of violentaggression. However, it is important to remember that his subjects lie at theextreme end of a spectrum and may not be typical of most aggressors.