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Psychobiology of Aggression: Engines, Measurement, Control

NCJ Number
153172
Editor(s)
M Hillbrand, N J Pallone
Date Published
1994
Length
254 pages
Annotation
This compilation of studies presents a critical overview of psychobiological research on aggression, theoretical models of aggression, and aggression treatment strategies.
Abstract
The first section of the book examines the link between aggression and sex and biological factors (testosterone, serotonin, alcohol, traumatic brain injury, hematology, and cerebral lateralization). The second section reviews the measurement of brain dysfunction using neuroimaging techniques and various approaches to measuring aggression in children and adults based on microbehavioral and psychometric methods. The third section reviews pharmacological approaches to treating aggression (benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, beta-blockers, lithium, and anticonvulsants) and the link between diet and aggression. Further, the authors explore amplifiers and attenuators in suicide risk and the behavior of chronically aggressive psychiatric inpatients. In each chapter, the authors present a historical review of their topic, critically review current research, outline when appropriate the topic's relevance to criminal justice, and make suggestions for future research. References, tables, and figures