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Neuropsychological Correlates of Violence and Aggression: A Review of the Clinical Literature

NCJ Number
164230
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 3-25
Author(s)
C J Golden; M L Jackson; A Peterson-Rohne; S T Gontkovsky
Date Published
1996
Length
23 pages
Annotation
The role of neuropsychological factors in violence and aggression is examined; the analysis includes the potential roles of prefrontal brain damage and temporal lobe dysfunction.
Abstract
Mechanisms that allow such damage to influence behavior are discussed, together with the data indicating the existence of such mechanism. The review examines the influence of these factors in a wide range of populations, including batterers, juvenile delinquents, adult criminals, sex offenders, psychopaths, and schizophrenics. The potential role of additional factors such as alcohol is also discussed. The analysis suggests that from 30 to 50 percent of chronically aggressive individuals with a wide variety of diagnoses and criminal histories have symptoms and histories indicative of brain dysfunction, primarily in the frontal and temporal areas of the brain. The discussion concludes that efforts are needed to intensify the identification of such individuals when making decisions regarding dangerousness, general prognosis, and treatment needs. 86 references (Author abstract modified)