Comprehensive Psychology and Neuroscience of Antisocial Behavior

What was the estimated number of victims of physical assault in Australia in 2020-21?

2032 victims per 100,000 people.

What is the total estimated cost of crime in Australia per year?

Nearly $32 billion.

What is the relationship between antisocial behavior and human development?

All humans engage in some form of antisocial behavior during their life, but prosocial behavior develops as we grow.

At what age do children typically start to learn that social interaction is necessary?

Around age 2.

What percentage of a study sample displayed normative behavior with low antisocial behaviors?

66%.

What are the four categories of problem behaviors identified in Vaughn et al.'s study?

1. Normative with low antisocial behaviors, 2. High antisocial but low substance use, 3. Low antisocial but high substance use, 4. High antisocial and substance use.

What is the male-to-female ratio for serious lifelong criminal behavior?

15-20:1.

What biological factors contribute to higher levels of antisocial behavior in males?

Males exhibit greater aggression, impulsivity, and risk-taking behaviors.

What did Lytton and Romney's review of parenting practices reveal about gender socialization?

Most parenting practices did not vary significantly by the gender of their children.

What is the age-crime curve?

A pattern where antisocial behavior increases during adolescence, peaks in early adulthood, and then declines.

What controversial correlation exists between race and crime in the US, UK, and Australia?

African American males are arrested and convicted more than white males.

What psychophysiological measures are commonly used to assess arousal levels in individuals?

Heart rate and skin conductance.

How is blunted autonomic functioning related to antisocial behavior?

It has been associated with increased antisocial behavior, including violence.

What is the fearlessness hypothesis?

It suggests that antisocial individuals do not experience appropriate physiological responses to risk or stress, making them less deterred from criminal behavior.

What is the impact of low resting heart rate in adolescence?

It is associated with an increased risk for adult criminality.

What type of aggression is linked to poorer skin conductance and fear conditioning in late adolescence?

Adolescent proactive aggression.

What are the two main types of antisocial behavior observed in females?

Excluding others from groups and covert bullying.

What is the significance of self-regulation in the development of prosocial behavior?

It is necessary for functioning appropriately and successfully in social contexts.

What role does social interaction play in the development of antisocial behavior?

Social interaction is necessary for children to learn that aggressive self-interest is no longer favorable.

What percentage of the sample in Vaughn et al.'s study had high levels of antisocial behavior and substance use?

5%.

What is a common misconception about gender socialization and antisocial behavior?

That boys are socialized to be more aggressive and competitive, while evidence suggests most parenting practices do not vary by gender.

What factors are considered when analyzing the age-crime curve?

Social risk factors, biological factors, and psychological factors.

What is the impact of aggressive, self-interested acts in early human development?

They tend to be successful in getting what individuals want.

What is the estimated number of victims of sexual assault in Australia in 2020-21?

536 victims per 100,000 people.

What does the sensation-seeking hypothesis suggest about antisocial behavior?

It posits that individuals engage in antisocial behavior to raise arousal levels due to a blunted psychophysiological state.

What is the somatic marker hypothesis?

It suggests that somatic markers, like sweaty palms, reflect emotional states that inform decision-making; impairments can lead to risky behavior.

How are proactive and reactive aggression different in terms of autonomic functioning?

Proactive aggression is linked to blunted autonomic functioning, while reactive aggression is associated with hyperactive autonomic functioning.

What brain region is primarily responsible for higher-level cognitive processes?

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is responsible for decision-making, attention, emotion regulation, impulse control, and moral reasoning.

What was the significance of Phineas Gage's case in understanding the PFC?

His personality change after damage to the PFC provided insight into the role of this region in personality and behavior.

What role does the amygdala play in antisocial behavior?

The amygdala is key in fear conditioning and morality; maldevelopment can impair the recognition of distress cues, leading to antisocial behavior.

How does reduced amygdala volume relate to antisocial behavior?

Reduced amygdala volume in adulthood is associated with increased aggressive and psychopathic traits and a higher risk of future antisocial behavior.

What is the function of the striatum in relation to antisocial behavior?

The striatum is involved in reward and emotional processing; dysfunction here may underlie impulsive and antisocial behavior.

What does the neuromoral theory of antisocial behavior propose?

It suggests that impairments in brain regions related to moral decision-making are common in offenders, indicating a spectrum of neuromoral dysfunction.

What is the heritability percentage range for antisocial behavior according to meta-analyses?

The heritability of antisocial behavior is estimated to be about 40-60%.

What is the role of the MAOA gene in antisocial behavior?

The MAOA gene moderates the relationship between maltreatment and antisocial behavior, with a stronger effect in individuals with low MAOA activity.

How can environmental factors influence genetic expressions related to antisocial behavior?

Environmental stressors can alter biological expressions, such as changes in gene methylation linked to antisocial personality disorder symptoms.

What impact does poor nutrition have on antisocial behavior?

Poor nutrition in early childhood is associated with negative outcomes, while increased omega-3 fatty acids can improve health and reduce behavioral problems.

What intervention has been shown to reduce offending behavior during incarceration?

Reducing sugar consumption among offenders has been found to significantly decrease offending behavior.

What is the significance of the marshmallow test in understanding behavior?

The marshmallow test illustrates the concept of delayed gratification, which is linked to self-control and future behavioral outcomes.

What are the implications of the neuromoral model for criminal responsibility?

Significant impairment to the neuromoral circuit could indicate diminished criminal responsibility due to impaired morality.

What does the research suggest about the brain plasticity in relation to antisocial behavior?

Biological processes do not guarantee negative outcomes, as the brain is plastic and can adapt through behavioral treatments.

What is the relationship between genetics and antisocial personality traits?

Psychological constructs associated with antisociality have been found to be heritable, indicating a genetic component to these traits.

How do different antisocial/criminal subtypes relate to brain function?

Different subtypes may exhibit distinct deficits; for example, cold aggression is linked to hypoactive amygdala function.

What is the effect of integrating early preschool with parent resources?

Programs that combine early preschool with parent resources have shown efficacy in preventing maltreatment and supporting child development.

What is the significance of the findings regarding the striatum in psychopathic individuals?

Psychopathic individuals show increased striatal volumes, indicating a potential neural basis for their impulsive and antisocial behaviors.