The science, treatment and prevention of antisocial behaviors

Abstract

The presence and participation of criminologists and criminal justice professionals are viewed as critical for the behavioral sciences to be whole and to provide a comprehensive understanding of a fundamental dimension of human behavior, specifically antisocial or criminal conduct. This book attempts to convey this message. The book is divided into nine parts: (1) integrative research-toward a better understanding of antisocial behavior; (2) biological underpinnings of antisocial behavior-research approaches and findings; (3) genetic studies of antisocial behavior; (4) relationships between cognitive deficits, brain dysfunction, and aggression; (5) subtypes and syndromes of delinquency and criminality; (6) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and crime-identifying genetic, addictive, and familial links to reduce prison terms and recidivism; (7) medical approaches to understanding and treating antisocial behavior; (8) application of the behavioral sciences to the law and criminal justice system; and (9) implications for the prevention and treatment of antisocial behaviors. Each chapter highlights specific research of the contributions of scholars and practitioners and highlights specific research of the contributors, delineating ways in which their findings can be applied and can affect criminal justice policy. A complete description of the research is provided in each individual chapter and a synthesis of the current findings. The chapters provide evidence for individual vulnerability to various dimensions of antisocial behavior from several disciplines such as molecular and behavioral genetics, neurobiology, physiology, cognitive science, endocrinology, and forensic psychiatry. The research presented in this book led to the following conclusions: (1) all human behavior has a genetic component; (2) there are no genes for specific behaviors--genes design temperament and personality, and provide an orientation or predisposition to behave according to patterns; (3) the expression of genetic and biological traits can be modified by the environment; (4) social deprivation and abuse leads to antisocial behavior; and (5) vulnerabilities to antisocial behavior cross all boundaries with an increase in abundance if the social risks are high. This research pushes the reader to acknowledge the many decades of serious scientific criminology research in psychology, psychiatry, and the bio-behavioral sciences thereby offering a better understanding of antisocial behavior for the treatment and prevention of such behaviors. Appendices 1-3 (selected excerpts, glossary, and bibliography)