ORGANIC DETERMINANTS OF STRESS AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR (FROM STRESS AND CRIME, P 123-130, 1980, BY MARTIN J MALOF - SEE NCJ-67800)

• NCJ Number: 67804
• Author(s): J R LION
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NCJ-67804 AVAILABLE ON MICROFICHE FROM NCJRS UNDER NCJ67800

Annotation

BRAIN DYSFUNCTION IS SUGGESTED AS AN ORGANIC DETERMINANT OF STRESS.

Abstract

THE POTENTIAL IDENTIFICATION OF A SMALL SUBGROUP OF CRIMINALS SHOWING VIOLENT PROPENSITIES AND DEMONSTRATING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MINIMAL BRAIN DYSFUNCTION MAY BE WORTHWHILE. THE VALUE LIES IN TREATMENT. YET TREATMENT REQUIRES A SUBJECT POPULATION AND CHANGES IN SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE USE OF PRISONERS, BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF PRISON. PRESENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE PROHIBITS RESEARCH ON PRISONERS DUE TO IMPLICIT COERCIVENESS IN A PRISON SETTING WHICH INFRINGES UPON INFORMED CONSENT. A UBIQUITOUS MODEL OF BRAIN DYSFUNCTION IS SEEN IN THE DISINHIBITORY STATE OF ALCOHOLISM, A PARAMETER LONG LINKED WITH CRIME; UNFORTUNATELY, THE MATTER OF ALCOHOL AND CRIME IS SO COMMON THAT IT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AS A TRUISM AND NEGLECTED AS A PHENOMENON. THE USE OF HORMONES TO CONTROL SEXUAL AGGRESSIVENESS POINTS TO A METABOLIC PHENOMENON WHICH IS CEREBRALLY CONTROLLED; A MODEL OF 'BRAIN DYSFUNCTION' IS INVOKED. THE TEMPERING OF HUMAN AGGRESSION MOBILIZES MANY SOCIETAL CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY WHEN BRAIN DYSFUNCTION APPEARS AS AN ETIOLOGY. HUMILITY, SOLID METHODOLOGIES, AND ADEQUATE PEER SCRUTINY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS ARE REQUISITE. TWENTY-TWO REFERENCES ARE SUPPLIED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MHP)