Journal of Forensic Psychology

Abstract

Neuropsychological Subtypes of Violent Behaviour: Differences in Inhibition between Affective and Instrumental Violence

Thijs W Van De Kant, Swaantje F Boers, Maaike Kempes, Jos IM Egger

Background: Forensic assessment is primarily focused on psychosocial factors to understand aggressive behaviour. However, evidence suggests a relation between neurocognitive factors and violence. Inhibition is one of those factors possibly related to violent behaviour, but prior research regarding inhibition remains inconclusive. One explanation may be the existence of distinct neuropsychological profiles for subtypes of violent offenders. This study aims at differentiating groups of affective and instrumental violent defendants on their ability to inhibit behaviour. Methods: We compared a group of 26 affective defendants with a group of 37 instrumental defendants on several tasks for executive functioning. Results: Affective defendants have more trouble inhibiting an ongoing response on the Stop Signal Task. There were no further differences between affective and instrumental defendants. Conclusion: Violent defendants constitute of a heterogeneous group, as affective violent defendants possibly have more trouble inhibiting an ongoing response and may therefore be more prone to evoke impulsive violent acts than instrumental defendants.

Published Date: 2020-06-25; Received Date: 2020-06-10