NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION - A REVIEW OF THE CLINICAL LITERATURE

Understanding of factors that influence expression of violence and agg ression have become important questions in our society. The present ar ticle reviews the role of the neuropsychological factors, including th e potential roles of prefrontal brain damage and temporal lobe dysfunc tion. Mechanisms that allow such damage to influence behavior are disc ussed, as well as the evidence for such mechanisms. The article examin es the influence of these factors in a wide range of populations, incl uding batters, juvenile delinquents, adult criminals, sexual offenders , psychopaths, and schizophrenics. The potential role of additional fa ctors, such as alcohol, are also briefly examined. Conclusions focus o n the influence these findings have in aggression in society and possi ble treatment issues.