Vol: 2, Issue: 4 2012

Page: 42-48

Study on Relationship Between Hormones and Aggression in Different Animals and Human

Suresh Bhardwaj

To compare brain activity in 41 convicted violent offenders to activity in 41 age matched control subjects. They found that the people convicted of murder had reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex and increased activity in sub-cortical regions such as the thalamus. This finding fits nicely with previous research showing that the damage to the prefrontal cortex impairs decision making and increasing impulsive behavior. Indeed, Raine's work is perhaps the best evidence yet that impaired brain functioning may underlie some types of violent aggression. However, it is important to remember that his subjects lie at the extreme end of a spectrum and may not be typical of most aggressors.