Too much of a good thing: increased grey matter in boys with conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits

摘要

It is interesting to consider how far the science of a neural sub-nstrate for lack of emotion in driving callous behaviour in boys hasnprogressed. Almost 20 years ago, sufficient controversy sur-nrounded holding a conference on the genetics of criminal behav-niour that the meeting was moved from the USA to the UK. Now,nthere is widespread agreement that—in this context—biologyncannot be ignored. Fortunately, though, the progress is not justnin tolerance for the field, but also in sophistication of the field. Itnis now relatively uncommon to see references to the biology orngenetics of anti-social behaviour. Rather, the emphasis hasnswitched to the biology of specific forms of emotional disruptionnthat give rise to specific forms of anti-social behaviour. There is nonbiology of criminal behaviour; given sufficient gain and insignifi-ncant cost, we might all offend. (If you were told that by stealingnthe office pencil you would earn a million dollars, would not younbe tempted?) But there is biology with respect to specific forms ofndysfunction that increases the propensity for offending behaviour.