Patterns of Brain Activity in Aggressors: A Meta-Analysis Study of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Decision-Making and Emotional Regulation

Abstract

The cognitive and emotional processes involved in criminal behavior are varied and complex. Decision-making, inhibitory control, emotional processing, empathy and theory of mind, and emotional regulation are some of the key processes involved. Studies using functional neuroimaging have identified distinct patterns of brain activity in regions associated with these processes, providing clues about the mechanisms underlying criminal behavior. For example, differences in activation of the prefrontal cortex and amygdala have been observed in aggressors compared to nonaggressors during tasks involving moral judgment and impulsivity. These findings underscore the importance of neuroscience in investigating the cognitive and emotional processes underlying criminal behavior, offering valuable insights for theory and practice in the fields of criminology and criminal justice.