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

Abstract

It is interesting to consider how far the science of a neural substrate for lack of emotion in driving callous behaviour in boys has progressed. Almost 20 years ago, sufficient controversy surrounded holding a conference on the genetics of criminal behaviour that the meeting was moved from the USA to the UK. Now, there is widespread agreement that—in this context—biology cannot be ignored. Fortunately, though, the progress is not just in tolerance for the field, but also in sophistication of the field. It is now relatively uncommon to see references to the biology or genetics of anti-social behaviour. Rather, the emphasis has switched to the biology of specific forms of emotional disruption that give rise to specific forms of anti-social behaviour. There is no biology of criminal behaviour; given sufficient gain and insignificant cost, we might all offend. (If you were told that by stealing the office pencil you would earn a million dollars, would not you be tempted?) But there is biology with respect to specific forms of dysfunction that increases the propensity for offending behaviour. One form of emotional dysfunction associated with an increased risk for anti-social behaviour is the presence of callous-unemotional traits. Such individuals show markedly reduced guilt, empathy and anxiety. They are more likely to show goal-directed, instrumental, anti-social behaviour; i.e. to use anti-social strategies in order to achieve their goals. Moreover, their offending history typically starts at an early age and continues throughout life. The basic hypothesis that most researchers in the field agree on is that the form of the emotion dysfunction disrupts typical forms of moral socialization. The individual is …