Unusual hormonal “stress relaxation” response in prisoners with convictions for assault with robbery

Abstract

The stress response pattern in the urinary excretion of noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol was observed in a group of male prisoners subjected to psycho-physiological testing shortly before release from short-stay prison. Pre-test catecholamine results do not differentiate prisoners with case records suggesting a psychopathic disposition regarding assaultiveness. “Assaultive robbers” tend, however, to respond in a way suggesting reduced test anticipatory fear, plus either a lack of normal reduction of fear or an unrealistic fear response to testing.