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Pfc Dysfunction Effect

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The development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) contributes to the human capacity to modulate emotions. This ability is significant as disruption due to brain dysfunction can have harmful effects on an individual’s capability to function adaptively in society. However, the idea that the PFC has a significant role in the regulation of aggression and violence has been challenged by studies that highlight the complexity of the multiple causes of antisocial behaviour and consequences of dysfunction of the PFC. Yet through brain imaging, modern research have shown a relationship between dysfunction of the PFC and antisocial behaviour.
Studies have shown a link between alcoholism and cognitive deficits; one theory that explores this is the “frontal …show more content…

One case study that explores the effects of PFC dysfunction is “PL” by Marlowe (as cited in Eslinger, Flaherty-Craig & Benton). PL was 4 years of age when he suffered an injury to the right PFC and weeks after the injury behavioural changes became evident. PL was considered more aggressive and impulsive- with mood swings, agitation and destructiveness as examples of his antisocial behaviours. PL’s case study is prime example of how significant the PFC is when modulating our emotions; this dysfunction disrupted the regulation of aggression thus suggesting damage to the PFC does lead to antisocial …show more content…

Raine et al (2000) conducted an experiment using 21 participants with antisocial personality disorder (APD) and high psychopathy scores. An 11% reduction in the volume of gray matter in the prefrontal cortex was found in the APD group, compared to the normal control group. This implies the volume reduction of the PFC- although subtle, is significant as it can lead to antisocial behaviours. Furthermore, during a social stressor task in which participants had to prepare and give a speech about their own personal faults the ADP group showed a lower autonomic activity. Damasio (2000) believes this task is thought to provoke secondary emotions such as embarrassment and shame, which the ventromedial PFC is thought to mediate (as cited in Raine and Adrian, 2002). This could help explain why some violent offenders do not feel remorse when committing crimes and continue to break the laws of society; they feel no guilt due to dysfunction of the PFC. Overall, neurological studies are useful as they enable us to understand those who are antisocial and research can be used to guide them to appropriate

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