Jerry Lee Center of Criminology Talk: "Neurobiological and Psychosocial Bases of Antisocial Behavior"

Title: Neurobiological and Psychosocial Bases of Antisocial Behavior

By Yu Gao, Ph.D.

Abstract: Significant progress has been made in delineating the neurobiological correlates of crime and violence in recent years. However, relatively little is known about the early biological risk factors that give rise to later aggressive behavior and criminal offending. Similarly, little research has examined bio-social interaction effects on the development of antisocial behavior. In this talk I will present initial evidence that neurobiological markers assessed early in childhood, including impaired autonomic fear conditioning and reduced event-related potential amplitude (P300), predispose some individuals to later aggressive and psychopathic behavior. Findings linking early psychosocial adversity (poor parental bonding, childhood physical abuse, and low SES) to psychopathic personality will also be outlined. Finally, recent findings on bio-social interactions predisposing to adolescent psychopathic behavior will be discussed in attempting to further understand the complex etiology of antisocial behavior.