NCJ Number
56648
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 7 Issue: 27 Dated: (FALL 1972) Pages: 289-308
Date Published
1972
Length
20 pages
Annotation
DYSFUNCTION OF THE FRONTAL LOBE OF THE BRAIN (OR NEUROPATHOLOGICAL DEFICIT) IS HYPOTHESIZED AS THE BASIS FOR SOME DELINQUENT ACTS, ESPECIALLY AMONG JUVENILES.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION DRAWS ON OBSERVATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS, PRIMARILY JUVENILES, WHO HAD COMMITTED DELINQUENT ACTS. THE TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IN QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF THE ABILITY TO SWITCH THE PRINCIPLE OF ACTION (THE OVERRIDING VALUE) DURING AN ONGOING ACTIVITY UPON VERBAL COMMAND. THIS INABILITY IS NORMAL IN SMALL CHILDREN AND IS ILLUSTRATED IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATION. A MOTHER TELLS HER SMALL CHILD TO DRAW A PICTURE. AS THE CHILD STARTS TO DRAW, THE MOTHER INTERRUPTS AND TELLS THE CHILD TO PICK UP HIS SWEATER. THE CHILD DOES NOT REACT. THE MOTHER REPEATS HER ORDER TO NO AVAIL, GETS ANGRY, AND PUNISHES THE CHILD FOR BEING NAUGHTY. IN REALITY, THE IMMATURITY OF THE CHILD'S FRONTAL LOBE STRUCTURES MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO INTERRUPT AN ONGOING ACTIVITY AND TO REPROGRAM IT ON VERBAL COMMAND. THIS INABILITY IS CHARACTERISTIC OF MINIMAL BRAIN DYSFUNCTION IN CHILDREN BEYOND 4 YEARS OF AGE. IT HAS BEEN FOUND IN HYPERACTIVE PREADOLESCENT BOYS AND MAY BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN SOME JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND EVEN IN SOME ADULT CRIME. THE PERSON WITH FRONTAL LOBE DYSFUNCTION WHO COMMITS A DELINQUENT ACT CHARACTERISTICALLY EXPERIENCES THE ACT AS WRONG AND YET AS SOMETHING THAT MUST BE DONE. THERE IS A DISSOCIATION BETWEEN KNOWING AND DOING. CLINICAL EVIDENCE PERTAINING TO THIS DYSFUNCTION AND TO ITS DIAGNOSIS IS REVIEWED. SUGGESTIONS FOR RESEARCH AND THERAPY ARE OFFERED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)