PURPOSE: Criminological theories of crime, delinquency, and deviancy emphasize the causal role of low self-control whereas models of psychopathology posit a general trait liability, "disinhibition", contributing to persistent antisocial behavior and substance use. The aim of the current work was to link these compatible perspectives on deviancy through reference to a biobehavioral conceptualization of disinhibition. METHODS: We examined how the Grasmick et al. (1993) self-control scale, relates to (a) trait disinhibition as indexed by self-report scales, performance on inhibitory-control tasks, and brain reactivity to cognitive stimuli, and (b) a cross-domain index combining measures from these three domains. RESULTS: As expected, variation in self-control was robustly associated with antisocial deviance, substance use problems, and measures of disinhibition across measurement domains. Further, a factor analytic model provided compelling evidence that the Grasmick et al. scale operates as a robust indicator within a biobehavioral conceptualization of disinhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirm a strong link between self-control and trait disinhibition, and support the view that deficits in self-control have a prominent biobehavioral basis. Research in the areas of criminology and psychopathology can mutually benefit from a focus on influences contributing to variations in self-control, conceptualized as trait disinhibition.
PURPOSE: Criminological theories of crime, delinquency, and deviancy emphasize the causal role of low self-control whereas models of psychopathology posit a general trait liability, "disinhibition", contributing to persistent antisocial behavior and substance use. The aim of the current work was to link these compatible perspectives on deviancy through reference to a biobehavioral conceptualization of disinhibition. METHODS: We examined how the Grasmick et al. (1993) self-control scale, relates to (a) trait disinhibition as indexed by self-report scales, performance on inhibitory-control tasks, and brain reactivity to cognitive stimuli, and (b) a cross-domain index combining measures from these three domains. RESULTS: As expected, variation in self-control was robustly associated with antisocial deviance, substance use problems, and measures of disinhibition across measurement domains. Further, a factor analytic model provided compelling evidence that the Grasmick et al. scale operates as a robust indicator within a biobehavioral conceptualization of disinhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirm a strong link between self-control and trait disinhibition, and support the view that deficits in self-control have a prominent biobehavioral basis. Research in the areas of criminology and psychopathology can mutually benefit from a focus on influences contributing to variations in self-control, conceptualized as trait disinhibition.
Entities:
Keywords:
antisocial behavior; disinhibition; inhibitory control; self-control; substance use
Authors: Christopher J Patrick; Edward M Bernat; Stephen M Malone; William G Iacono; Robert F Krueger; Matt McGue Journal: Psychophysiology Date: 2006-01 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Christopher J Patrick; Noah C Venables; James R Yancey; Brian M Hicks; Lindsay D Nelson; Mark D Kramer Journal: J Abnorm Psychol Date: 2013-08
Authors: Terrie E Moffitt; Louise Arseneault; Daniel Belsky; Nigel Dickson; Robert J Hancox; Honalee Harrington; Renate Houts; Richie Poulton; Brent W Roberts; Stephen Ross; Malcolm R Sears; W Murray Thomson; Avshalom Caspi Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2011-01-24 Impact factor: 11.205