Researchers crack the underlying cause behind strange social interaction in delinquent adolescents

Have we ever thought of reading the minds of youths involved in crimes? Why are they not normal? Why are they drawn more toward unlawful activities? Is this anomalous behaviour induced into their minds through external stimulus or is it something genetically inherited? Such many other questions compel us to figure out the exact causes behind the conduct of delinquent adolescents.

Unlike, non-delinquent groups, it is believed that youths engaged in crimes most likely develop anti-social behaviour at a very early age. This normally includes violent behaviour that can cause harm to others, breach upon the basic rights of another person, oppose cultural norms or are less able to take the opinions of others.

In one of the latest findings, researchers at the University of Leiden and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany, have come up with a viable reason associated with the neural development of Anti-social Personality Syndrome (APS) in delinquent adolescents.

Researchers say, the brain regions liable for social conduct processing and impulse control, are inadequately developed in such youths, unlike, other normal young people. This research was largely focused on imprisoned delinquent youths falling in the age group of 15- 21 years, based in Netherlands and were diagnosed with AP Syndrome.

Neural Development in delinquent youths

With a purpose to find the cause, researchers played a game with two different groups; one of the groups was comprised of delinquent youths and the other one included youths with normal behaviour. The objective of this cooperative game was to check upon the rational decision over the actions of their opponents. Here, the players were offered an amount of money by other players and they were also informed about other possibilities like if their opponent could have made a more reasonable offer or had hardly any other substitute etc.

Simultaneously, with the use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), the brain activity of the players was mapped. The results explained that the adolescents with AP syndrome showed less activation in the Temporo-Parietal Junction (TPJ) and in the inferior frontal gyrus region than their corresponding team members.

Well, talking about the Temporo-Parietal Junction (TPJ), it’s that part of the brain, where temporal parietal lobes assemble at the posterior end of the Sylvian fissure. TPJ is responsible for integrating information from the thalamus system, limbic system, visual, auditory and somato-sensory systems. It also helps in incorporating information from the external environment as well as from within the body. TPJ, thus gathers all the information and assist in processing it further.

One major role played by TPJ is in self-other distinctions processes i.e ability to put oneself in another person’s position. The researchers noticed that almost same kind of activation levels in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and in the anterior insula regions of the brain (responsible for rational cognitive functions like reward anticipation, decision-making, empathy, impulse control and emotion) were measured in both the teams. 

Even though both the teams rejected the undue offers but the groups comprised of delinquent youths put down the offers more frequently.Contrary to their corresponding team members, the delinquent adolescents did not perceive the intention of their counterpart. They didn’t take account of the fact whether their opponent had the sole option of giving unfair offer or they had other alternatives too.

Researchers came to a conclusion that youths living with AP Syndrome might be facing trouble with regards to germane information connected with social communications such as other people’s intention. This might facilitates in breeding the seeds of anti-social behaviour in adolescents.

As per the views of Wouter van den Bos, a lead author of the study and researcher in the Center for Adaptive Rationality at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, “Adolescence is a time of multiple physical, neurological, and social changes. This study with adolescents offers us a better understanding of what happens during this sensitive phase and how things can go astray, resulting in the development of antisocial behaviours.”

With this finding, researchers are hopeful that in near future, it would pave the way in developing more appropriate psychotherapeutic treatments at various institutes presently working in the field of Human Psychology.

Over the years, scientists and researchers at various research institutes have tried to find the underlying causes behind the youth crime and now they are not denying the fact that although neurology or genetics play an important role in the evolution of a human brain but a loveless, abusive or a turbulent upbringing can damage the brain equally.

In addition to it, research also says that lack of physical affection in children may possibly cause an abnormal release of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, in human body. This hormone could hamper physical stature and mental abilities of a child.

According to a survey report, the parents of delinquent adolescents were more often involved in criminal activities or were alcoholic; either they were divorced, separated or the child was managed by a single parent.

Distressing events can interrupt the normal development of the Central Nervous System (CNS). The process of development continues all the way through the adolescence phase. But if the process is obstructed by any means, it could alter pattern of normal growth of brain.

Child is the most beautiful creation of God and all the parents must provide the necessary love, care and attention to their children. They cannot deny the fact that it is their creation, it is their produce and it is only them, who can nurture their kids to give them a healthy and a vibrant life.

Courtesy: The Max Planck Society; Wikipedia (technical terms)

Image Courtesy: Google