Antisocial Behavior, Psychopathic Features and Abnormalities in Reward and Punishment Processing in Youth

Abstract

A better understanding of what leads youth to initially engage in antisocial behavior (ASB) and more importantly persist with such behaviors into adulthood has significant implications for prevention and intervention efforts. A considerable number of studies using behavioral and neuroimaging techniques have investigated abnormalities in reward and punishment processing as potential causal mechanisms underlying ASB. However, this literature has yet to be critically evaluated, and there are no comprehensive reviews that systematically examine and synthesize these findings. The goal of the present review is twofold. The first aim is to examine the extent to which youth with ASB are characterized by abnormalities in (1) reward processing; (2) punishment processing; or (3) both reward and punishment processing. The second aim is to evaluate whether aberrant reward and/or punishment processing is specific to or most pronounced in a subgroup of antisocial youth with psychopathic features. Studies utilizing behavioral methods are first reviewed, followed by studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging. An integration of theory and research across multiple levels of analysis is presented in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of reward and punishment processing in antisocial youth. Findings are discussed in terms of developmental and contextual considerations, proposed future directions and implications for intervention.

A Case Study Examining Fixed Versus Randomized Criteria for Treating a Child With Conduct Problems and Callous-Unemotional Traits

“…Third, neurocognitive research suggests children with CPCU respond differently than children with CP-only on tasks designed to measure contingency learning (Barry et al, 2000; Budhani & Blair, 2005; Finger et al, 2011; Fisher & Blair, 1998; Newman & Baskin-Sommers, 2012; O'Brien & Frick, 1996). Overall, these and other studies (Byrd et al, 2013) support the hypothesis that children with CU traits are less responsive to BT because they differ in how they learn from and respond to reward and punishment.…”

“…One strong possibility is that CU traits are associated with a differential response to reward and punishments. As briefly reviewed next, and as reviewed in more detail elsewhere (Byrd, Loeber, & Pardini, 2013), several lines of evidence support this possibility.…”

The Role of Self-Regulation in Academic and Behavioral Paths to a High School Diploma

“…A great deal of theoretical and empirical work has been dedicated to understanding the etiology and development of antisocial behavior in childhood and adolescence (Byrd et al 2014; Hawkins et al 1992; Catalano and Hawkins 1996; Patterson et al 1989; Moffitt 2003; Gottfredson and Hirschi 1990). Fewer studies, however, have examined the role that antisocial behavior plays in academic attainment (Battin-Pearson et al 2000; Newcomb et al 2002; Rumberger 2011).…”

Reward-Related Neural Correlates of Antisocial Behavior and Callous–Unemotional Traits in Young Men

“…Recently, neuroimaging research has focused on connecting emotional deficits seen in AB, such as abnormal fear processing, to altered function in limbic and prefrontal neurocircuitry (3, 4). However, individuals high on AB also show marked behavioral differences in response to reward (5). For example, they perseverate on previously rewarded, but now punished behaviors, engage in greater risk taking, and are less sensitive to punishments and losses (5–9).…”