| Abstract: |
Research on the relationship between neurobiological factors and antisocial behavior has grown exponentially in
recent decades. As a result, criminal behavior has been related to impairments in different biological systems, such as genetics, hormones and brain functioning. The development of innovative techniques, for example brain
imaging techniques and physiological measurements, can partially explain the increase in neurobiological studies
on criminal behavior. Despite a recent zeitgeist change, which has led to a greater acceptance of neurobiology as
an additional approach for the study of criminal behavior, neurobiological measurements dot not yet play a more
significant role in criminological research and practice. This article aims to familiarize crime researchers and other interested readers with two important neurobiological measures, namely neuropsychological assessment and
resting heart rate measurement, and with how these measures can play an important role in criminological
research. It will argue that neuroscientific approaches might benefit the field of criminology in several important
ways, from assessing the empirical validity of criminological theories to improving the effectiveness of correctional intervention programs. Furthermore, this article will provide insight into how to use these measures in research, to guide interested readers towards their application in their own studies. |
