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Biology and Personality: Findings from a Longitudinal Project

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Psychopathy: Theory, Research and Implications for Society

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASID,volume 88))

Abstract

The activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) in blood platelets, which is assumed to reflect central serotonergic function (for a review, see Oreland, 1993), has been found to be of particular interest in understanding the biological bases for antisocial behavior and psychosocial disorders. Platelet MAO activity has recently been found to be related to persistent criminal behavior over the life span in a group of males with a history of early criminal behavior (Ahn et al., 1994). This finding is of interest, since impulsivity-related personality traits, associated with platelet MAO activity (for a review, see Schalling, 1993) have, in turn, been shown to be useful as intermediates between biological ‘vulnerability’ and psychosocial disturbances, such as criminal behavior, alcohol problems and other forms of psychosocial disorders and disinhibitory syndromes (Barratt & Patton, 1983; af Klinteberg, Humble & Schalling, 1992; White et al., 1994). It has been proposed that only some aspects of the impulsivity concept, like those more related to disinhibitory tendencies, might be critical for the association with indications of dysfunctioning central serotonergic turnover (af Klinteberg et al., 1992). Of special interest for the present issue is violent behavior. High impulsivity indicates a vulnerability to act in a destructive way in stressful situations, often combined with a weak ability to foresee consequences of one’s own behavior (Gorenstein & Newman, 1980; Shapiro, 1965).

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  1. Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Britt Af Klinteberg

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  1. Britt Af Klinteberg
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  1. Douglas Inch Centre, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK

    David J. Cooke

  2. Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

    Adelle E. Forth

  3. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Robert D. Hare

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Klinteberg, B. (1998). Biology and Personality: Findings from a Longitudinal Project. In: Cooke, D.J., Forth, A.E., Hare, R.D. (eds) Psychopathy: Theory, Research and Implications for Society. NATO ASI Series, vol 88. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3965-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3965-6_7

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