The science of violence: As the toll of teen violence grows, scientists search for reasons why - Life Science: Teen Health The Brain Hormones - research - Statistical Data Included

Science World, Oct 15, 2001 by Pearl Gaskins

One study reports that the prefrontal cortex--the brain region that keeps emotions such as aggression in check--showed below-normal activity in 42 murderers.

A deficiency in three brain chemicals--dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin--B has been linked to aggression.

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RELATED ARTICLE: The Neurobiology of Relationships

BY DR. BRUCE PERRY

THIS IS THE FIRST OF SIX ARTICLES BY DR. BRUCE PERRY ON "CORE STRENGTHS" THAT CAN HELP PREVENT TEEN VIOLENCE. DR. PERRY IS THE PROVINCIAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH IN ALBERTA, CANADA. WATCH FOR HIS ARTICLES IN THE NEXT FIVE ISSUES OF SCIENCE WORLD.

Humans are built for love. And the machinery to form and maintain emotional relationships lies in the brain. If someone breaks your heart, the pain is caused by neurons, a network of nerve cells in the brain's limbic system--not your heart. When you form a strong emotional connection or attachment to someone, it's possible because the relationship-mediating systems in your brain are in good working order. And attachment is one reason why most people never become violent.

The neural systems involved in emotional relationships are interconnected to brain systems that mediate pleasure. When someone we're attracted to smiles at us, we feel good. This feature of the brain--getting pleasure from other people--helps create a healthy society.

We are born completely dependent. This means someone has to sacrifice energy, time, and comfort in order for us to survive and thrive. The currency for this human transaction is love. The bond between a loving mother and child provides the reward to keep her going. In turn, the mother's behaviors--rocking, smiling, singing, touching--are transformed by a baby's sensory apparatus into neural activity, which helps the "emotion" systems in an infant's brain develop normally.

When a child doesn't receive consistent loving attention, he or she develops an impaired capacity for emotional relationships. In extreme cases of early emotional neglect, children can grow up with little capacity to relate to and understand others--or empathize. This puts the child at risk for a host of problems, including the capacity to hurt others without any feeling of remorse.

FACTOID: In studies of violent offenders, more than 80% have abnormalities in attachment capacity--in contrast to approximately 12% in the general population.

Did You Know?

* Homicide is the second-leading cause of death for American youths 15-24 years old--accidents are the leading cause of death. Homicide is the leading cause of death for African-Americans 15-24 years old.

* Of the 103,900 youths under 18 arrested for serious crimes in 1999, 1,400 were arrested for murder and 69,600 for aggravated assault, according to the National Center for Juvenile Justice.

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Directions: Write a short essay to answer the following questions:

1. Do you think violent images on TV or violent music lyrics contribute to teen violence? Why or why not? Use specific TV shows or recording artists to support your point of view.