SÍNTOMAS PREFRONTALES EN DELINCUENTES Y NO DELINCUENTES CON UN MISMO NIVEL EDUCATIVO / [PREFRONTAL SYMPTOMS IN OFFENDERS AND NON-OFFENDERS WITH THE SAME EDUCATION LEVEL]

Abstract

Deficits in executive functions have traditionally been associated with antisocial behaviour. This research aims to test whether people with the same education level inside and outside prison have the same executive functioning. The sample was made up of 40 participants, of both sexes and aged between 18 and 62. The results indicate that there are differences between the two groups in four of the five scales of the Prefrontal Symptom Inventory: Motivational problems, executive control problems, attention problems and social behaviour problems. However, contrary to expectations, the non-delinquent show higher scores on these deficits. Both groups scored higher than the normative samples. The results are discussed with caution given the size of the sample and suggesting that future research should aim to use as a comparison group people who differ only in the fact that they are not offenders. The need to analyse the variables that mediate/moderate the relationship between criminal behaviour and executive functioning is also stated.