Basic executive processes in incarcerated offenders

Executive processes are usually defined by the control and regulation of cognitive functioning. Impairments on these executive processes may have damaging effects on behavior. The present study focuses on antisocial behavior. Research regarding the relationships between antisocial behavior and executive function suffers from several methodological concerns and, consequently, equivocal conclusions are widespread. Here we measure three basic executive functions – updating, shifting, and inhibition – whose underlying cognitive processes are well defined. Fluid and crystallized intelligence were also measured. Twenty-four incarcerated offenders were systematically compared to 32 controls on these measures. Results show that there are significant average differences on updating and fluid intelligence, but not on shifting, inhibition and crystallized intelligence. These findings call into question general statements claiming that deficits in executive processes are an antecedent to antisocial behavior. Some implications for prevention and treatment programs are discussed.