Differences in Executive Function Between Batterers and Other Criminals

ABSTRACT

While the neuropsychological profile of criminals has been studied extensively, there is little neuropsychological research on batterers, and there is no study that compares both groups. The main objective of the present study was to examine executive functioning of male batterers, in comparison with other criminals, using a comprehensive executive functioning battery. Data were obtained from a sample of 28 men sentenced for intimate partner violence (IPV), and 35 criminals sentenced for other crimes. Results showed that batterers were more inflexible, but less impulsive than other criminals. These results provide a preliminary understanding of executive functioning in IPV batterers.

KEYWORDS:

• Impulsivity
• inflexibility
• intimate partner violence
• neuropsychology

Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the support of the General Secretary of Penitentiary Institutions, Ministry of the Interior, Spain.

Funding

The research described in this study was financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (Project: PSI 2009-13585), Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project: PSI2013-42792-R), and Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Science from the Andalusian Government (Project: P2012-SEJ1723).

Additional information

Funding

The research described in this study was financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (Project: PSI 2009-13585), Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project: PSI2013-42792-R), and Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Science from the Andalusian Government (Project: P2012-SEJ1723).