On Thu, 2 Sep 1999, Pollak, Edward wrote:
> > Jeff Ricker asked:
> ".....I had a student ask for information about any possible
> > association between brain dysfunctions and criminal violence. Does
> > anyone know of any good articles on this that might be understandable to
> > an undergraduate (and also to me)."
> >
> The obvious (albeit older) book is Mark & Ervin's Violence and the Brain but
> I'm sure it's very dated.
I'd be cautious in recommending this book, especially if it's the only
source consulted. Mark and Ervin are enthusiasts of psychosurgery for
violence and I recall that their evidence in favour is rather slim.
These are controversial views.
Elliot Valenstein might provide a more balanced approach. Check out:
Brain Control : A Critical Examination of Brain Stimulation and
Psychosurgery
and
Great and Desperate Cures : The Rise and Decline of Psychosurgery and
Other Radical Treatments for Mental Illness
There's probably some good stuff on the topic there. But I don't think
his latest book Blaming the Brain (still pending on my must-read list)
deals with that particular issue.
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
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