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The Resident-intruder Paradigm: A Standardized Test for Aggression, Violence and Social Stress
Published on: July 4, 2013
Environmental causes of violence
David O Carpenter1, Rick Nevin
1Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA. carpent@uamail.albany.edu
Physiology & Behavior
|September 18, 2009
Summary
Environmental toxins like lead may significantly increase violent behavior by impacting neurodevelopment. Preventing exposure to these contaminants could be a key strategy in crime reduction efforts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Criminology
Background:
- Violent and antisocial behavior are typically linked to social factors like poverty and poor education.
- Environmental contaminants, such as lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, and methyl mercury, are increasingly recognized for their neurobehavioral effects.
- These effects include lowered IQ, shortened attention spans, and increased antisocial behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the under-recognized role of environmental contaminant exposure as a predisposing factor for violent behavior.
- To explore the neurobehavioral effects of various environmental exposures and their correlation with antisocial tendencies.
- To examine the potential link between historical environmental contaminant trends and contemporary crime rates.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on environmental exposures and neurobehavioral outcomes.
- Analysis of studies documenting neurobehavioral effects of lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, methyl mercury, arsenic, and secondhand smoke (SHS).
- Examination of ecologic correlations between historical preschool blood lead levels and national violent crime trends with a 20-year lag.
Main Results:
- Lead exposure in early life is associated with a pattern of neurobehavioral deficits, including lowered IQ and increased antisocial behavior.
- Similar neurobehavioral patterns are observed following exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, methyl mercury, arsenic, and secondhand smoke.
- Ecologic data suggest a correlation between past blood lead levels and current violent crime rates, indicating potential long-term impacts.
Conclusions:
- Environmental contaminants can cause irreversible brain alterations, predisposing individuals to violent behavior later in life.
- Preventing exposure to neurotoxic environmental contaminants may be a crucial, yet overlooked, strategy for reducing crime rates.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the complex relationship between environmental exposures and violent behavior.
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