I am interested in identifying neurobiological bases of externalizing behavior in children, adolescents, and adults using psychophysiological method (e.g. electrodermal conditioning, P300). 1) what are the neurobiological deficits and which brain circuits are involved? 2) are they specific to aggressive individuals with psychopathic characteristics? 3) do children/adolescents show similar deficits as observed in adults? 4) are neurobiology-aggression associations moderated by psychosocial factors? 5) are there any cultural differences in the above associations?

 

    Using Iowa gambling task, I have been examining decision making deficits in community psychopaths and psychopathic-like adolescents. 1) do successful psychopaths show decision making deficits as observed in unsuccessful criminal psychopaths? 2) what factors predispose to decision making deficits? 3) which aspects of psychopathy are more closely related to decision making deficits?

 

    Using latent growth curve analysis, I have been investigating developmental trajectories of cognitive (e.g. orienting) and emotional (e.g. fear conditioning) in early childhood.

 

I am also interested in genetic influences on decision making and psychophysiological measures (e.g. EEG).