Abstract. In recent decades, numerous experimental studies have been conducted to test the effectiveness of a particular technique of direct training of brain functions, the so-called neurofeedback, on groups of violent criminals or those suffering from mental disorders or pathologies as a form of treatment aimed at reducing the risks of recidivism and counteracting antisocial tendencies.
Among the many goals that animate this – relatively new – field of research, there is the ambition to replace, or at least accompany, the therapy based on neurofeedback to the traditional prison sentence.
This paper will review some of the most significant studies on the use of neurofeedback techniques in the treatment of offenders, with particular attention to the methods used, the main results obtained and the limits related to each individual investigation.
SUMMARY: 1. Introduction and general information. – Douglas Quirk’s biofeedback and neurofeedback studies on recidivism. – 3. Neurofeedback as a form of treatment for drug addicts: the proposal of David Eagleman. – 4. (continues) Margarita Roso’s experiment with Spanish prisoners. – 5. Neurofeedback and juvenile crime: the study by Peter Smith and Marvin Sams. – 6. Neurofeedback and psychopathic criminals: the German study. – 7. Neurofeedback as a tool for anger control and reduction: the cases presented by Dr. D. Corydon Hammond. – 8. First provisional conclusions.
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Quest'opera è distribuita con Licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale 4.0 Internazionale
