Executive function is associated with antisocial behavior and aggression in athletes

Micai, M., Kavussanu, M. and Ring, C. (2015) Executive function is associated with antisocial behavior and aggression in athletes. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 37 (5). pp. 469-476. ISSN 0895-2779 doi: 10.1123/jsep.2015-0021

Abstract/Summary

Poor executive function has been linked to increased antisocial and aggressive behavior in clinical and nonclinical populations. The present study investigated the relationship between executive and nonexecutive cognitive function and antisocial behavior in sport as well as reactive and proactive aggression. Cognitive function was assessed in young adult male and female athletes using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Antisocial behavior in sport and aggression were assessed via self-report instruments and were found to be positively correlated. Executive function (but not nonexecutive function) scores were negatively correlated with both self-reported antisocial behavior and aggression in males but not females. Our findings suggest that prefrontal deficits among male athletes could contribute to poor impulse control and difficulty in anticipating the consequences of their antisocial and aggressive behavior.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/70824
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	No Reading authors. Back catalogue items University of Reading Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords	Executive function, Sport, Gender, Transgressive behavior
Publisher	Human Kinetics
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item