Publication
Title
Impairment of both reward and punishment learning in males who have sexually offended against a child
Author
Abstract
Prior studies suggest that persons with a sexual offense against a child (PSOCs) present with an impairment in learning from reinforcement, which may contribute to the behavioral dysregulation often seen in PSOCs. Therefore, gaining more insight into the nature of this impairment seems essential to better understand child sexual (re)offending. Using a passive avoidance task, we found that PSOCs (n = 57) have difficulties with selecting behaviors that are associated with reward and suppressing behaviors that are associated with punishment relative to nonoffending men (n = 33), but not compared with persons with a nonsexual offense history (n = 31). The latter ability was particularly compromised in nonpedophilic PSOCs. By unraveling a source of pathology in the mechanisms that are involved in behavioral control, this study helps setting a step toward new, more tailored, therapeutic approaches.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Sexual abuse : a journal of research and treatment. - New York, N.Y.
Publication
Thousand oaks : Sage publications inc , 2019
ISSN
1079-0632
DOI
10.1177/1079063219871579
Volume/pages
p. 1-27
Article Reference
UNSP 1079063219871579
ISI
000484470500001
Pubmed ID
31462171
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Law 
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.09.2019
Last edited 28.10.2024
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