Low Resting Heart Rate, Self-Control, and Psychopathy

• In Event: Genetic and Biological Influences on Criminal Behavior and its Correlates

Abstract

Many studies have examined the biological factors that influence behaviors that are of interest to criminologists. A review of this research has shown that low resting heart rate is one of the most consistently replicated biological correlates of antisocial behavior. The current study seeks to further integrate biology into criminological theories by examining the relationship between low resting heart rate, self-control, and psychopathy using a sample of university students. The implications of our findings are discussed from a biosocial perspective.

Authors

• Danielle Boisvert, Sam Houston State University

• Jessica Wells, Sam Houston State University

• Todd Armstrong, Sam Houston State University

• Brian B. Boutwell, Saint Louis University

• Matt R. Nobles, Sam Houston State University

• David Gangitano, Sam Houston State University