Femme et Homme
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Extrait
Background and study aims Previous research has shown that juvenile offenders overestimate the presence of anger in ambiguous facial expressions. This might result in inappropriate social responses, such as reacting aggressively or violently, which might help explain adolescent offender aggression. Using a computer-generated facial expression sequence that runs from anger to happiness, training can change the point at which an ambiguous expression changes from being perceived as angry to being perceived as happy. In pilot work, training was associated with a reduction in aggressive behaviour. The aim of our new study is to repeat and extend this work over a longer period. We think that modifying emotion perception to induce a shift towards perceiving an expression as happy instead of angry will reduce subsequent aggressive behaviour. Who can participate? The study will recruit participants detained at a secure childrens home in South Wales, aged between 13 and 17 years old. What does the study involve? The participants will be randomly allocated to either a treatment group, which will receive feedback designed to shift their perceptions of ambiguous faces as displaying happiness rather than anger, or a control group, which will receive feedback not designed to shift their perceptions. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Participants in the treatment group may display reduced levels of aggression following completion of the computer-based intervention. There is no evidence to suggest that completing this type of intervention will lead to an increase in displays of aggressive behaviour. As the study will use data that are collected as part of the daily running of the children's home, the intervention should have minimal adverse impact on the daily routine of the participants. Where is the study run from? Hillside Secure Children's Home in Neath, South Wales, UK When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for? April 2012 to September 2012 Who is funding the study? Investigator initiated and funded Who is the main contact? Professor Marcus Munafò [email protected]
Critère d'inclusion
- Aggression among juvenile offenders