Brain Correlates of Impulsivity in Police Officers: A Neurocognitive and Ethnological Exploration

ABSTRACT

Police represents an institution that regulates the social welfare where the officers assimilate the behavioral codes to perform their functions. One of the problems identified in the police officer's behaviors refers to aggressive expressions, probably linked with impulsive reactions. In this report, we show an exploratory study to elucidate the neurocognitive correlation of impulsivity in a Mexican sample of police officers. These neural correlates were obtained during the execution of cognitive paradigms in functional magnetic resonance imaging. Brain functional data were complemented and interpreted through ethnological observations and psychometrical evaluations. Results suggest that the functional neurocognitive system regulating inhibitory reactions and impulsivity are based on moral and behavioral codes learned during the police training and practice. Aggression detected in this police department could be linked more with the perception of unfairness within the police organization but not with impulsive factors. Neurocognitive and ethnological approaches conform complementary strategies for more precise evaluation of aggressive expressions in police performance.