Comparison of Executive Functions in Offenders and Non-Offenders: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Executive function is one of the structures that explain aggressive and violent behavior. However, the existing literature has inconsistencies regarding criminal behavior due to the division of executive functions into three constructs: inhibition, monitoring, and task shifting. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to assess the effect of executive functions on criminal behavior and the second aim is to examine the impact of executive functions on different crime types. The research is based on a meta-analysis of 17 studies which were selected upon the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis involved calculating individual effect sizes for each study and then the overall effect size was calculated by using the random effects model. Then subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate the differences due to crime types and psychological assessment tools. The results revealed that offenders made more errors in tasks involving executive functions than non-offenders and the findings were consistent with the literature. Additionally, no publication bias was found in the study. It is expected that this study will lay the groundwork for future studies.The research is based on a meta-analysis of 17 studies which were selected upon the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis involved calculating individual effect sizes for each study and then the overall effect size was calculated by using the random effects model. Then subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate the differences due to crime types and psychological assessment tools. The results revealed that offenders made more errors in tasks involving executive functions than non-offenders and the findings were consistent with the literature. Additionally, no publication bias was found in the study. It is expected that this study will lay the groundwork for future studies.