Arousal predisposition as a predictor of antisocial and delinquent behavior

The underarousal hypothesis for antisocial and criminal behavior maintains that individuals with criminal tendencies tend to show relatively low levels of autonomic and cortical arousal. Arousability was measured in 754 young adults using the behaviorally validated Arousal Predisposition Scale. Participants also completed a checklist noting any delinquent or antisocial behaviors that they had committed while in high school. A negative linear relationship was found between arousability and the range of delinquent acts committed, thus providing support for the underarousal hypothesis.