The Impact of Amygdala Dysfunction on Violence

This article explores the impact of amygdala dysfunction on violent behavior. It discusses the role of the amygdala in fear, anger, and aggression, and how dysfunction in this brain structure can lead to inappropriate social behavior.

Running Head: AMYGDALA DYSFUNCTION 1
The Impact of amygdala dysfunction on violence
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The Impact of amygdala dysfunction on violence
Amygdala is a unique structure located in a human’s forebrain. It is important for
human functioning because the limbic systems depend on it especially during emotional
learning. This directly impacts one’s characteristic of being fearful. This is the section that
detects fear hence preparing a person for any case of emergency. In most cases, one
encounters situations which create fear. This may be fear, heights, scared of darkness or fear
to speak in public. Fear, as such, helps human beings with self-preservation. In addition, the
amygdala has an impact on one’s fear, anger or sadness and at times taking control of
aggressive behavior, (Chang et al. 2018).
Amygdala dysfunction is a situation where its threshold has been set too very low
levels or too high. According to Schumann, Bayuman, and Amaral (2011), these thresholds
have a direct impact on one’s behavior. When the dysfunction leads to low thresholds, the
human being is bound to perceive elements in the environment to have a sort of danger in
them. During this state, an individual shows limited interactions, his or her anxiety is raised
and may fail to have social interactions. On the other hand, when the thresholds are high,
inappropriate social behavior such as violence can occur.
Osumi, Nakao, and others (2013) also associate Amygdala dysfunction with
aggression that comes from frustrations especially in psychopathic individuals. People with
psychopathy are known to have different types of aggression. In this case, amygdala
dysfunction is mentioned by the researcher as the leading cause of violent behavior after
amygdala fails to perform sensitive functionality towards social norms in society, (Leaver et
a., 2018). Similar sentiments are provided by Prager Wynn and Robert, (2016). They state
that the failure to process emotional feelings and anxiety is a contributory factor towards
violence in some cases. This is also coupled up with environmental stimuli that promote rage

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and fear in some subjects. Further research by Williams et al., (2006) indicates that the body
acts as an alarm circuit which is activated during certain events. As such, any fear or actions
that a person feels insecure with triggers the Amygdala hence a violent behavior such as
fighting back, (Saxbe et al., 2018). Fear in most cases is how one physically behaves when
faced by danger. On the other hand, anxiety is a psychological response that triggers the mind
to perceive danger, (Schumann et al., 2011). Psychiatric problems are also documented in
certain individuals that have obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This is mainly seen in men
with the development of FXTAS, (Hessl et al., 2006).
In as much as acts of violence are depicted with those having lower thresholds, there
is a need to have further research on how anxiety, fear, and violence relates, (Cowan et al,
2018). As indicated in the study above, amygdala dysfunction is a known phenomenon that
requires control measures and treatment so that violent acts can be prevented, (Shin, Rauch &
Pitman, 2016). Studies should also go further to seek answers on how this condition
manifests itself in adults and children. A character is essential in a human’s life and this can
be affected by the way amygdala presents itself.

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