Patients with ODD have a deficit in punishment processing. They display a lack of fear of punishment which was measured through various ANS responses (heart rate, basal-skin response etc.). This explains why individuals with ODD continue to perform inappropriate behavior due to their insensitivity to punishment cues. 


Punishment processing in ODD Patients


People with ODD experience dysfunction in cognitive, reward processing abilities. Similar to the deficits in punishment processing, people with ODD have a reduced reward sensitivity due to low basal reactivity and adverse learning processes. Thus, people with ODD require increased levels of sensory input to achieve a positive state. Moreover, this may explain the thrill seeking behavior that accompanies ODD.

Reward processing and ODD


Brain structures in the paralimbic system functions to mediate the cognitive control, also known as executive functions, associated with emotion and motivation. 


Cognitive Control Domain


- Punishment processing
- Reward processing
- Cognitive control


Arizona State University

- decreased prefrontal cortical functioning
- decreased activity in left temporal pole
- decreased right dorsolateral prefrontal cortical functioning 

Genetic connections to the Development of DBD's

- familly functioning/ parent-child relationships

Environmental Correlations Related to the Development of DBD's

Matthys, Vanderschuren, L. J. M. J., & Schutter, D. J. L. G. (2013). The neurobiology of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder: Altered functioning in three mental domains. Development and Psychopathology, 25(1), 193–207. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579412000272

The neurobiology of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder: Altered functioning in three mental domains

Underactivation in the left temporal lobe results indiccate reduced socioemotional responses which explain the impulsive factor related to DBD's.

Research Indicates that Youth with Oppositional Behavior display Underactivation in the Left Temporal Pole

Children with oppositional and conduct behaviors have poor top-down processing which results in poor emotional processing. 

FMRI Studies Display Underactivation in the Prefrontal Cortex in Children With Disruptive Behavior

Three Mental Domains Associated with ODD Behavior


The decreased functioning in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex explains the attention deficits associated with conducct behaviors of DBD's. 

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