Rewriting the crime divide: how executive functions and social cognition processes challenge violence classifications in the Colombian prison population

Background Executive functions (EF) and social cognition (SC) are fundamental to self-regulation and social behavior. Their impairment has been associated with criminal behavior, yet few studies integrate both areas, especially in highly violent contexts such as Colombia. Objective This observational study compared neuropsychological performance in EF (flexibility, working memory, and inhibition) and SC (emotional recognition and empathy) among males convicted of violent crimes (VC), nonviolent crimes (NVC), and a control group (CG). Methods A total of 117 men (39 per group), matched for age and educational level, participated in a case-control design. Standardized tests were administered: M-WCST, WAIS-IV subscales, Stroop, Mini-SEA, and Pain Empathy Task. Results Both groups of inmates performed worse on EF compared to the CG, with the difference being significant only in working memory. On SC, the NVC group showed better recognition of negative emotions, while the VC group was able to identify the emotion of sadness more accurately. Both groups showed greater affective empathy and empathic concern than the CG, and the VC group stood out for its cognitive empathy. Conclusion These findings show diverse profiles that don’t fit into the violent/nonviolent classification, highlighting the complexity of criminal behavior and the need to expand research with integrative approaches that allow for a better understanding of criminal behavior from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience.