Rebecca Lilly Advisor: Dr. Mindy Korol Psychology professor Mount. St. Mary’s College

The analysis of how the brain affects criminal behavior. What is Neurocriminology?

Does the development of the brain have any affect on whether or not someone will be capable of committing murder later on in his or her life? Research Question

Whether or not mental illness plays a role in murderers The emotional state of murderers The brain of murderers Brain deficiency We will discuss

“Despite popular perceptions, evidence actually suggests the mentally ill are no more prone to violence than the general population.” - Greg Noth Mental Illness Not Sole Cause For Murder?

“Studies show the mentally ill are more likely to be the victims of violent crimes themselves than the criminal perpetrators.” - Greg Noth Mental Illness Not Sole Cause For Murder?

Mental Illness contribution to crimes = 3-5% Mental Illness Not Sole Cause For Murder?

Murderers Lack Being Able to Understand Emotions of Others “They see the world as being like their own personal chess board with people and objects as pawns.” -Stanton Samenow

Murderers Lack Being Able to Understand Emotions of Others See themselves as victims “ Just because I killed someone doesn’t mean I’m a bad guy” claimed a man who shot a store clerk at a hold up

Brain Development is Based on Biological and Environmental Factors Environmental factors such as poor nutrition at a young age can result in brain deficiencies.

A Murderers’ Brain Lacks Certain Activity Found in “Normal” Brains Murderers' brains shows what appears to be a significant reduction in the development of the prefrontal cortex, "the executive function" of the brain.

Less control over the limbic system that generates primal emotions such as anger and rage 1.addiction to risk 2.reduction in self-control 3. poor problem-solving skills Brain Deficiency results in:

Processing of emotions Linked to both fear responses and pleasure Its size is positively correlated with aggressive behavior across species. The Amygdala

Newspaper article Educate people on why murderers act the way they do Give people information on how important early development is Product Idea

Murderers cannot empathize or sympathize with others Many factors can determine way brain develops Murderer brain ≠ “normal” brain physically In Conclusion

Only high school course that allows the student to study his or her area of interest Develop professional skills by interviewing and working with an advisor Gain research skills that can be applied to other courses and college Learn how to locate and use resources efficiently for research Prepares student for intern/mentor program Independent Research

Opportunity to explore a career interest by interning 4-5 hours a week with his or her own transportation Provides contact with professionals who may offer you summer employment or recommendations for colleges/ jobs Library use, research paper writing, goal setting, personal organizational skills, public speaking, demonstrate professional behavior with adults, independence Intern/Mentor Program

Adams, Tim. "How to Spot a Murderer's Brain." Theguardian. TheObserver, 11 May Web. 11 Oct age=index&cPath=85 age=index&cPath=85 ormality_may_cause_criminal_behavior Works Cited

Noth, Greg. "People with Mental Illness Arn't Actually More Prone to Violence." Think Progress. 17 Dec Web. 27 Sept < 1/ Samenow, Stanton E. "'Evil' Exists,But Not as a Diagnosis." Psychology Today. Ed. Sussex. Sussex, 14 Mar Web. 30 Sept Works Cited