Criminal Psychology

Prefrontal Cortex

Involved in decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Damage or dysfunction in this area can be linked to difficulties in these areas, which are all important for following the law and behaving appropriately in social situations.

Amygdala

Processes emotions like fear and aggression. Overactivity in the amygdala may be linked to strong emotional responses that can be difficult to control, potentially increasing the risk of impulsive or aggressive behaviour.

Temporal Lobe

Plays a role in processing emotions and social cues. Dysfunction in the temporal lobe can make it difficult to understand how others are feeling or what their intentions are. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, which can be risk factors for criminal behaviour.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Key features include disregard for the law, manipulative behaviour, and a lack of remorse. People with this disorder may be more likely to engage in criminal activity due to their disregard for rules and the rights of others.

Schizophrenia

Back: Can involve hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. In rare cases, people with schizophrenia may commit crimes due to their distorted perceptions of reality, believing they are acting in self-defence or following commands from hallucinations.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Can cause symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. People with PTSD may be more likely to engage in criminal behavior if they are struggling to cope with trauma, such as through self-medication with substances or reacting to perceived threats in a heightened way.

Expressive Behaviours (Verbal & Nonverbal)

Trained observers look for cues like fidgeting, changes in voice pitch, or avoiding eye contact. These can indicate nervousness, but also depend on culture, personality, and baseline behaviour. Not a reliable lie detector on its own.

Polygraph (Galvanic Skin Response)

Measures physiological changes like heart rate and sweating. Theory is liars experience anxiety, showing in these responses. However, anxiety can come from the test itself, and skilled liars can control their responses. Polygraph results are not accepted in most courts.

Limitations of Lie Detection Techniques

These techniques provide clues, but are not perfect. Anxiety unrelated to lying can affect results. Cultural differences and personality traits can influence behaviour. Lie detection should not be the only way to determine the truth.