Lesson – Intro to Neurocriminology: Understanding & Treating Criminal and Violent Behavior
Americans are both fascinated by and have a healthy fear of crime and violence. Netflix and Hulu now have a separate “true crime” category in their libraries, and there are a handful of individuals that make millions of dollars running true crime podcasts. Some of them even have a following of amateur sleuths that have helped to solve cold cases. Collectively, we are obsessed with criminal and violent behavior. But, there is much less focus on scientifically understanding it with the aim of decreasing the behavior, reducing incidents of violence, and saving lives.
Neurocriminology is part of the interdisciplinary subfield of criminology that incorporates methodological approaches from a variety of fields of study, including, neuroscience, physiology, genetics, biology, and psychology with the goal to understand, predict, prevent, and treat criminal and violent behaviors. Although there is no single determinant of such behaviors, neurocriminology strives to identify different risk factors that increase the likelihood of specific behaviors.
Intended for professionals, this training introduces attendees to the field of neurocriminology and its potential implications for interviewing, screening, and treatment of criminal justice-involved individuals. Participants can also expect to learn why incorporating neurocriminology research into existing approaches may help allied disciplines (e.g., mental health professionals, substance use treatment providers, human services workers, and forensic psychological professionals) work more effectively with clients who engage in anti-social, concerning, dangerous, problematic, irrational behaviors, and other externalizing behavioral problems. Empirically based research findings will be discussed throughout this training.
Objectives:
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
a). Define neurocriminology and describe how a broad clinical understanding of the subfield can assist in providing care.
b). Learn and understand the neurological, biological, social, and environmental risk factors for crime and violence.
c). Learn and describe neurocriminology-informed screening and intervention approaches.
d). State how neurocriminology can inform interventions aimed at preventing crime and violence.
e). Discuss the implications of neurocriminology in related systems of care.
Target Audience:
Mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers, drug and alcohol counselors, marriage and family therapists, telehealth treatment professionals, and other clinical mental health professionals.
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Instructor(s): Jerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS
Material Author(s): Jerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS
For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.