Murderous Minds Paperback – July 15, 2021

“The negative consequences of having a wide gap between the educated and the uneducated are as dangerous as having a wide economic gap between the haves and the have-nots.” The book thus ends with words from the author, Dr. Dean A. Haycock, aptly describing a theme that travels throughout its pages. Throughout, Dr. Haycock seeks to rectify that situation.The intention of the author was to make the information accessible to all, with enough description to allow a layman to understand while still holding value for those in the field of neuroscience. Being in the former group, while I did struggle a few times grasping some of the terms, nothing was too difficult and at worst I was forced to read a few of the earlier chapters at a slower pace than normal. The accompanying real-life examples of criminal and non-criminal psychopaths was extremely helpful. While the author relates the background info of murderers most of us are familiar with – Eric Harris/Dylan Klebold (Columbine), Jared Loughner (Tucson-Gabby Giffords) – there are also lesser know criminals whose stories will illuminate and help achieve deeper understanding of the subject matter.However, the book is not merely a grouping of definitions and examples. As Dr. Haycock points out, even within the field of neuroscience not everyone agrees with the data that has been compiled. In fact, interpretation of that data is also sometimes debated. Couple those discussions with the legal ramifications and it is easy to see that this book will give readers plenty to think about. The author presents everything in a matter-of-fact way, and is quite fair in presenting all sides of an issue if there is disagreement. Based on the book’s presentation, I would have to say that the goal of educating readers has been achieved.Recommended for those who are interested in the field of neuroscience. Unless you are heavy into the clinical aspects of why people commit murderous crimes, readers of true crime might find this a bit scientific (still a good read). Also recommended as good background info for crime writers. Five stars.

This is a life changing book for anyone who needs an explanation for a behavior there is no logical rational or coherent explanation for. A normal person does not go around killing innocent people. If you want the latest science and the best research on the darkest minds that walk the earth, then choose this book.

Unfortunately, crimes occur on a daily basis. These crimes can range anywhere from its mildest form of an infraction to more serious crimes known as a felony. How can one find themselves in the far end of this crime spectrum? In other words, why do criminals commit the worst behavior imaginable: murder?Today, neuroscientists are looking at the brain as a source for insight as to why people have these violent tendencies that can lead them towards committing murder. In particular, neuroscientists are looking at the brains of psychopaths: those who lack a conscience. In Murderous Minds, neuroscientist Dean Haycock takes us on a journey that examines the different patterns of brain activity in psychopaths, and to what extent such patterns can influence their psychopathic behavior. Throughout the book, Haycock provides ample research that indicates how differences in brain structure/function, genetic markers, as well as environmental factors play a role in psychopathic behavior. In addition, he discusses the limitations of the techniques used to round up the research presented in the book. With the powerful line of research that he offers, Haycock helps us understand the psychopathic individual.Before delving into the mind of a psychopath, Haycock describes the general features of a psychopathic individual. He emphasizes how psychopathy differs from a psychosis. Although both of these individuals can commit the same type of crimes, their mental states are different. The difference is that a psychopath is aware of their actions and knows that it is wrong. Essentially, they are touch in with reality. By contrast, a psychotic person is out of touch with reality; they are encumbered with delusions and cannot differentiate between reality and the thoughts within their head. Other key features of psychopathy include lack of empathy, lack of conscience, superficial charm, impulsiveness and callousness. Although these are some features that describe psychopathy, psychologists are not in full agreement as to what a psychopath is. Once full agreement takes place, researchers can gather meaningful data about what differentiates a psychopath’s brain from a normal brain. A direct way to do this is through the use of one of neuroscience’s most popular tool: functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).With the use of fMRI, scientists have reported subtle differences in structure and function between psychopaths and non-psychopaths. It provides us brain scans that reflect the brain activity of working brains. The overall trend of fMRI research suggests is that psychopathy can be linked with impaired regions of the brain that regulate emotions. The network involving these regions is known as the prefrontal-temporal-limbic system. Psychopathic behavior is linked to impairment in the structures belonging to this system. Impairments include decreased volume of gray matter, decreased brain activity, and disturbances of neural pathways that link regions within this prefrontal-temporal-limbic system. These impairments can affect the regulation of emotions; studies have linked the psychopath’s inability to process emotions to such impairments.Even though the fMRI provides brain scans that reveal these brain impairments, it comes with limitations. Haycock indicates that changes in the brain’s blood activity aren’t large; they are small changes that are difficult to identify since the brain’s activity is like “noise” consisting of many signals. In addition, Haycock encourages the audience to be wary when looking at brain scans, particularly when looking at the color coding; color coding may give the illusion of huge differences in brain activity when little actually exists. Despite of its limitations, fMRI has provided the groundwork in outlining a pattern that points to problems involving regions of the cerebral cortex.Problems involving the cerebral cortex can also be linked to genetic variation. Genetic variation can influence a person’s behavior. Furthermore, the different effects of genes on brain development can influence a person’s violent tendencies. Specifically, the variations of genes can affect the metabolism of certain neurotransmitters. Studies have indicated that the inheritance of the “warrior” gene can be linked towards aggressive behavior. Another genetic variation affecting the metabolic of serotonin has also be linked to putting an individual at risk for developing psychopathy. Haycock, however, emphasizes that inheriting one or even multiple genes does not make someone violent or a psychopath. More importantly, it is not yet known what specific genes might influence psychopathic behavior.If certain genes are not yet identified, then how about environmental factors? What role does it play in the development of psychopathy? Haycock introduces the issue of an environment involving child abuse. He draws upon a Swedish longitudinal study that revealed that children who were exposed to high victimization were more aggressive and scored higher on the PCL test (measure of psychopathy) compared to those males form the same background, but were not abused. This study replicated the results from a previous study that had a larger sample size located in the US Midwest. Given the results, research suggests a connection between child abuse and the risk of developing psychopathy. However, Haycock points out that even though there may be a connection between the two variables, it isn’t required for the development of psychopathy. He supports this by providing case studies where real life psychopaths, such as Eric Harris, were raised by decent parents.Given the research regarding fMRI brain scans, genetic variations and environmental factors, there seems to be more than one way of influencing the development of psychopathy. Even though research has shown correlations that point to problems in the subcortical regions of the brain, it is not possible to create a cause-and-effect relationship between brain impairments and psychopathy. One thing that we can confidently say is that psychopathic individuals display different brain activity patterns compared to non-psychopaths in regions involving the processing of emotion and making moral decisions.If one has a keen interest in learning about the nervous system, more specifically in the brains of psychopath, I recommend this. However, I believe it would be a little difficult to read for those who are not familiar with the vocabulary used in neuroscience. Since I’m currently taking intro to Neuroscience, I already have a sense of familiarity with most of the terms which aided my reading comprehension; this was particular beneficial for me when I read the section regarding how fMRI worked and its limitations. Haycock uses many of these technical terms which can bog down the audience. Even though Haycock cites plenty of scientific studies that are highly informative regarding the brain activity of psychopaths, I wish he provided more case studies of real life psychopaths.Given my evaluation, I would give this book 4 out of 5 starts. Haycock does an excellent job in providing a narrative that describes the behavior of psychopathic individuals in scientific terms by providing ample fMRI research. However, he needs to balance much of the scientific research provided with more case studies of real life psychopaths that would illustrate much of the typical psychopathic behaviors discussed in the book.

I can't say I enjoyed reading this book. It has in-depth explanations about people with murderous minds, so some of the information the author shared, surprised me. It's not a layman read - like "Alone with the Devil" by Courtroom Psychiatrist [M.D. Ronald Markman. This book is more analytical. That being said, it is well written & documented. It holds the readers interest to the end.

This was a well written book and was somewhat interesting. However, it really read almost like a textbook and seemed quite redundant to me. Granted, 1 semester of psychology 101 is the extent of my background, so I am sure that readers with more education in this field would find it interesting. I knew it would be somewhat technical, just thought it would discuss the practical side of psychopathy more and that it would give more case histories. There were very few of those. But if you want to know about the brain in detail, this is the book for you.

If you have questions about psychopaths here you go a great book that is explained in laymen terms which is simply but not to simple. explains the neurological science of how the brain of a psychopath is wired. Since we are surrounded by psychopaths and don't even know it I do think this is a must ready for everybody.

Well researched. Fascinating accounts and case studies. Well written — easy to understand. Gives deeper understanding of the human mind and behavior.