Criminal Psychology

About this Elective

Campus: Wellesley College | Rising Grades: 10,11,12 | Program: EXPLO Pre-College

Why do people commit crimes? Examine the thoughts and behavior of people who commit crimes, all while considering the various internal and external factors that lead to criminal actions, including biological predisposition, childhood experiences, the use of illicit substances, socialization, education level, and more. Profile serial killers and perpetrators of organized crime to learn the psychological motivation behind their behaviors. Then analyze the commonalities among those who commit crimes, learn the theories used to profile criminals and their victims, and discover how different types of crimes correlate to various personality traits and backgrounds. Apply what you’ve learned to case studies of incarcerated individuals, and examine the consequences of punitive justice versus restorative justice.