Executive Functioning and Childhood Psychosocial Deprivation in Homicide Offenders: Comparisons of Single, Double, and Serial Killers in a Forensic Sample

• In Event: Neurocriminological Factors for Antisocial Behaviors and Their Implications

Abstract

Empirical understanding of individuals characterized by extreme and repetitive violence is currently lacking. While executive functioning (EF) in general—and decision-making abilities in particular—have been examined in individuals characterized by violence, to date, this approach has not been extended to comparisons among single, double, and serial killers. The potential impact of childhood psychosocial deprivation upon decision-making deficits has also not been systematically explored in these individuals. Forensic psychological evaluation data (clinical interviews and a comprehensive battery of psychological tests including measures of neuropsychological functioning) from multiple examinees accused of homicide were utilized for the present study. Performance on several EF measures, including the Iowa Gambling Task, will be analyzed in conjunction with childhood psychosocial deprivation factors in group comparisons among killer types. Implications for a “next wave” of serial killer research that moves beyond singular forms of assessment will be discussed, as will the potential contributions of neurocriminological methods to treatment and prevention applications related to individuals on the outermost end of the violence continuum.

Authors

• Grace Hyojean Min, California State University, Long Beach

• Shichun Ling, California State University, Los Angeles

• Robert Schug, California State University, Long Beach