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Exploring the Mind of a Killer | Jim Fallon | TED
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Exploring the Mind of a Killer | Jim Fallon | TED

Introduction and Background

In this section, the speaker introduces themselves as a neuroscientist and professor at the University of California. They explain their expertise in studying behavior from genes to circuit analysis. The speaker also mentions how they got involved in analyzing the brains of psychopathic killers.

Neuroscientific Study of Behavior

  • The speaker has studied behavior for over 35 years, focusing on genes, neurotransmitters, dopamine, and circuit analysis.
  • They were asked to analyze the brains of psychopathic killers, which led them to give this talk.

Understanding Psychopathic Killers

This section explores the question of how individuals become psychopathic killers and discusses some key findings from studying their brains.

Brain Analysis of Psychopathic Killers

  • The speaker has studied around 70 brains of psychopathic killers as part of blind experiments.
  • Damage to the orbital cortex (above the eyes) and interior part of the temporal lobe is a common pattern found in serial killers.
  • Different types of brain damage can be observed among psychopaths.

Factors Influencing Psychopathy

This section delves into factors that contribute to psychopathy, including genetics, brain damage, and environmental interactions.

Understanding Genetic and Environmental Interactions

  • Researchers study the interaction between genes, epigenetic effects, brain damage, and environment to understand how individuals become psychopaths or killers.
  • The timing of brain damage plays a crucial role in determining whether someone becomes a psychopath or killer.
  • A specific gene called MAO-A is associated with violent behavior. It is sex-linked on the X chromosome and primarily affects males due to inheritance patterns.

Serotonin and Violence

This section explores the role of serotonin in relation to psychopathy and violence.

Serotonin and Brain Development

  • Too much brain serotonin during development can lead to insensitivity to serotonin later in life.
  • Individuals with a specific gene variant related to serotonin regulation may exhibit violent behavior if exposed to significant violence during early development.
  • Constant exposure to violence in certain areas may result in generations of individuals prone to psychopathy or aggression.

Generational Effects and Concentration of Genes

This section discusses the potential consequences of constant exposure to violence and how it can concentrate genes associated with psychopathy.

Generational Effects and Gene Concentration

  • Constant exposure to violence may lead to generations of individuals who witness and experience violence, potentially increasing the concentration of genes associated with psychopathy.
  • In violent areas, young girls may seek out tough partners for protection, further concentrating these genes.
  • Over several generations, this concentration could create a volatile situation.

Personal Family History

The speaker shares their personal family history, which includes both notable figures and murderers.

Surprising Family Tree

  • The speaker's mother reveals that their family tree includes both Ezra Cornell (founder of Cornell University) and Lizzie Borden (a notorious murderer).
  • Further research uncovers multiple murderers on the speaker's father's side, including matricide.
  • Despite having peaceful immediate family members, there is a historical pattern of occasional violent behavior.

Moral Lessons and Future Concerns

This section reflects on moral lessons learned from personal family history and raises concerns about future generations.

Moral Lessons Learned

  • The speaker emphasizes that people should not judge others without considering their own family history.
  • The speaker's children seem unaffected by the family history, but there are concerns about future generations.

Taking Action and Genetic Analysis

This section discusses the steps taken to address concerns about potential genetic predispositions in the speaker's family.

Genetic Analysis and Future Preparations

  • PET scans, EEGs, and genetic analysis are being conducted on family members to identify any potential genetic issues.
  • One son and one daughter have similar brain patterns, indicating a possible shared predisposition.
  • The speaker acknowledges that there may be future challenges but remains uncertain where they will arise.

Timestamps provided are approximate and may vary slightly.

Channel: TED
Video description

http://www.ted.com psychopathic killers are the basis for some must-watch TV, but what really makes them tick? Neuroscientist Jim Fallon talks about brain scans and genetic analysis that may uncover the rotten wiring in the nature (and nurture) of murderers. In a too-strange-for-fiction twist, he shares a fascinating family history that makes his work chillingly personal. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10