1 answer
Kamryn
Student
Temperance, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
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How to know if your majors will be truly helpful?
If I were to choose criminology and psychology majors, would those be beneficial if I want to focus on why criminals do the things they do and how their brains differ from 'normal' people's brains?
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1 answer
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Kamryn,
Yes, criminology + psychology is a strong combination for understanding why people commit crimes, and how criminal behavior differs from typical behavior. But depending on how extensively you want to study the brain especially, you may choose to add or substitute certain courses or minors.
Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:
Together, these majors give you:
Criminology
- Theories of criminal behavior
- Patterns and causes of crime
- How social, environmental, and systemic factors shape criminal actions
- Exposure to forensic topics and justice system processes
Psychology
- Human behavior and cognition
- Personality, development, mental disorders
- Research methods and statistics
- Basics of how the brain influences behavior
If you want to understand crime from both a social and behavioral perspective, this combination is perfect.
But if you're especially interested in “how criminals' brains differ,” consider brain-focused coursework.
Psychology on its own briefly addresses the brain, but not in profound scientific detail.
If you want to explore neurological or biological distinctions, then consider:
Optional additions:
- Neuroscience minor
- Biopsychology concentration
- Cognitive science minor
- Forensic psychology coursework
Helpful classes to look for:
- Brain & Behavior
- Abnormal Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroanatomy
- Forensic Psychology
- Biological Bases of Behavior
- Research Methods & Statistics
These help you understand not just why crime happens, but what’s happening in the brain.
Career Paths This Combines Well With
Depending on what level of schooling you continue to:
Bachelor’s level
- Case management
- Victim advocacy
- Probation/rehabilitation support
- Research assistant roles
Master’s level
- Forensic psychologist (with further training)
- Criminal profiler (rare, highly specialized)
- Licensed counselor specializing in offenders
Doctoral level
- Forensic neuropsychologist
- Researcher studying brain differences in offenders
- University professor in criminology or neuroscience
Bottom Line
Yes, criminology + psychology is a great and useful major mix.
But if your focus is especially the neuroscience of criminal conduct, then adding coursework or a minor in neuroscience, biopsychology, or cognitive science will make your education much more aligned with that objective.
Best wishes!
Yes, criminology + psychology is a strong combination for understanding why people commit crimes, and how criminal behavior differs from typical behavior. But depending on how extensively you want to study the brain especially, you may choose to add or substitute certain courses or minors.
Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:
Together, these majors give you:
Criminology
- Theories of criminal behavior
- Patterns and causes of crime
- How social, environmental, and systemic factors shape criminal actions
- Exposure to forensic topics and justice system processes
Psychology
- Human behavior and cognition
- Personality, development, mental disorders
- Research methods and statistics
- Basics of how the brain influences behavior
If you want to understand crime from both a social and behavioral perspective, this combination is perfect.
But if you're especially interested in “how criminals' brains differ,” consider brain-focused coursework.
Psychology on its own briefly addresses the brain, but not in profound scientific detail.
If you want to explore neurological or biological distinctions, then consider:
Optional additions:
- Neuroscience minor
- Biopsychology concentration
- Cognitive science minor
- Forensic psychology coursework
Helpful classes to look for:
- Brain & Behavior
- Abnormal Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroanatomy
- Forensic Psychology
- Biological Bases of Behavior
- Research Methods & Statistics
These help you understand not just why crime happens, but what’s happening in the brain.
Career Paths This Combines Well With
Depending on what level of schooling you continue to:
Bachelor’s level
- Case management
- Victim advocacy
- Probation/rehabilitation support
- Research assistant roles
Master’s level
- Forensic psychologist (with further training)
- Criminal profiler (rare, highly specialized)
- Licensed counselor specializing in offenders
Doctoral level
- Forensic neuropsychologist
- Researcher studying brain differences in offenders
- University professor in criminology or neuroscience
Bottom Line
Yes, criminology + psychology is a great and useful major mix.
But if your focus is especially the neuroscience of criminal conduct, then adding coursework or a minor in neuroscience, biopsychology, or cognitive science will make your education much more aligned with that objective.
Best wishes!