Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is James Fallon's area of expertise?
What is James Fallon's area of expertise?
Studying the brains of psychopaths and the biological basis for behavior.
What happened during a conversation with James Fallon's mother?
What happened during a conversation with James Fallon's mother?
She suggested he find out about his father's relatives.
Who was one of James Fallon's direct great-grandfathers?
Who was one of James Fallon's direct great-grandfathers?
Thomas Cornell.
What is Thomas Cornell known for?
What is Thomas Cornell known for?
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Who is Lizzy Borden?
Who is Lizzy Borden?
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Study Notes
James Fallon's Research
- Fascination with the criminal brain focuses on understanding the neurological differences in psychopaths.
- Neuroscientist at the University of California-Irvine with nearly 20 years of experience studying violent behavior.
- Aims to determine how a killer's brain contrasts with those of non-violent individuals.
Discovery of Family History
- Four years prior, Fallon engaged in a significant discussion with his mother, Jenny, during a family barbecue.
- Jenny suggested investigating Fallon’s paternal lineage, hinting at a history of violent behavior.
- Resulted in the revelation of a violent family background, including traits of psychopathy.
Notable Ancestry
- Fallon found a lineage that includes a history of violent individuals spanning generations.
- A direct ancestor, Thomas Cornell, was hanged in 1667 for the murder of his mother.
- The Cornell lineage reportedly produced seven individuals accused of murder, illustrating a pattern of violent behavior.
- Lizzy Borden, a distant cousin, is linked to this lineage; she faced accusations of murder but was controversially acquitted.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fascinating world of criminal brains and psychopathy with this quiz. Explore how a killer's brain differs from the average person's and discover the biological basis for their behavior. Find out if you can match wits with neuroscientist James Fallon in understanding the complexities of the criminal mind.
