College
Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences
Date of Last Revision
2025-08-05 05:42:28
Major
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Honors Course
CRJU498-501-2025_Spring
Number of Credits
3
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2025
Abstract
Criminal behavior is often shaped by a complex interaction between psychological processes, habitual actions, and neurobiological mechanisms. This research explores how habitual decision-making and reinforcement patterns contribute to criminal tendencies, integrating insights from neuroscience and psychology. The study examines how early-life experiences, cognitive biases, and environmental factors shape habitual behaviors that may predispose individuals to criminal activity. It also discusses the role of executive functioning, impulse control, and neuroplasticity in breaking maladaptive patterns. By analyzing contemporary theories of habit formation and their neurological underpinnings, this paper offers a multidimensional perspective on the development of criminal behavior. Furthermore, implications for rehabilitation and intervention strategies are explored, emphasizing evidence-based approaches that leverage neurobehavioral insights to disrupt harmful cycles. Understanding the habitual nature of crime through a neuroscientific lens provides valuable insights for policymakers, psychologists, and criminal justice professionals seeking more effective intervention and prevention strategies
Research Sponsor
Kevin Kaut
First Reader
Iris Luo
Second Reader
Noah Fritz
Honors Faculty Advisor
David Licate
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Gerace, Dru, "Breaking a Criminal Mind: Leveraging Habit Breaking/Building for Crime Reduction" (2025). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2058.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2058