Dr. Michael Koenigs is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Neuroscience & Public Policy Program. He spoke with Dr. Rhonda Freeman about the neurological underpinnings of psychopathy, including some of his own research into brain areas that are abnormal in psychopathic offenders. In this conversation, Dr. Koenigs provides an overview of some of his studies of psychopathy, including studies of moral judgment, economic decision-making, and empathy. Some of this research examines behavior; other studies investigate eye-tracking and brain function. Dr. Koenigs also addresses links between brain function and antisocial behavior as well as how information about psychopathy and brain function impacts the sentencing decisions of judges. This research suggests promising new ways of understanding the mechanisms underlying psychopathy.
