Studying True Criminal Justice

COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Associate Professor Robert Schug first became interested in the scientific study of the criminal mind after watching the movie, The Silence of the Lambs. Later, Dr. Schug’s Ph.D. mentor was Dr. Adrian Raine at the University of Southern California, who was studying the brain functioning of murderers along with biological, psychological, and psychosocial factors contributing to crime, violence, and psychopathy. Working with Dr. Raine significantly influenced Dr. Schug’s thinking about research. Dr. Schug’s subsequent work as a court-appointed forensic psychologist also gave him the opportunity to apply his research experience in the criminal justice system.

Dr. Schug’s research focuses on understanding the relationship between extreme forms of psychopathology and antisocial, criminal, and violent behavior from a biopsychosocial perspective with the application of advanced neuroscience techniques from areas such as neuropsychology, psychophysiology, and brain imaging. “I am currently conducting a study involving interviews and neurocognitive assessment of incarcerated serial killers, from which I have been developing biopsychosocial developmental timeline and sequencing approaches to the study of multiple homicide offenders, along with a multilevel approach to the assessment of personalities associated with extreme and repetitive violence. I am also conducting a separate study focusing on neurocognitive, psychological, and psychosocial functioning in individuals within the criminal justice system.”

Dr. Schug considers himself extremely fortunate in that his research interests seem to naturally align with the general interests of many of the students at California State University, Long Beach. “There is a healthy fascination and curiosity about “true crime” on this campus (as there is nearly everywhere), and my knowledge and practical experience appear to sit well within the criminology and psychology majors. I hope my research helps correct the numerous inaccuracies about individuals who commit extreme and violent crimes that are often perpetuated in popular media, especially for our students who are seeking careers in (and helping to improve) the criminal justice system. On a wider scale, I also hope this research can be applied to the assessment and treatment of criminal defendants within that system, particularly those with severe forms of mental illness.”