Research Education
Psychology and Psychopathy

In this compelling discussion, authors who write about addiction, violence, and psychological instability share how their professional experiences inform their storytelling. They explore the mental and emotional realities behind alcohol, drugs, weapons, and criminal behavior, revealing how careful research and real-world insight create fiction that feels unsettlingly authentic.

What drives people to commit crimes is rarely simple. This session introduces writers to forensic psychology and the ways experts study criminal behavior, motivation, and recurring patterns. By understanding how psychologists analyze offenders and interpret behavior, writers gain tools for creating characters whose actions feel psychologically grounded rather than convenient.

Writers pull back the curtain on the most terrifying minds they’ve created. In this session, panelists discuss crafting psychos, stalkers, and serial killers, exploring how fear is built on the page, what makes a villain truly unsettling, and how to balance psychological realism with gripping suspense.

Family dynamics shape who we become in subtle but lasting ways. A practicing social worker explains how birth order influences personality, motivation, and emotional response. This session gives writers practical psychological insight into sibling relationships and how early roles can echo throughout a character’s life and choices.

Psychological profiling is about patterns, not psychic guesses. Forensic psychologist and author Rick Helms explains how profiling is actually used to understand offenders, connect behaviors, and narrow possibilities. Writers learn how profiling works in practice and how to incorporate it into stories without relying on television myths.

Investigating suicide cases requires both technical understanding and emotional sensitivity. A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent named Mike shares firsthand experience examining these cases, including the psychological factors involved and the profound impact on families and communities. This session helps writers approach the subject with realism, empathy, and respect for its complexity.

This session explores the foundations of forensic psychology, focusing on how criminal behavior develops and how psychological insights are used in investigations. Writers will gain a clearer understanding of the criminal mind and how to portray it more authentically on the page.

Psychopaths are often portrayed as monsters, but reality is far more complex. Dr. Steven Benning explores what psychopathy really is, how it differs from other personality traits, and where common portrayals go wrong. Writers gain insight into emotional processing, behavior patterns, and internal logic, making it easier to create psychopathic characters who feel chillingly real rather than exaggerated.

Psychopathy is often misunderstood and exaggerated in fiction. Professor Stephen Benning explains what psychopathy actually is, how it is identified, and why diagnosis depends on more than surface behavior. Writers gain insight into how psychopaths perceive themselves and others, allowing for portrayals that feel unsettlingly real rather than cartoonish.

How would a forensic psychologist actually function inside a crime story? Sheila Stephens explains the realistic roles these professionals play, the ethical boundaries they navigate, and the kinds of questions they raise in investigations and courtrooms. Retired forensic psychologist Richard Helms adds real world perspective from his career, showing how psychology intersects with criminal behavior, legal proceedings, and the justice system. This session helps writers portray forensic psychology with accuracy and narrative purpose.

Understanding criminal behavior requires looking beyond the crime itself. This session introduces writers to the foundations of forensic psychology, exploring how development, environment, and mental processes shape offenders over time. Writers gain a clearer picture of motivation, decision making, and psychological influence, adding depth and realism to characters across crime fiction.

Writing about sexual predators demands accuracy, restraint, and deep ethical awareness. Moderated by Christine Husom, Richard Helms and fellow panelists discuss how to portray these characters responsibly while remaining true to psychological reality. This session explores motivation, behavior, and narrative boundaries, helping writers handle disturbing subject matter with care and credibility.