Serial Killer Analysis Essay

“The foundation for a serial killer is usually laid down in their early life experiences during childhood with harsh childhood punishment and discipline” (Dalal, Aggarwal, Bhullar, & Sharma, 2009, p. 111). According to studies made by Dalal et al (2009), individuals that grow up in homes where alcohol and drugs are abused, and the child is emotionally scarred or physically harmed are likely candidates to become a serial killer than others who come from stable, loving homes. Other experts have also agreed with this theory that a traumatic home life can produce a serial killer. One hypothesis individuals

Imagine a world where there were no serial killers and the countless lives that could be saved. We should know why these serial killers commit such heinous acts of violence. This knowledge would help to better understand serial killers and bring the mortality rate down. It has been established through research and experiments that one’s social environment and upbringing affects their criminal behavior. Coyne states, “environmental variables work together to cause problem behavior.” (34) Interpreting that these killers usually have something happen in their life, usually when they are younger, and experiencing negative effects of nurture. Some of these

When comparing individuals who become serial killers and their upbringing and trying to understand why and/or how they could do the things they do, you will find a lot of similarities that may help explain their behavior. But complicating things even more in trying to understand these individuals is the fact that they can be so different. Dr. H.H. Holmes is

A serial killer is a person defined as a series of two or more murders, committed as separate events. “They are generally cunning, manipulative, and know the difference between right and wrong but dismiss it as applying to them” (Montaldo, n.d.) We are often captivated by what they have done and not in a positive way but the intriguing part as to “why”. In reality I stop to think what was happening to this person or within their minds that caused them to behave in such a way. It’s said that these acts are due to Abnormal Psychology gratification, this is the unusual patterns of behavior, emotion and thought. After thorough research Dr. Helen Morrison believes that it is due to a chromosome abnormality. Dr. Morrison believes that serial killers begin to start expressing these tendencies in their teen

Surroundings, behaviour, childhood experiences and frequent traumas are imperative factors during the early stages of one’s life due to how it may affect them as a person. “Naturally we are all born with a different genetic make up but many argue that differences in DNA do not create a psychokiller. The main focus of many criminologists and psychologists are the origins and the surroundings of these killers childhood” (“Serial”). While growing up, potential serial murderers exposed to abuse or traumas will seek for emotional relief through acts of violence such as harming a younger sibling or animals. “Serial killers generally seek control over the life of another, and at a younger age a small animal is the only type of creature they will be able to fully dominate” (“Early”)”.

The potential of someone becoming a serial killer is hard to determine in childhood unless there are clear warning signs. Even then, some people don’t question their intentions. Some serial killers, also known as mass murderers, are

The concept of serial killing is difficult for most to grasp, but it can be easily inferred that the reality of a serial killer is different from the general population. As the notorious Ted Bundy, killer of several young females, once said, “‘I am the most cold-blooded son of a bitch you’ll ever meet. I just liked to kill, I wanted to kill’” (Labrode). This creates the question of how much a serial killer’s childhood really plays into who they are. While biologists argue that factors such as an extra chromosome, head trauma, and hormone imbalances lead to these violent actions, psychologists are researching how early life and recent media has impacted them. Others even believe that these people become aberrant from pressure to succeed, and their lack of control (Lee). In the source Looking-Glass

There are multiple theories as to why or how a person can become a serial killer. A serial killer can be a person who murders at least three or more people over a long period of time (Ramsland). Are serial killers born with the need to kill or is it a result of a horrific childhood? These two concepts are associated with the nature vs. nurture theory. “People on the side of nurture are of the opinion that our environment determines who a person is and becomes” (Salvatore). Whereas, “Theories that base their understanding of human behavior on ‘nature,’ focus on characteristics that we are born with, like our genetic make-up, stable personality traits, and physical predispositions” (Salvatore). What’s

Every day a child goes home afraid; every day a child wakes up scared; every day a child is happy to leave home; every day a child gets abused. There are more than 2.5 million reports of child abuse in the United States annually. Most children who grow up being abused physically or sexually grow up to become prostitutes, runaways, or teenage delinquents. These aspects are typically seen as monstrous in society. In this essay, the argument that child abuse creates monsters inside children in which some become released into society will be made.

In order to understand what makes a serial killer tick, one first must look into his history, particularly into his younger years. This is important because, adolescence, unique to the other stages of life, is the stage of confusion and discovery. Varied cases have shown that the majority of classified serial killers have some sort of dysfunctional upbringing. This can be the product of abuse (sexual or physical), addiction, or any other related problems. Other common characteristics of serial killers can include bed-wetting, arson, and animal cruelty due difficulties at

Crime over the years has become a very popular subject. There are countless movies, shows, books and documentaries about such events. Individuals are very entertained for one reason or another by these types of shows. There have been many discussions, debates and research studies done particularly pertaining to the question “What causes someone to become a serial killer?” Psychologists, criminologists and scientists agree that the Nature nurture debate is the most essential phenomenon in psychology. Researchers have conducted a lot of research to be able to answer the question “What causes a person to commit a murder?”. The popular and logical hypothesis is that criminal behavior is more complicated than it had been thought and they say that a person’s genetic makeup creates criminal behavior (It is called nature.) While others suggest that criminal behavior is solely related with a person’s upbringing and life experience (It is called nurture.) (Newton 2006). Both opinions of this subject are on polar opposite sides. While one side states that if0 someone has a rough childhood and are faced with severe adversity they have a greater chance of becoming a serial killer. An example would be Edmund Kemper. The opposing side states that a person is born with a certain set of genes that could turn them into a serial killer. A prime example would be Ted Bundy or Charles Manson. This is a highly diverse debate among scientists and criminologists

Serial killers are the result of a horrific mix of psychological, biological, and sociological factors. They are an enigma to society due to their deviant and unusual lifestyle but they do raise interesting questions regarding how they got this way, why they murder, and how they choose their victims. Social theories and concepts of sociology can be used to give an understanding to answer these three questions since the construction and driving force of the individual is heavily dependent on society.

As fascinating as Serial Murder is to society, the research of the patterns and behavior of serial killers gives valuable insight to the future actions and patterns of these individuals, which can be used as a skeleton for investigation into an individual. From early childhood to late adulthood, humans are constantly developing and adapting to the stimuli presented to an individual. This causes the consistently dynamic persona humans are characterized by. Nonetheless, it is compelling to assume that the heinous acts of those who murder repeatedly are inspired not by an individual’s environment, but rather by a disposition at birth. This assumption is one that is well discussed, but not well researched for the sole fact that it is a difficult topic to study empirically. Thus, the analysis of the actions of serial murderers is all but conclusive as the studies regarding this topic are colluded at best; further collusion is caused by the fact that much of the data presented is contradictory to opposing reviewed studies. This creates no conclusive verdict on the matter and urges the further research of the psychology of serial murderers.

Human beings are complicated and have complex personalities—and serial killers even more complex. Determining where these personalities come from, especially in serial killers, is a question of speculation asked by psychologists. One theory, nature, is that who people are is determined by genetics. Another theory, nurture, is that people are who they are because of environment. Both theories are in fact correct; however, the cause of personality is not solely nature or nurture, but on a case by case basis, can be both.

In an investigation of sixty two male serial killers, criminologist Eric Hicky found that forty eight percent of them had been rejected as children by a parent or some important figure in their lives. Though this happenes to many kids, it certainly represents a turning point for those who become criminals. Once a child is rejected, they can begin to dive into their fantasies and be unable to understand who they are when going through puberty. These thoughts can go from developing paraphillias, a common trait in serial killers, to the killing of small animals. Arnold Arluke, a well-known sociologist from Northeastern University, compared the criminal records of one hundred and fifty three animal abusers with the same number of non-animal abusers. He discovered that those who tortured animals were more likely to commit acts of violence such as assault, rape, and murder. What is understood is that serial killers can turn to killing animals when they are children because they feel powerless against their parents and their abuse. Since they have no control in their household, they obtain dominance and power through this kind of activities. Then again, not all children who are abused become killers. It is the combination of a dysfunctional brain and an abusive environment which can be catastrophic and produce antisocial