Serial Killer Environment

This essay aims to examine weather serial killers are born a certain way and their genetics define their psychotic tendencies or whether they're a product of a bad environment that they grew up. This essay looks at recent killings in the late 20th century as there is more information on the killers from this period and it's easier to gain details about their childhoods. Whilst I will look at various different killers to reach more rounded conclusions (see appendix for comparison table), this essay will focus on four in detail to examine the debate; Ted Bundy (1946-89), Jeffery Dahmer (1960-1994), John Wayne Gacy (1942-1994) and Gary Ridgway (1949-present).

What causes an individual to become a serial killer? Bio-psychologists believe that starting from birth the human mind is a “tabula rasa” or blank slate, and the individual learns behaviors and socio-cultural norms from individuals around them. This concept of nature versus nurture was based upon the idea that it is how you are brought up (nurture) that governs the psychologically significant aspects of child development and the concept of maturation applies only to the biological. The theory that explains the nature aspect of the nature versus nurture principle is called the attachment theory, which views the bond between mother and child as being an innate process that ensures survival. It is a biological need that has ensured the survival of many species including the human race; because of the need to protect and be protected humans as a species has been able to endure. It is also a psychological need to want to be cared for as well as care for others a study done by Harry Harlow (1950s). The concept of nurture focuses mainly on the effect that the environment has on the development of human beings and whether it is more important than nature. Several studies have been generated to try and settle the ongoing debate of nature versus nurture.

“Serial killers are human black holes; they scare us because they mirror us,” spoke Shirley Lynn Scott, known author and psychologist. This stands true throughout history, as most serial killers blend in with society. Serial killing is formally defined by the FBI as “a series of three or more killings, having common characteristics such as to suggest the reasonable possibility that the crimes were committed by the same actor or actors.” But what exactly drives someone to kill another human being? What plays as a more drastic motivator for their actions, nature or nurture?

There are many theories as to why people become serial killers. Almost all of these concepts are associated with the Nature vs. Nurture theory. Are serial killers born with the need to kill, or is it something that they learn to long for as they grew up? Many believe that the nurture theory is the likely concept to believe; that serial killers are created from bad childhood experiences including being abused by their parents, or molested at an early age. Psychologist and sociologist have interviewed serial killers and picked apart their minds, to find out what it is that makes them feel the need to perform these heinous crimes. It is the nature theory that they are looking for when

Serial killers are the byproduct of many different things: trauma, death of loved ones, abuse, neglect, adoption, and even witnessing abuse (Are Serial). Serial killers have had to endure a massive amount of something such as trauma or abuse to an unimaginable extent to become what they are; the extent of the abuse, the trauma, the psychological damage they endure is incomprehensible to many. The destruction of one’s innocence can occur at any given time in his or her life, but he or she is more impressionable in his or her youth by the negativism of someone else’s actions (Scott, Shirley L. What Makes Serial Killers Tick ~ Childhood Event). People are susceptible to what they endure in their adolescence, and cruel upbringings, such as

Several serial killers have a definitive and common personality profile. Almost every major social, biological, psychological behavioural influence that has been seriously suggested as playing a role in causing crime has been thoroughly thought as potentially

This literature review focuses on serial killers from a psychological viewpoint while trying to answer the question, “Are serial killers born to kill or are they bred to kill?” Firstly, this review will define a serial killer and the different kinds of killers, then it will take a look at different case studies of children who fantasized about mass killing and identify similarities between the cases attempt to find a way to possibly prevent their fantasies from becoming reality. The debate of nature vs. nurture is also discussed as psychologists and researchers come to the conclusion that environmental factors play a bigger role in the developmental character of a person than genetics, but there is still no definite answer as to why some individuals grow up with the urge to murder other people and/or animals.

The question of whether or not man is predetermined at birth to lead a life of crime is a question that has been debated for decades. Are serial killers born with the lust for murder, or are their desires developed through years of abuse and torment? Many believe it is impossible for an innocent child to be born with the capability to commit a horrible act such as murder. But at the same time, how could we have corrupted society so much as to turn an innocent child into a homicidal maniac? Forensic psychologists have picked apart the minds of serial killers to find an answer as to what forces them to commit such perverse acts. Their ultimate goal is to learn how to catch a serial killer before

Born when her mother was 16 years old, Wuornos never met her father, due to his imprisonment and eventual suicide, while serving time for child molestation. Abandoned at the age of four by their mother, Wuornos and her brother took refuge, adopted by their grandparents. Sadly, her woes did not end there. To begin with, both grandparents were abusive alcoholics, Wuornos was regularly the victim of physical and sexual abuse from her grandfather. Consequently, school life became troublesome, as she soon began engaging in sexual activities as an act of survival, in exchange for food, money and cigarettes. In one instance, Wuornos was presumably raped by her grandfather's friend and became pregnant at the age of 14, having to give up the child for adoption. Following the death of her grandmother due to liver failure, Wuornos’ grandfather kicked her out the house, officially becoming homeless at the age of 15, choosing the path of prostitution for survival.(2)Subsequently, the life of crime soon

Do they have a violent predisposition with which they are born or are they influenced so much by their environment and upbringing, that they have been conditioned to feel and think differently of the ideals of morality and violence? Understanding the concept of “Nature vs. Nurture” is of utmost importance in further understanding the motivations and actions of history’s most notoriously violent and depraved serial killers. This is the concept that one of two circumstances is the driving factor behind the actions of a serial killer. Does a person’s nature, their DNA, their actual brain function, cause them to act upon their violent predisposed tendencies or is it their upbringing, parentage, and environment? One would come to the conclusion, upon researching known serial killer cases, that it is most likely a combination of both

The first expalantion that comes to mind is that many serial killers and mass murderes share the similarity of having an unstable or abusive childhood. Research has validated that people who are exposed to violent behavior or experience it in an early age are often predisposed to acting out agressively later on in life. This also enables children to have great difficulty in emphatizing or connecting with other people resulting in complicated social communication. However, not every single murderer or serial killer is brought up in a rough childhood. Some murderes might have even grew up in a stable family environment with luxuries that "typical" killers do not even have. An important question to ask is whether or not genetics play a substantial

For example, Kenneth Bianchi would be loving and kind to his wife, child, family and friends but would be vicious to those he considered unimportant to him. Early childhood development also plays a role in the development of serial killers like the Macdonald Triad. When growing up if they start fires, wet bed past the time when they shouldn’t be doing it anymore or animal cruelty, is an early development of a serial killer. For example, in the article “The Story of Jesse Pomeroy, 14-year-old serial killer,” he began to torture and kill small animals and his mother thought it was just a sign of his sadness since he got bullied a lot. He ended up growing up and became a young serial killer.

There have been a number of studies which have focused on some of the most high profile and well known cases of serial murder, such as John Wayne Gacy and Ed Gein and have reported child abuse. In a study of 50 serial killers, researchers found about 70 percent experience some maltreatment and 50 percent go through psychological abuse growing up. Many psychologist agree that a psychopath’s chemical makeup and brain development along with negative childhood experiences can be the perfect mix to create a serial killer. The notorious female serial killer, Aileen Wuornos, experienced horridus childhood abuse, but her family also shows a history of mental illness.

There are many traits that make a serial killer, with abuse during childhood playing a major factor. The four main aspects of abuse that seem to make killers are: emotional, psychological, sexual and physical abuse. The serial killer group has six times more reported physical abuse during childhood than the general population. Research has demonstrated that many serial killers have much in common when it comes to their childhood experiences Emotional abuse often diminishes a child’s self-esteem, making it hard for them to adapt to their surroundings, such as situations involving school or work. Due to this factor, most serial killers often find it hard to keep jobs and intimate relationships for longer than a very short period of time. Emotional neglect also impairs a child’s ability to develop empathy, therefore lacking compassion. If the child grows up to become a murderer, having no empathy means they are able to kill someone without

The events of the past can hold a great influence on the actions and behaviors of the future. From being raised in a supportive and loving home, to one that is full of neglect and abuse, each event can potentially impact the future of an individual. In the case of serial killers, there has been some debate on whether the evil ones are made or born; does it happen because of a genetic factor, environmental factor, or is it simply they addicted to the feeling of slaughtering another individual’s life? Although, the most important key in finding the truth deals with the past and shapes the outcome of the future. Upon viewing in a psychological stance, there is no clear understanding of why one aspect that most serial killers share, namely