Serial Killers

typically defined as: typically defined as: –An individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time (a "cooling off period") between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is largely based on psychological gratification

Often, a sexual element is involved with the killings, Often, a sexual element is involved with the killings, –but also motives for serial murder include "anger, thrill, financial gain, and attention seeking." The murders may have been attempted or completed in a similar fashion and the victims may have had something in common; The murders may have been attempted or completed in a similar fashion and the victims may have had something in common; –occupation, race, appearance, sex, or age group.

The predominant psychiatric diagnosis noted in the group tends toward the psychopathic, meaning they suffer from traits within a specific cluster of dysfunctional personality characteristics, those most commonly associated with antisocial personality disorder or dissocial personality disorder The predominant psychiatric diagnosis noted in the group tends toward the psychopathic, meaning they suffer from traits within a specific cluster of dysfunctional personality characteristics, those most commonly associated with antisocial personality disorder or dissocial personality disorder

Psychopaths lack empathy and guilt, are egocentric and impulsive, and do not conform to social, moral and legal norms. Instead, psychopaths often follow a distinct set of rules which they have created for themselves. Psychopaths lack empathy and guilt, are egocentric and impulsive, and do not conform to social, moral and legal norms. Instead, psychopaths often follow a distinct set of rules which they have created for themselves. They may appear to be normal and often quite charming…a state of adaptation that called the "mask of sanity". They may appear to be normal and often quite charming…a state of adaptation that called the "mask of sanity".

Development Many serial killers have faced similar problems in their childhood development. Many serial killers have faced similar problems in their childhood development. early childhood trauma can set the child up for deviant behavior in adulthood. early childhood trauma can set the child up for deviant behavior in adulthood. The mother normally plays the largest role in the development of a child. The mother normally plays the largest role in the development of a child.

Family, or lack thereof, is the most prominent part of a child's development because it is what the child can identify with on a regular basis Family, or lack thereof, is the most prominent part of a child's development because it is what the child can identify with on a regular basis "The serial killer is no different than any other individual who is instigated to seek approval from parents, sexual partners, or others" "The serial killer is no different than any other individual who is instigated to seek approval from parents, sexual partners, or others"

need for approval is what influences children to attempt to develop social relationships with their family and peers, but if they are rejected or neglected, they are unable to do so. This results in the lowering of their self-esteem and helps develop their fantasy world in which they are in control. need for approval is what influences children to attempt to develop social relationships with their family and peers, but if they are rejected or neglected, they are unable to do so. This results in the lowering of their self-esteem and helps develop their fantasy world in which they are in control. –clearly shows that the development of a serial killer is based on an early trauma followed by facilitators (porn, drugs, and alcohol)

"The quality of their attachments to parents and other members of the family is critical to how these children relate to and value other members of society." "The quality of their attachments to parents and other members of the family is critical to how these children relate to and value other members of society." –such as a broken home, or a lack of discipline in the home –had experienced some type of physical and sexual abuse and even more had experienced emotional neglect

Fantasy Children who do not have the power to control the mistreatment they suffer sometimes create a new reality that they can escape to. Children who do not have the power to control the mistreatment they suffer sometimes create a new reality that they can escape to. This new reality becomes their fantasy that they have total control of and becomes part of their daily existence. In this fantasy world their emotional development is guided and maintained. This new reality becomes their fantasy that they have total control of and becomes part of their daily existence. In this fantasy world their emotional development is guided and maintained.

"the child becomes sociopathic because the normal development of the concepts of right and wrong and empathy towards others is retarded because of the child's emotional and social development occurs within his self-centered fantasies. A person can do no wrong in his own world and the pain of others is of no consequence when the purpose of the fantasy world is to satisfy the needs of one person" (Garrison, 1996). "the child becomes sociopathic because the normal development of the concepts of right and wrong and empathy towards others is retarded because of the child's emotional and social development occurs within his self-centered fantasies. A person can do no wrong in his own world and the pain of others is of no consequence when the purpose of the fantasy world is to satisfy the needs of one person" (Garrison, 1996).

Boundaries between fantasy and reality are lost and fantasies turn to dominance, control, sexual conquest, and violence, eventually leading to murder. Boundaries between fantasy and reality are lost and fantasies turn to dominance, control, sexual conquest, and violence, eventually leading to murder. "allows the serial killer to leave the stream of consciousness for what is, to him, a better place." "allows the serial killer to leave the stream of consciousness for what is, to him, a better place."