The Influence of Psychopathy in Serial Killers Behavior - Research Paper Example

What Are Serial Killers? How do They Turn into Psychopaths, and How Does Psychopathy Contribute to Their Behaviors? Task Abstract Serial killing is among the most widespread type of multiple murders, and it is typified by the murdering of three or more individuals within a period. Studies have revealed that there has been an increase of serial murders in the past decades. The aim of this study is to enhance our cooperative understanding of the vigorous serial killing by analyzing how these people turn into psychopaths, what they share in common, and the way psychopath contribute to their manner of behaving. The study objectives were to evaluate the serial murder history, compare the trends with the current one, and identify and compare the basic characteristics of the serial killers. A number of the information talked about based on this study is equated with wider epidemiological researches. Chapter One Introduction Method of Operation (MO) is the title given to the certain tools and strategies that differentiate the murders work. The MO includes things such as the place of the crimes, the equipments used, moment in time, the alibi, and helpers involved. The MO may change at some period as the killer turns to be experienced. The law enforcers will be mostly interested in any information that is distinctive to that killer, such as leaving some tips behind. The study of the prey can be essential in tracking down a serial killer and the process is called victimology. The law enforcers ought to identify about that specific individual that interested the killer. Killers may choose the victim randomly or may have stocked him earlier. The serial killer could have been looking for the only individual who qualifies his desire and, if a general link can be established connecting the victims, this can be very informative. For example, Ted Bundy candidates had dark hair at the back of their head. Serial killers use various methods of killing their preys such as shooting, poisoning, suffocating, slaughtering, strangling, stabbing and electrifying. Shooting is the common method used by most of the serial killers. They arm themselves with guns and positioning themselves at a strategic point where they aim their victims. The method is popular because accessing the weapons has been an easy process. Killing the victims using a gun takes the shortest time compared to other methods; therefore, serial killers can kill many people within a short span. Poisoning is another popular method used by the killers to kill their victims and is especially used by the female serial killers. It is also an easy process, since it does involve in struggling or use of force. The victims are engaged in a relationship with the serial killer, to make the process easy. Suffocating is used by serial killers who enjoy watching victims struggling for their lives. They use things like blanket, polythene bags, and pillows to kill their victims by covering their nose and mouth, which they use to breathe. There are some serial killers who enjoy watching blood thus they use stabbing as a method of killing. These killers may have experienced a moment of torture during childhood that is why they prefer stabbing because they feel satisfied as their victims are suffering (Vaknin, 2005). Killers who use stabbing are feared because they ensure they inflict pain to the victims. Other killers use strangling to kill their victims because they enjoy a moment of force with the victims. They usually enjoy listening to voices produced a person who is strangled. These serial killers mostly want to hear their victims beg for their life because it makes them enjoy. Electrification is also used by some killers, but it is rarely used. These killers mostly electrify the victims in their homes at a bathtub without leaving any evidence behind. The killers start with a low voltage and continue increasing the voltage until the victim dies. Some of them even eat the body organs they rip. Serial killing also encompasses sexual homicide (Raine & Sanmartín, 2001). These individuals exist in various types. One of them is the ‘Visionary serial killers’, who hears sounds that command them to put human beings to death, and they are normally violent. The next category is the ‘Missionary serial killers’, who feels like they have a duty or a particular assignment to clear the world a specific populace’s group (Waller et al, 2010). The third category is the ‘Lust killers’, who kills because of a sexual impulse. Another type is the ‘Thrill killers’, who murders since they get pleasure from the experience of taking lives. The fifth category is that of the ‘Power seeker killers’. These individuals take pleasure in holding full control over their victim’s destiny. Lastly, there is the ‘Gain serial killers’, who murders in order to get money or objects that they consider being valuable (Leung, 2005). These killers are also likely to be psychopaths or having unsociable individuality disorder because of their heartless and immoral nature of their behavior (Kocsis, 2008). Statement of the Problem There are many problems revolving around the issue of serial killers because there is no specific way of reducing these killers. Most of them are on the streets and they act normally at first appearance; thus, it is difficult to identify them. Research has shown that in every ten people, two of them are serial killers with some recruiting innocent children. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to intensify the understanding of the energetic serial murderers by evaluating basic characteristics, and what led them to be psychopaths. The study will provide an evaluation and critical examination of the literature along with research concerning the known behavior models of the serial killers; also, share the results with experts who deal with forensic psychology. By carrying out this research, I hope to enhance the scientists’ knowledge about the serial killers. Objectives of the Study 1. To scrutinize studies concerning the history of serial killers 2. To appraise studies regarding to the assessment of the mind of criminal of serial killings 3. To look at the different murder types 4. To compare the historical trends of serial homicide to the present tendency 5. To distinguish patterns in the behavioral traits of serial killers to help in the future studies concerning this issue. Limitations and Assumptions of the study However, evaluation of studies alone cannot result to proper knowledge of the serial killing. Still, it is an essential way of gaining knowledge about the serial murderers. However, evaluation has some limitations such as reliance of the information, which is found on studies by different individuals, consistency of information found on the researches and quantity of time necessary to collect as well as study the data. However, it is assumed that a full proficiency and knowledge of the serial killing occurrences can be acquired through methodical and intensive study of experiential statistics derived from study of large populace of the serial killers by great researchers. Definition of Important terms A. Types of Murders 1. Serial murder, which is described as an incident where an individual murders two or more preys in events that are not related geographically (What is serial murder? 2009). 2. Mass murders, which are the murder of three or even more persons at one time and at the same location (Bernstein & Cassel, 2007). 3. Spree murder, which is the killing of several persons in sequence in one or more sites without a period of ‘cooling off’ between the events (Bernstein & Cassel, 2007). B. Psychopaths, which are individuals who have antisocial individuality disorder, and are distinguished by lack of emotions, are pitiless, lack of feelings towards other persons, impulsive actions without thinking, and lack inspiration (Castle & Hensley, 2002). C. Psychopathy is a disorder that has various components varying from “emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral spectrum” (Blair et al, 2009). Psychopathy or else psychopathic personality can also be termed as a collection of comparatively distinctive character traits such as grandiosity, heartlessness and compulsive dishonest (Edens et al, 2006). D. Criminal Profiling; a process by which researchers study characteristics of an identified crime and work towards determining the characteristics of the individual who committed the crime (Bernstein & Cassel, 2007). Organization of the Remaining Of the Project The literatures concerning serial killers and psychopathy will be reviewed in the next chapter. Then, case studies will be evaluated, which will illustrate the psychopath serial killers and their peculiar characteristics. After that, data will be compiled, analyzed and the results assessed. Chapter 3 Method Participants This study will consist of seven compliant men. The men are most popular serial killers from different parts. The specialties were from all settings, and participants of both higher and lower education levels. These variety of subjects was to enable us make better comparison of the basic characteristics of the serial killers. These specialties were registered through medical professionals, and comprised of imprisoned persons or those in a mental health facility. Working with these individuals may be difficult, or even violent, hence, more caution as well as heed must be put into consideration. Instruments The rate of serial killing is very high globally and the televisions channels are reporting of serial killing daily. The law-enforcing department is unable to solve the pending cases of serial killing, thus proper attention should be given to this matter. The instruments used were filed cases from police departments and reports from the media. Procedure The main procedure was interviews from senior police departments and reading of documented materials from the media. The public was also interviewed on whether they felt the serial killing issue was handled properly or if it was becoming serious. Historical Analysis of Seven Serial Killers John Wayne Gacy The first serial killer is John Wayne Gacy, who sexually assaulted and murdered 32 young men between 1976 and1978. He got an accident when he was a child, which resulted to blood clot in his brain. In addition, he was later diagnosed with a heart disease. His father was an alcoholic, abused his mother physically, and whipped them using a leather belt. Though his father was unfriendly, he truly loved his him and desperately sought to gain the attention and loyalty of his father (John Wayne Gacy-Serial Killer Clown, 2011). He got many promotions for his hard work and managed to live a satisfied life. Unfortunately, he associated himself with prostitution, pornography and drugs. He molested his youthful male workers who worked for him, and found guilty of killing thirty-two men. Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome He was suffering from depression from the mistreatment he received from his drunken father. Development disorder and Personal disorder No developmental and personal disorder Physical condition He had a problem with brain since he suffered from internal bleeding after involving in an accident. Severity of Psychosocial Stressors Gacy’s father died and denied permission to attend his burial, a factor that stressed him. He also moved from one job to another after getting many transfers and promotion. The Green River Killer “The Green River Killer”, who is a middle-aged white man, was the most productive and mysterious murderer in records. His parents used to quarrel and one day he managed to witness the scenario. His early life was full of stress since he used to wet his beddings and his mother could embarrass him in front of the whole family. At school, he was slow leaner and this forced him to repeat some classes. At age 16, he stabbed a fellow schoolmate because he used to mock him. He had killed 48 persons between 1982 and the year 1984 in the Seattle-Tacoma region. At the time of his two years run riot, he liked leaving his victims close to the banks of the “Green River” outside Seattle, hence, the explanation of his nickname. The victims of the killer have been women, mostly prostitutes. However, he will murder a traveler in a pinch. To him, killing his victims was a career (Green River Killer - Serial Killer, 2011). Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome Green River Killer was suffering from severe depression and emotional instability Development disorder and Personal disorder In development disorder, he had low IQ thus suffering from mild mental retardation. This is evident through his poor grades and repeating in classes. In personality disorder, he was antisocial. Physical condition He had a low IQ and could not understand basics concepts both at school and at home. Severity of Psychosocial Stressors He was embarrassed in front of his family members when he wetted his bed by his mother. His parents used to argue at many occasion at his presence. Richard Ramirez Richard Ramirez is also another serial killer, and began his career in June 1984. He had a cousin who was a military man, who participated in USA and Vietnam War. His cousin influenced him into the habit of killing after being shown victims pictures. Ramirez witnessed his cousin killing his wife and her of the blood sprinkled on his face. Ramirez began his killing spree when he broke into a house then sexually assaulted and murdered a woman, 79 years of age, in Los Angeles. He also, kidnapped two young girls in the year 1985, in separate events, and dumped them in the nearby areas. Then in March that year, a girl named Dayle was killed and her roommate seriously wounded. After that, he dragged a woman from her vehicle and then shot her numerous times. He seemed so amazed with his attacks that he kidnapped another girl after 2 days, raped her several times before letting her go. In addition, Richard beat a 64-year old man to death, and then stabbed his wife. He continued committing similar offenses until the time when he was caught by the police (Richard Ramirez - Night Stalker, 2011). Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome He was suffering from social influence. Developmental Disorders and Personality Disorders No development and personal disorders. Physical condition No physical condition Severity of Psychosocial Stressors Interacting with his cousin changed his life and made have the urge of killing. Ed Gein The next serial murderer is Ed Gein, who was recognized for his grave stealing, “necrophilia, sadism, cannibalism, and death fetishism”. He lived with his incompetent brother, and dictatorial mother who taught him that sex is a sinful act, since his childhood. His father had died earlier after being sick for a while. When his mother died in 1945, Ed was a bachelor of 39 years, still enslaved to his mother who had dictated his life (Ed Gein Bio - Serial Killer, 2011). Gein used the flesh of his victims in sewing up lampshades, as well as his couch. He inspired movies like “Psycho”, “The Texas”, and many more, Gein had lived a lonely and oppressive life in his family residence. Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome He suffered depression after losing all his family members. Developmental Disorders and Personality Disorders No development and personal disorders. Physical condition No physical condition Severity of Psychosocial Stressors Gein’s parents lived a miserable marriage, though they could not divorce because of their strong believe in the religion. All of his family members died; therefore was forced to live alone in the family farm. Highest Level of Functioning Jeffrey Dahmer Fifthly, there is Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer recognized for homosexuality, ate the male victims and stored up their body organs. He was antisocial even to his own parents except for his grandmother. (Strubel, 2007). Dahmer himself was quoted saying: ‘The subtleties of social life were beyond my grasp. When children liked me, I did not know why. Nor could I formulate a plan for winning their affection. I simply didnt know how things worked with other people…. And try as I might I couldnt make other people seem less strange and unknowable’ (Strubel, 2007). Jeffrey stabbed; throttled or battered his victims and either eat or have sexual intercourse with the corpses, while he stored some body parts for fun or future consumption. Dahmer was born by parents who were fundamentalist Christians, and it is thought that his repressed homosexuality might have led to his homosexuals’ detestation. He murdered seventeen males between 1978 and the year 1991. Majority of these victims were youthful, bisexual or homosexual men who were blacks, whom he subjected to sexual abuse before killing them. Jeffrey used to take photos of every stage of the death of his victims, plus the clear sexual acts he did to his victims at every stage. Dahmer himself gave an explanation that he was trying to eliminate free will out of his victims in order to make “automation”, biddable to his wishes as well as his sexual wants (Jeffery Dahmer - Serial Killers, 2011). According to Dahmer’s father, he showed he was very inexpressive and antisocial when he was young. He was seen to like drinking in the bars alone without the company of his friends in his youthful life. He had a history of alcohol and substance abuse. Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome He was suffering from depression Developmental Disorders and Personality Disorders Personality disorder; he was antisocial and did not interact well with his parents. Physical condition No physical condition Severity of Psychosocial Stressors Events such as transferring school, and family breakup affected his life to behave strangely. Alcoholism was the main cause that made him commit such crimes and chased away from all the places he settled. Ted Bundy Ted Bundy is also another serial murderer who was put to death in Florida after several killings of young females in Utah, Florida, Washington and Colorado. He was a polite smooth spoken person who looked like he was friendly to the majority of the women, hence, easily enticed them in using his charms. He was illegitimately born, and this fact was hidden by his grandparents by lying to him that his sister was his mother. In his childhood, he tortured animals, took part in voyeurism and was fanatical to knives. Evidence implies that Bundy had started by murdering a schoolmate, 9 years of age, who disappeared when the serial killer was 12 years. He was heartless but very intelligent, and managed to run away from his captors twice. Bundy also helped in investigating the case of the Green River Killer (Introduction, 2009).The rapists, as well as serial murderer went on committing his crimes and killed 36 or more people before he was executed (Ted Bundy - Serial Killer and Rapist, 2011). Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome He was depressed after finding out the truth about his identity. Developmental Disorders and Personality Disorders No development and personality disorder. Physical condition No physical disorder Severity of Psychosocial Stressors Ted found out that his mother was his father’s daughter, which depressed him. Gilles de Rais Gilles de Rais was born 1404 in France and was a French military man who is believed to be the pioneer of the current serial killers. The mechanism he used to kill his victims was through severe torturing and raping. The victims targeted were children, mostly boys and even adults when it was necessary. He lured specific boys that had blue eyes and blond hair and later tortured and killed them. The total number of people that he is believed to have killed is about 80 to 200 while others suspect to reach 600. The exact number of people is not exactly known because the bodies were burned or buried after the act. Gilles de Rais servant used to lure children and stabbing them using a knife. They would then let their master bath with blood of the victims as he enjoyed their agony. The children’s bodies were burned completely, hence, filling the room with bad odor, which they enjoyed. Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome He suffered from depression after losing both of his parents. Developmental Disorders and Personality Disorders No developmental and personality disorder. Physical condition No physical condition Severity of Psychosocial Stressors Death of his both parents affected him negatively. The Monster of Andes Pedro Alonso Lopez who was born in Peru and was nicknamed the monster of Andes because of the great number of people he killed during his spree of murder. He is allegedly suspected to have killed more than 300 individuals. Pedro was the seventh child in a family of 13 children. His mother kicked him out of his house after finding him touching her sister’s breasts. He went to the streets where he was sodomised by a strange man who intended to assist him. An American family decided to take him to orphanage school after witnessing his plight but unfortunately, one of his teachers sexually abused him. He went back to the streets and committed crimes, which caused him to be jailed. Four-prison mates’ gang raped him, which affected him mentally. After being released from the prison, he decided to revenge and aimed at killing women in each town he went. Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome He suffered from emotional trauma after series of sexual abuse by people he socialized. Developmental Disorders and Personality Disorders No developmental and personality disorders Physical condition No physical condition Severity of Psychosocial Stressors He faced a harsh social life since he lived in the streets and correctional institution. His mother, a prostitute, was the breadwinner. Edmund Kemper Lastly, there is Edmund Kemper, whose story is among the shocking serial murders. Kemper was ill with paranoid schizophrenia and killed his mother as the climax of a series of deadly and severe attacks. He frequently pretended to be a police officer and chose young and naive women searching for a ride. His first killings were those of his grandparents when he was 15 years old. He then killed students, who were young female, married couples, his friend and then his mother. Edmund committed the murders since this made him feel he could own the victims also, connect to them. Mostly he killed girls who were students in colleges where both men and women schooled together (co-ed). Kemper had a mental disease, was unstable psychologically, had early sorrows, and unsteady emotional pressure. He was considered to be at nearly a genius IQ. Kemper was very antisocial and did menial works. He was born in California in year 1948, a period when there were no drugs or familiarity to medical to enable him deal with his disorder. He wanted to get rid of the emotional abuse he underwent for many years, therefore after killing his mother and other victims, his mission was over and called on the police to arrest him. His childhood moments were full of dissatisfaction caused by isolation and fear. His mother was domineering and his sisters treated him as a plaything when he was a child. This led to his strong hatred towards women; hence, he attacked women in general. Kemper had also executed a family cat and cut off its head. Through his fake identity as a police officer, he was able to get a gun in his own name and used it to kill eight women. He hated his mother, and beheaded her using a claw hammer, then did a sexual act upon the corpse’s head. He had killed ten people between 1964 and the year 1973 (Edmund Kemper: Serial Killers, 2011). Diagnostic Statistical Manner (DSM IV) criteria Clinical syndrome He was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia disease since his childhood life. Developmental Disorders and Personality Disorders Personality disorder; he grew up with emotional disorder since the disease affected his relationship with the people he loved. Physical condition He had a disease called paranoid schizophrenia, which resumed mental illness. Severity of Psychosocial Stressors He was antisocial and had a bad relationship with his mother. He hated her and wished to kill her one day. Procedure All the participants were evaluated separately; and the interviews were done at random, and the same questions were arbitrarily asked to each participant. This was to make sure that there was consistency in the study. The participants were requested to be honest when giving their responses. They were also notified of their rights as study participants and asked to sign a consent report. It was essential for partakers not to communicate with each other to avoid discussion of the experiment details. Therefore, every participant was assigned his or her own appointment schedule. Data Collection The data of the research was collected by use biographical case study assessment of serial killers along with their victims. This is because in the twenty first century period of this research and wide-ranging restricted accessibility of many criminals. The writer interviewed various serial killers and did a close demonstration test of all cases concerning the deaths. The cases were recognized by use of several ways taking in journals, interrogations, reporters and bibliographies. Data Analysis The information represents an estimated number of 150 victims. These offenders, who are seven serial killers, represent almost more than 200 cases, and are accountable for a range of 150 to 200 homicides. This range of victims is detailed since some of the murderers killed scores of people that only close estimation of the actual figure can be determined. The literature evaluated the criminal mind of the serial murderer by dealing with three different techniques to take in biological, sociological as well as psychological. The writers seemed to agree on the content within each technique for nearly all parts, but there were some differences. The first part to be evaluated is the serial killer criminal mind’s natural aspect. The data is analyzed and theories of the concerning the genesis of serial murderers outlined. Causes of violence were also highlighted, also, the disorders that could lead to the killers violence. Chapter Four Based on the research carried out by evaluating seven male serial killers, it is obvious that these individuals are driven into their actions by so many aspects. The study shows that most of the serial killers have some common characteristics, and there are features that make it to do violent acts. Results The outcomes of the study show that there are so many characteristics of a serial killer. These are such as intelligent, aggressive, and brutal, as well as antisocial. From the assessment of the seven serial killers, it is obvious that these individuals have some features in common. The serial killers’ intelligence range from been average to high. Majority of them contain a history physical as well as sexual mistreatment during their childhood. In almost a half of the serial killers family, either their mother or the father was domineering as well as abusive. Offending acts like stealing, pyromania, and cruelty towards animals were seen in most of the serial killers childhoods’. Most of the serial murderers have revealed to kill their victims after sexual assaulting them. Only a few kill out of their own motives or command from voices. Majority of the killers showed that their violent actions were due to mistreatment in their childhood or mental disorders. The most common future about these individual is that they must abuse their victims, either sexually or physically before killing them. Chapter 5 Discussion It is difficult to know the precise percentage of serial murder that take place in each year. Results can only be based on estimation. However, no matter the percentage, it has been viewed that serial killings amount to only a small percentage of the total murders in a year. Psychopathy has come out as among the most crucial medical construct in the psychological health as well as criminal justice departments. Even though not all psychopaths may be able to meet with the ‘criminal justice system’, the behaviors linked to this individuality disorder put psychopaths in danger of committing offenses and acting out fiercely (Herve et al, 2007). The most outstanding features about psychopaths are that they seem to be relaxed on their own. They can be eloquent and often, they are seen to be extremely intelligent. These features assist the psychopath serial killers to lure their victims and carry out their violent actions without being caught easily. The theories used to study these individuals have shown that some social factors usually influence these individuals into at their childhood or youthful life. These factors as revealed are such as emotional maltreatment, feelings of rejection. This makes them to begin to flee into fancies which according to them, will allow them conquer their aggravation (Raine & Sanmartín, 2001). Recommendations Serial killing has become a problem that is terrorizing individuals as well as the whole world’s safety. The rise of this problem has been raising an alarm all over. Researchers should make sure they do proper study of these individuals to gain quality understanding of the problem. Psychologists as well as medical doctors should come up and help these individuals especially those suffering from mental disorders in order to reduce the rate of serial killing. I recommend that criminal profiling as well as law enforcing resources should be advanced to make qualitative studies about these individuals. Future Research In future, better techniques of researching should be put into practice, since interviews and studies alone cannot provide adequate and reliable information for the study. Now, there is no accuracy in the statistics collected about serial killers. Therefore, there is need to invent approaches that will enhance accuracy in determining serial offenses instead of working through approximations. Clinicians should get into making intensive research and examining serial killers to enable people understand the real cause of the killer’s action. This will help distinguish the serial killers who act because of social problems from those that act because of psychopathic conditions. From this point of view, specialists, together with the criminal justice system, can be in a better position to know how to deal with these individuals. The rates of serial murders are rising and if proper measures are not taken, this problem may become too difficult too difficult to deal with in future. References Allhoff , F., & Doris, J., &Waller, S.(2010). Serial Killers - Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing. New York: Blackwell Publishing Limited. Bernstein, D., & Cassel, E. (2007). Criminal Behavior, 2nd Edition. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Publishers. Blair, J., & Blair, K., & Mitchell, D. (2009). The Psychopath Emotion and the Brain. Retrieved on November 5, 2011 from: Castle, T., & Hensley, C. (2002). Serial Killers with Military Experience: Applying Learning Theory to Serial Murder. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. Vol. 46(4). Pp. 453-465. Edens, J., & Lilienfeld, S., & Marcus, D., & Poythress, N. (2006). Psychopathic, Not Psychopath: Taxometric Evidence for the Dimensional Structure of Psychopathy. 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