Serial Killers: Born Monsters or Society Created Murderers - Research Paper Example

Serial Killers: Born Monsters or Society Created Murderers Introduction In the developing world it is seen that many weird incidents have been occurring and gaining media attention. The issue of serial killers has been said to be quite old but it has come to the media attention only in the last century. Serial killers are the ones who murder at least two victims in different localities and have the propensity to murder again. As Katherine describes serial killers in these words “A serial killer murders at least two people in separate incidents, with the mental disposition or propensity to kill again. There is a psychological rest period between incidents, which could be considered a time for predatory preparation. He, she, or they also choose to modus operandi and may either move around or lure successive victims to a single locale. They view victims as objects needed for satisfaction of their goals, and manifest an addictive quality to their behavior, such that choosing murder is a satisfying act (Ramsland 2005). Serial killers are believed to be either born in the society genetically or are believed to be created into these killers by the society. Both the views are shared by many experts who give their opinions and present several researches. Serial Killers: Born Monsters or Society Created Murderers Serial killings are no more specific to one region of this world but have extended their roots all over the world. Ann Rule an expert of serial murders stated that around 5000 people in United States alone are targets of these serial killers in a year (Holmes and DeBurger 2001). Previously it was believed that the serial killers shared a common image in the society. As put by an Italian criminologist that "murderers as a group [are] biologically degenerate [with] bloodshot eyes, aquiline noses, curly black hair, strong jaws, big ears, thin lips, and menacing grins" (Lunde 1976). This clearly shows that previously individuals had a biased view about individuals who could be serial killers. But nowadays with the help of several researches it is found that every man can be a serial killer including the one in our neighbor who seems to be a reputable businessman. Now the question arises as to why would one become a society killer. Many suggest that this is happening because of the problems in the society alone and this can count for most of the serial killers living in the society. The proponents of such a view believe that increased violence in the world today is causing individuals to be a part of this murderous society. A research carried out in 1970s showed that one out of four men believed that hitting his wife would be appropriate in some specific conditions (Holmes and DeBurger 2001). This clearly shows how violence is prevailing in the world and how people are getting adapted to it. Media is believed to be a significant factor in playing the role of converting normal individuals into societal murderers. Media is shown to be playing a great role in impacting the behavior of children in life. Violent acts are often seen on media and these are misinterpreted by children. An experiment by Bandura clearly shows that the behavior of children can be greatly affected by exposure to violence. Media is providing a medium of violence to the children through which these children tend to adopt actions which are otherwise rejected in the society. It is believed by the proponents of such a view that after a child has committed aggressive acts by viewing television he is often punished for these acts and this is where the child often tries to break away to acts which are horrible. The proponents state that societal behaviors are primarily concerned with the evolution of these serial killers (Miller et al 2009). Family atmosphere is one of the most significant factors which is thought to influence the minds of serial killers. Psychological abuses are thought to be significant in the influences too. Many killers have stated that they never had a good relationship with male figures in their life and also underwent physical abuse during their childhood (Ressler et al 1988). Family role would further be discussed in the subsequent paragraphs where an example of a serial killer would also be cited to further prove the point of the proponents. Similarly in some conditions it is seen that the children does not want his family around and because of this he behaves differently with the family. If the family then let go off the child then it is probable that he’d choose a different path of murder. Similarly it is also believed that serial killers are shaped up by the society also. In a report by Kevin Haggerty he blames society for unusual behaviors of the serial killers and associates every murder of the killer to the society’s doings. He gives an example of Robert Pickton who chose his victims from the number of prostitutes living in Vancouver. Haggerty cites that these prostitutes would never have been killed if they were the center of the attention of the society and not neglected. The society made them prone to the killers eyes and the killer was tempted to kill them. If these chances are not given to the serial killers it would be impossible for the serial killers to attempt a murder. Haggerty further provides examples of history in which media gave utmost significance to serial killers and made them a popular figure. Haggerty puts it in these words “The symbiotic relationship between serial killers and the media, where serial killers provide stories and the media provide killers the notoriety many crave, is a distinctly modern phenomenon”. Media is playing a great role to influence the killers as put by Haggerty and many serial killings could be avoided if the exploitation of murders by the media was decreased (Josh Clark 2009; Haggerty 2009). Family neglect has been thoroughly studied by researches and the effect of family neglect on children is also of grave importance. Gary Gilmore who was a serial killer was executed in 1977 in Utah after he was found. He had a brother named Mikal who is completely normal and did not show any characteristics of his brother which made him a serial killer. Mikal did a thorough research on his family history and found out that his father was a criminal himself and did not care much about his children. Frank was the father of Mikal and Gary and he used to inflict pain on his children. Frank used to beat Gary with his belt and brutalized him to limits which he could not bear. While Frank beated Gary his mother also did not take his side and save him. The effects of beatings in Gary’s life could be felt in his school life where he became quite disobedient. He started hanging out with notorious members of the society and started bullying other students of the school. Soon he was found to be involved in petty crimes of burglary and car theft after which he was caught. It was after his parole one night that he killed two individuals in 1976 and was caught. The effect of bad parenting could clearly be seen in his last words where he said “There will always be a father”. Gary was a victim of family neglect and seclusion as believed by the researchers. His situation could have been avoided if he was given a proper family environment like everyone else. Another case of a serial killer is also put down by proponents who is known as Dennis Nilsen. He killed fifteen men who were already drunk and put them in closets or floor boards until they were disposed of by him. His parents were divorced at a very early age and he did get attention from his father. He used to live with his grandparents and mother. Because his mother was burdened with work and family responsibilities she could not give much attention to Dennis and it is because of this that Dennis started having virulent thoughts. He did not have many relationships in life and this also which contributed to his murderous nature. Hence the proponents here conclude that societal behaviors are very important in determining the stages of serial killers (Hamsland 1999). It is these societal behaviors which can form a serial killer. Family and atmosphere are considered to be the most important tools in shaping up the personality of one individual. The proponents lay down the fact that childhood events are very important in shaping up the personality of an individual. Children who suffer from abuse at a tender age generally show aggressive and anti-social behaviors in the future (Newton 2001). The proponents put forward that some adults have the capacity to overcome the abuse at a tender age whereas some do not have the capacity to overcome it. Albert Desalvo of Boston had a very troubled childhood as his mother was sold as a slave by his father. He was reported to rape women and was jailed for it. It was later found out that he raped a total of 13 women and was the renowned “Boston Strangler” (Klein 1992). Ted Bundy was another famous serial killer who had a troubled family environment. Ted Bundy was born to an unwed mother and because of this reason she had to act as the sister of Ted. He found out the truth later in his life and felt as if he was betrayed by his family. His love of life was also taken away from him and it is believed that this acted as a significant point in his life which led him to a killing spree. All of his preys were women who resembled his love of life. The proponents clearly cite his childhood to be an important event in his life which changed his views about life and led him to the killing spree (Klein 1992; White & Habibis 2005; Hickey 2006). Individuals who are exposed to bullying and other shows of aggressiveness by the peers are also known to become serial killers. Many of the individuals in real life who undergo bullying and other forms of aggression tend to become disturbed. Physical abuse is also a societal factor which needs to be considered when highlighting the serial killers. It has been found that some of the serial killers were physically abused in their childhood and this can be a factor which led them to kill in the future. It is believed by the proponents of this view that serial killings in the society can be decreased with the help of the government and society itself. Programs should be introduced in the society which makes the individuals of the society aware about the perils of these serial killers. Parenting abilities should be taught to individuals and if someone is not willing to take that responsibility then the government should intervene and take the responsibility. The problem of serial killings can only be finished if it is removed from the grass roots. The proponents propose that strict measures should be taken when it comes to schools and even the schools should be informed of the perils of bullying and other aggressive behaviors of student. The grass root problems of the society should be targeted in decreasing or completely removing the problem of the serial killers. It is seen that the problem has become an epidemic and it can only be solved if the whole society works as a group. Physical abuse and parenting abilities are the most significant factors which should be considered by the government and the society as proposed by the proponents of this belief (Hickey 2006; Klein 1992; Ramsley 1999). The proponents with the belief that society and childhood has a strong link with individuals being turned into murderers give out strong points but on the other hand the opponents of this view also have something interesting to share. Nowadays it is seen that researchers are finding out new methods to find out the inconsistency in the brain of these serial killers. This topic has led to a broad research in the scientific world which proves that somehow the brain activity of these serial killers is linked to their activities. In other words these individuals believe that serial killers are born monsters in this world that cannot be stopped (Richard 2001; Roxanne 2004). Serial killers are thought to be mentally disturbed by many scientists. Researchers have linked biology to the behavior of serial killers. They have found that brain has a part which is associated with the personality of an individual. Amygdala is a part of the brain which is concerned with the behavior of an individual. Previously a surgery known as lobotomy was performed in this part so that the behavior of individuals could be controlled through it. This clearly shows that somehow this structure in the brain can be related to the actions of serial killers. Temporal epilepsy can cause a variety of anti-social behaviors which can lead to aggressiveness by the subject and it is believed by many scientists that some of the serial killers are facing from this problem (Taylor 1984). Some of the proponents of born monster theory put forward the points of biology when comparing the minds of serial killers with normal individuals. Brain consists of different lobes and one of the most important lobe is known as the frontal lobe. It was noted in criminals that frontal lobe was normally damaged. This damage can be caused by any cause of trauma that happened in life. Frontal lobe plays a major role in self-control, judgment and realization. This is one case of biology presented by the proponents whereas some also put forward researches which are related to gene-related activities in the body (Seguin 2009). A gene known as Mono-amine oxidase A (MAOA) is known to play a significant role in the violent behaviors of individuals. It is researched that individuals who have less expression of MAOA show more tendencies towards violent activities. This can be related to the minds of serial killers and a mutation in this kind of gene can probably be found in them (Connor 2002). The proponents also put forward researches which have specifically found out a brain area which is associated with the moral aspects of an individual (Wallis 1994). Research has shown that serial killers face problems when judging and understanding emotional material. It is believed that because of such an approach these serial killers do not feel pity for their victims. It has been found through new electrical devices such as Computerized Tomography and Electroencephalography that criminals once in their life have had some damage to their brain. And this damage can lead to aggressive and violent activities in their life. Examples of serial killers who had a form of brain problem were John Gracy and Arthur Shawcross. Gracy had the problem of psychomotor epilepsy while he was a child and this may have led him to become a serial killer. Secondly Arthur suffered from psychiatric disorders while he was a child and this damaged his temporal lobe whose importance has been cited above. This may have led him to become a notorious killer in the future. Further it was found that criminals and serial killers had an associated brain problem whenever an EEG was done (Seguin 2009; Richard 2001). Limbic system is also an important component of the brain which has been highlighted above with amygdale. Limbic system is associated with emotions, fear and anger. Many of the serial killers who have been caught or killed have thought to be facing problems with their limbic system (Gellene 2007). Nowadays researches are being made on the topic of chemical messengers in the body which are found in serial killers. Many scientists affirm that some of the chemical messengers are abnormal in the bodies of serial killers which make them more susceptible to crimes. It is these chemical messengers which differentiate the normal individuals from the serial killers. The proponents of born serial killers believe that children at a tender age could be analyzed for specific hormones or chemical messengers in their body. These children can then be given specific rehearsals or interventions by parents or authorities to avoid such a fate. It has been found that many of the serial killers don’t even know as to what they are up to and this clearly means that these serial killers are facing from some abnormality. The proponents propose new researches to affirm the aspects of biology and serial killers so that the number of murders in the society can be decreased (Richard 2001). Conclusion The question now arises as to if the serial killers are naturally born in this society or are they made from the societal norms. In my view serial killers are the product of the amalgamation of both these factors. Scientific studies are showing some variance in the chemical messengers of the bodies of serial killers whereas researchers have shown that parenting abilities, aggressive behavior and killing are all linked together. Thus one cannot conclude that one of these is causing an individual to become a serial killer. There are cases in which individuals are not provided with proper parenting but they still live up to become successful businessmen. Moreover orphans who have not been taken care by parents also live up to become successful. Such cases clearly deny the point of the societal norms which create serial killers. In my view chemical changes in the brain and the societal norms together are causing an individual to adopt unusual behaviors such as killing (Richard 2001; Miller et al 2009; Ramsland 1999; Taylor 1994). A solution to this problem is the realization of both the government and the society. If both these entities realize their duties towards the society then the number of serial killings can be decreased. Programs should be encouraged which actually tell parents how to take care of their children and schools should also be included in these programs. Poverty can play some role in the societal problems and it should be uprooted from the society somehow. Researches should be funded by the government to carry out a detailed study which would help to find out as to why an individual is becoming a serial killer. In my belief all these steps are necessary for a uniform solution to the problem of serial killings. References Top of Form BcBrewster, John, Frederic P. Miller, and Agnes F. Vandome. Personality Psychology: Nature Versus Nurture, Cognition, Psychodynamics, Big Five Personality Traits, Trait Theory, Socionics, Bobo Doll Experiment, Locus of Control, Holland Codes. Beau Bassin: Alphascript Publ, 2009. Print. 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"The Frontal Lobe and Aggression."European Journal of Developmental Psychology. 6.1 (2009): 100-119. Print. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More