This assignment will attempt to answer the question are serial killers are born or made. The argument is that serial killers are born rather than made. Meaning that they where born to be serial killers and there’s nothing anyone could have do to stop them and then the people that believe that serial killers are the way they are because of how and where they where brought up and by whom. This assignment will put before you are Nature & Nurture and serial killer typology. There are always going to be disputes as not everyone will agree or disagree. So, this assignment will try and give a balanced argument, and give you a conclusion from research found.
There are three types of multiple killer offenders, these are mass murderer, spree killer and serial killer. A mass murderer is when the offender kills 4 or more in one place with no attempt to hide. An example of a mass murderer is Thomas Hamilton, who killed 17 people and injuring 15 at Dunblane Primary School in March 1996 (Dunblane Massacre). Thomas Hamilton made no attempt to hide from the police, he committed suicide when he shot himself later that day. A spree killer is when the offender kills 2 or more in a short period of time. An example of a spree killer is Derrick Bird, who went of a shooting spree killing 12 people and injuring 11 on 2nd June 2010 around the West Coast of Cumbria. He then went on to shoot himself this the same day. A serial killer is when the offender kills 3 or more victims, but this includes a distinctive “COOLING OFF” period. This cooling off period can be days or months or years. An example of a serial killer is Dr. Harold Shipman who killed up to 260 victims, these where usually in hospital environment between 1975-2000. Dr Harold Shipman committed suicide, before the medical board could strip him of his doctorate status, meaning his wife kept his pension.
Nature and Nurture debate looks at the significance of genetics (nature) over experiences in development (nurture).
According to Sigmund Freud who was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, he considers all new-borns babies are born with a moral blank slate.
You would think that this is a relative new debate with the advances in science, but it is actually a long running debate, but Francis Galton who was a English Victorian sociologist and psychologist who wrote around 300+ books and articles on a range of subjects, he was a cousin of Charles Darwin and was knighted by King Edward for his published work. Said that people were talking about this as far back as 1610-1611 where William Shakespeare, wrote in The TEMPEST “A devil, a born devil, on whose Nature, Nurture can never stick”. (Shakespeare, 1876). This is meaning that evil people are born evil and no amounts of nurturing can change.
Psychopaths are people with a psychopathic personality usually display amoral and antisocial behaviours. They also are unable to find loving or establish meaningful relationships.
Sociopath is an umbrella term for people with antisocial personality disorder or ASPD. These antisocial behaviour treats usually manifest as criminal behaviours. They also lack any sense of moral or social responsibilities.
A narcissist will have excessive interest in or admiration of themselves and thinks the world revolves around them. They live in a fantasy world that supports their delusions and they will quite often/frequently demean, intimidates, bullies, or belittles others.
Triad of behaviour or the MacDonald triad has three stages. First stage is bed wetting past the age of 12 years old. Second is fondness of destruction and setting fires. The third stage of the triad is animal abuse. Although there is research on the triad, there is further research needed to establish the effectiveness of the triad.
A power oriented killers enjoy watching and inflicting terror of their victims. They also take souvenirs from their victims as mementos or reminders. An example of one of these killers is Ted Bundy, he took poloid pictures of his victims to remind himself of them. When Ted Bundy was asked by detectives why he took the photos he relied “When you work hard to do something right, you don’t want to forget it.” (Bonn, 2018). It is said that Ted Bundy became a serial killer for a variety of factors all being Nurture. First, he was brought up by his grandfather and grandmother who its believed that he was the result of an incest relationship between his mother (sister) and her father (grandfather). It’s believed he also suffered physical or psychological abuse from his father/grandfather. All of these are Nurture factors.
A mission oriented killer kills because they feel that they are improving the world by getting rid of undesirable people. These people could be Prostitutes, Children, Young People, Gay Men or the Elderly. Mission oriented killers would be considered as Nurture because they are trying to improve the environment around them. An example of a Mission Oriented killer is Dr. Harold Shipman who killed the Elderly, who he says as a burden on society. He started killing in 1975 at the age of 29 years old. It is believed that witnessing his mother’s death at the age of 17 of cancer was the catalyst for his killings. He witnessed his mother’s doctor administering morphine to ease her suffering and it’s believed that is why he did what he did. He wanted to ease the suffering of the elderly.
Visionary oriented killer kills because there being directed by hallucinations.
An example of a visionary oriented killer is David Berkowitz he is also known as “Son of Sam”, from New York who suffered from Paranoid Schizophrenia. As a result of his psychiatric condition, he suffered from hallucinations. He was part of a violent cult.
Hedonistic oriented killers gain sexual satisfaction from raping, mutilating and sometimes eating their victims. An example of a hedonistic oriented killer is Jeffery Dahmer (also known as Milwaukee Cannibal). He would murder and then rape the victims before dismembering them. He had killed 17 people in a span of around 13 years. These killers gain sexual satisfaction from raping, mutilating and sometimes eating their victims. As human being’s your sex drive is determined partly by your inherited genes. Scientists have now discovered an gene that influences your personality, this gene could also effect your sexual desire and sexual functions
Meaning that these people at are following their Hedonistic desires are Nature, as these are your genes. People who suffer from Paranoid Schizophrenia can suffer from hallucinations. It is believed that you are born with Paranoid Schizophrenia and other similar mental conditions (e.g. bipolar disorder) As you are born with conditions they are considered as Nature.
Comfort Oriented killers, kill for financial gain. They will attain this by either gaining insurance benefits or inheritance. This is usually to make their lives more comfortable (e.g. financially). An example of a comfort oriented killer is Golay and Rutterschmidt, they were dubbed as the Black Widow Homeless Murders. They would befriend the victims and then apply for life insurance policies on them, listing them as beneficiaries of the policies. They then would stage the victim’s deaths as hit and runs, then they would claim the insurance payouts. These killers kill for financial gain, by either gaining insurance benefits or inheritance. This is usually to make their lives more comfortable (e.g. financially). People are born with any recognition from money. This is acquire through interactions with the environment you are brought up in, meaning this is Nurture.
Disciple Oriented killer are people that kill under the influence of an influential person, this is could be as part of a Cult. An example of a disciple oriented killer is Leslie Van Houten and Lynettte Fromme who were both part of the ‘Manson Family’. The Manson Family was a cult in California USA in the late 60’s. That was lead by Charles Manson who controlled everyone of the 100 or so followers. People who are being influenced by an influential person, usually have been abused or abandoned before they join these cults or gangs, because they to join to be part of a family. An example of this would be Leslie Van Houten and Lynettte Fromme who joined the Manson Family, but soon after joining Charlies Manson (the leader) would become violent and not let people leave. Meaning that this Nurture.