The Mind of a Serial Killer

'; I personally have come to the conclusion that they are both murderers and victims. I. Definition: 'Serial murder'; has long been a term used to describe those human beings that repeatedly commit heinous crimes. It is rare that the average person probes the mind of a serial killer without bias. However, what lies behind the eyes of a serial killer deserves more than the cold hard look that society so often gives (Aaronson, Inter... ... middle of paper ... ...r from the truth.

Since the 'Jack the Ripper' murders of 1888 in Whitechapel, London, the incidence of serial killers had increased at a steady rate. Names such as Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy and Myra Hindley strike fear and horror into the hearts of normal people who cannot comprehend the subhuman actions of such violent people. Arguments still continue as to what drives these people to kill. Many believe that bad parenting and traumatic childhood experiences are a major factor in creating a serial killer, while others believe they are simply born evil, and that no amount of either good or bad parenting can change their basic personality. Statistically, the average serial killer is a white male from a lower to middle class background, usually in his twenties or thirties.

They are thrill seekers, literally fearless.” (Scott). Similarly, for all serial killers, murder is either a natural or passion-filled choice that they make. Although, the types of serial killers and skill level vary immensely. Serial killers are typically classified by their social and organizational skills, or lack of it. Oddly enough, a serial killer has a regular mental behavior as well, whe... ... middle of paper ... ...anently struck fear in innocent people all around the world, and while it may never be possible to prove why these certain people felt driven to kill, defining the characteristics of a serial killer makes it easier to better recognize their motives, methods and marks apart from other types of criminals.

Today 's society seems entranced by serial killers in the news and media. Because of the worldwide coverage on serial killers, forensic psychiatrists have taken an interest in these people and often interview them after they have been caught. There are multiple studies and reports of individuals who have committed serial murders but only a small amount of reports on adolescents who have shown serious fantasies about becoming serial killers prior to actualizing their fantasy. This paper explores the question that has been asked for centuries. That question is whether or not serial killers are born the kill or driven to murder.

In profiling a serial killer, law enforcers realize that serial killers are not unlike regular people; there are several exceptions like schizophrenics but most of them look like everyone else. Serial killers, often, do not just kill, they might also eat their victims, torture, or rape them, and then they finish them off. A serial killer is different from a mass murderer, in that mass murderers kill many people in one instance, whereas serial killers annihilate individuals one at a time and do not go on to kill again until a month or so has passed. There is much agreement that all serial killers deserve to be punished it is how they are punished that brings in controversy. Another aspect of serial killers are their motives, why do they do what they do?

The motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification” (Gerdes). Serial killers have specific traits to them that make them stick out from other mass murderers. Serial killers commonly have a meaning behind their killing. It is rare to see a serial killer killing just to kill. Most serial killers have a c... ... middle of paper ... ...nd no way right, but, most of the time the urge to kill for them roots from somewhere.

These people are more than likely normal everyday people who have an itch to kill. Along with the number and how many victims are recovered, there are numerous other possibilities to classify a serial murderer. Although most work alone, killers have been known to work in teams, be male or female, and can be killing for a reason or no reason at all. One thing that all serial killers have in common is some sort of psychological impairment that is the main reason scientists believe to be responsible for their actions. These psychological impairments that accompany most killers include characteristics like superficial charm, unreliability, untruthfulness, lack of remorse, and failure to follow any life plan.

Not all sociopaths become serial killers, but the combination of abusive childhood, environment and genetic influences pushes them to repeatedly kill and take innocent lives. Peoples ideal definitions of a sociopath often mislead them. A sociopath is classified as a person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience.Sociopaths are not as uncommon as most people think Your average neighbor may even have the urge to kill and dismember bodies. This being said, not all sociopaths take the leap to murder and often keep their thoughts to themselves . Sociopaths have completely different personality traits and characteristics than the normal human being.

However, the most interesting and sought after questions are the ones that have always been controversial. One example is; what goes on inside the mind of a killer? In this paper I will try to develop a better understanding of these driven killers and their motives. Although mass murderers and serial killers are both dangerous and somewhat sick people, there are several distinct characteristics of each that put them in different categories. The most distinct differences between the two are; Most mass killers kill several victims over a relatively short period of time, usually hours, but sometimes days (Murder 1).

Th... ... middle of paper ... ...ryone around them; serial killers commit these terrible crimes because of the connectivity of their brains, or how they are brought up as a child. (1b: SV; SV, or SV.) The definition for the word “serial killer” is a series of three to ten murders, each with a period of rest. Serial killers stay in the minds of many people for years, if not the rest of their lives. Works Cited Brogaard, Berit, DMSci, PhD, and Kristian Marlow.