Research Paper - Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killings PDF

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Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killings

NAME Saint Leo University

CRM 426 Dr. Nancy Santiago February 28, 2021

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

Abstract Whenever there is a serial killer on the loose, the media and public tend to become fascinated and fearful. Academic institutions have studied serial killers such as Ted Bundy and Aileen Wuornos and their crimes. Still, very few studies provide theoretical reasons behind the explanations and behaviors that motivate serial killers. Serial killings are an unpleasant string of events that have been around for years. Many theories have been developed regarding the motivation of serial murder, with a common belief that it is usually done for excitement, gain, or anger and can often be spontaneous. Serial killings range from a few days to a few years between the initial killing and subsequent killings. Many theories, such as biological, psychological, and sociological theories, drive the killer to commit the string of murders. Researchers have studied many theories to find a link between the killer and what motivates them, but there is no scientific data to support researchers' consensus. A summary of the motivations behind serial killing theories will be discussed in this paper.

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killings Serial murder is perhaps one of the most horrific crimes committed, and it is difficult to comprehend how an individual could enjoy killing others. Serial murder is often referred to as murder with no motive. This behavior is disturbing and highlights a small portion of society that engages in this behavior. It is challenging to discuss a serial killer's theoretical motivations without considering a serial killer's characteristics. People tend to become overwhelmingly intrigued when news outlets report a serial killer on the loose. The media exaggerates the serial killer's motives that caused the killer to murder multiple people. Perhaps this fascination has led researchers to conducted studies to understand what motivates a serial killer to take the lives of so many innocent people. Literature Review Serial murder is often referred to as the most horrific and senseless act of criminal behavior. There is no scientific data or evidence that confirms or denies the actions that result in serial murder. Serial killing is a broad topic with many facets for researchers to study. Every researcher has a different approach when looking at the psychological and biological factors that result in a serial killing. Understanding the theoretical motivations for serial killing should start with a better understanding of who the serial killer is. People tend to associate a middle-aged white male who is evil with a sadistic gratification from hunting and killing their victims. The reality is that serial killers are represented by all races, genders, ages, and ordinary everyday people who would not be considered insane to the average person. To meet the serial killer criteria, one must commit three or more killings with a cooling-off period

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

ranging from a few days or a few years with subsequent murders at different times and have no connection to the initial murder (Walden, 1999, pg. 37). There are many problems with providing a more thorough definition because the motivations that drive a male and female serial killer are not the same. Many psychological, biological, and sociological explanations have been studied related to the motives of serial killing. When reviewing each of these theories, there are different approaches to take. Researchers must study the killer and how they can rationalize their motivations that led to serial killing when studying criminal psychology. The first thing that researchers start looking into is the killer's childhood and attachment to their parental figure. The attachment theory was first developed by John Bowley, which explains that children's development is directly affected by their relationships with their mother or caretaker. Bowley believed that when a child feels abandoned by their parent, they yearn for the attention, and without it, they feel powerless. This feeling of abandonment can result in a future of violent behavior (Arrigo & Griffin, 2004, p. 377). Children who grow up with poor attachments to their parents are more likely to grow into adults who cannot form attachments in adulthood. The inability to maintain healthy relationships as adults can result in criminal behavior. Researchers have found that one of the most common motivations for a serial killer to murder starts from early childhood. Research has shown that serial killings are likely a result of a sexually, physically, or psychologically abused child combined with unhealthy relationships that result in deviant and violent behavior (Arrigo & Griffin, 2004, p. 377). Because there has been so little control throughout life, there is a motivation to continue to kill to be in control finally.

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

Because these characteristics begin at an early age, it is difficult for researchers to find scientific explanations related to attachment theory. The fascination that surrounds Ted Bundy has created a false sense of what the serial killer is. Ted Bundy was charismatic and educated and demonstrated many antisocial tendencies, which has led many to believe that a serial killer's profile is intelligent. While initial studies have theorized that serial killers have a high intelligent quotient (IQ), there is no scientific research that supports the theory of a correlation between the killer and their IQ. Perhaps the belief that serial killers have a high IQ result from serial murders when investigated appears to be organized and strategic (Sharma, 2019, p. 9). Researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University reviewed the myth of a high IQ. Researchers found substantial evidence showing a correlation between a low IQ and antisocial personality disorder in many serial killers (Leary et al., 2019, pg. 787). The vast majority of murders that occur in the world are motivated by something. Whether it is money, sex, or drugs, the killer feels they have a motive to commit the misdeed. Finding the motivation for serial killing is difficult. Many serial killers have a personality disorder, including antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder. People with personality disorders such as antisocial personality disorder have many common traits: manipulation, deceit, impulsive, aggressive, and lack of empathy. As personality disorders manifest, the symptoms often motivate a serial killer to kill from the lack of control of impulsive and aggressive behavior (Sharma, 2018, p. 18). Personality disorders of serial killers have been revealed as a useful tool to determine what motivates the killings. Still, there is difficulty diagnosing personality disorders due to the plethora of symptoms that a personality disorder may have.

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

Other psychological theories studied involve the need the killer has for power and control. The acts of power and control can stem from an overcome humiliation or lost power. For a serial killer, murder is a form of expression and not about the violence of the kill. A serial killer who wants to have all the power may stem because of narcissistic personality disorder. The power from hearing their victims scream and beg for mercy, followed by their violent actions, makes them feel superior. Both physical and biological makeup determines biology as it relates to criminal behavior. These inherited traits or characteristics state that the serial killer has no control over their behavior based on their biological makeup. The study of biological theories related to criminal conduct has been studied for centuries—the research of biological approaches to criminal behavior dated to the late 1800s. Cesare Lombroso published his theory that criminal behavior could be predicted by noting that criminals have different physical features than non-criminals. Although Lombroso's view is not currently used as a predictor of serial killing, researchers have studied natural explanations. Additional biological motivations that explain a serial killer's actions are related to head trauma and brain injury. A study of 165 serial killings from all over the world has found that many of the killers had some head injury or brain abnormalities which result in neurological dysfunctions that may motivate a serial killer to act out due to uncontrollable brainwave activity (Sharma, 2018, p. 13). When a serial killer has a brain injury during their adolescent years, it may result in dysfunctions in either the dopamine or serotonin levels the killer has, in essence, making them predisposed to violence

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

(Sherma, 2018, p. 13). Lastly, many scientific studies explain that hormone imbalances can lead to violent behavior, thus a serial killer having little control over their actions. What appears to be the most common attempt to explain a serial killer's actions is the sociological approach. Like the psychological in biological methods, the sociological system fails to give a clear-cut explanation. When providing a sociological motive for serial murder, general strain theory, social control theory, and social learning theory are commonly explored. People are not born killers, so the question begs what part does society play in developing a serial killer. Dr. Robert Merton developed the strain theory that argues that society's strains on a person to succeed may cause deviant behavior. Robert Agnew further elaborated on Merton's strain theory by suggesting that it is the stress to achieve that causes deviant behavior in addition to the strain of handling several individual stressors that can lead to deviant behavior (Agnew, 1992, p. 57). Agnew further explains that the loss of positively valued stimuli may seek revenge against those responsible for the loss (Agnew, 1992, pg. 58). Serial killers who cannot control the different strains in their lives can lead to them committing murder. Social control theory is examined by studying the belief that everyone is capable of deviant behaviors. Still, those who lack control give in the impulsive feelings that drive a serial killer to commit murder (Lee & Choi, 2014, p. 101). Social control focuses on the lack of significant relationships with others. When describing social learning theory, it often relates to reward and punishment. Much like the general strain theory, the

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

motivation is to seek revenge as a motive for murder, precisely, on victims with similar physical characteristics to the person who humiliated them. Conclusion Researchers worldwide have developed many theories that offer insight as to what characteristics serial killers have in common. Still, there is little scientific data to substantiate how these traits motivate serial killers to act on their impulses. The inability to provide scientific data to support motivations may be a result of psychological, biological, and sociological explanations having many similar traits. Although it is difficult to find the causes, one definite motivator is the trauma that the serial killer has endured as a child and the need to find control. Although serial murder makes up around one percent of homicides committed, the public has an overwhelming amount of fascination. Hollywood has reaped the rewards on the victims' back by making popular documentaries, television shows, and movies. Hollywood has portrayed serial killers as monsters, but the reality is they are ordinary people who can easily be motivated by their environment and their inability to cope. As researchers continue to study the theories that motivate serial killings, it will assist law enforcement in their investigations. Once there is a better understanding, there is hope that the killings will decline.

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

Saint Leo Core Value of Excellence Responsible stewardship provides us with an abundance of resources. As research is developed, we must utilize all resources available to understand better the motives of serial murder.

Theoretical Motivations for Serial Killing

References AGNEW, R. (1992). Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency*. Criminology, 30(1), 47-88. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.17459125.1992.tb01093.x Arrigo, B. A., & Griffin, A. (2004). Serial murder and the case of Aileen Wuornos: attachment theory, psychopathy, and predatory aggression. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 22, 375-393. Fox, J. A., & Levin, J. (1998). Multiple homicide: Patterns of serial and mass murder. Crime and Justice, 23, 407-455. https://doi.org/10.1086/449274 Leary, T., Southard, L., & Aamodt, M. (2019). Serial killers and intelligence levels: variability, patterns, and motivations to kill. North American Journal of Psychology, 21(4), 787-800. Lee, J., & Choi, K. (2014). Serial murder: an exploration and evaluation of theories and perspectives. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 4(3), 99-106. Sharma, M. (2018). The development of serial killers: a grounded theory study. Walden, W. (1999). Can personality disorders be used as predictors of serial killers? Futurics, 23(3), 34-43....