Preview

Serial Killer Nature Vs Nurture

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
540 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Serial Killer Nature Vs Nurture
It is too often where we see serial killers receive the crazy declaration after they commit their crimes. Some people might place mass murderers and serial killers in the same category. Nevertheless, that would be incorrect due to the fact that they are two totally different types of killers. While both of these individuals may fit in the category of killing many people, the difference lies in the reason they kill and the period over which individuals kill their victims. Serial killers are totally different and are a more dangerous threat to society. They may not kill too many people at one time, but some kill for many years without being caught. These types of killers are able to kill over and over again without being detected because they are very careful in their choice of victims. While people have heard many stories about serial …show more content…
nurture topic in the psychological community. Serial killers are one of the best topics in this area to study simply because of the mysterious ways in their behavior. Nature refers to all of the genes and hereditary factors that influence people from our physical appearance while nurture refers to the environmental variables that influence a person. Serial killers can be very complex and are psychological motivated by gratification as the main motive. David Berkowitz, known as the Son of Sam, is a serial killer whose profile is mainly about the nature topic. He was an American killer from New York City who murdered six people in 1976-1977. His sick crimes were unleashed as one of the largest manhunts in New York history. His targets included single women and couples, taking the lives of six people and leaving multiple people injured. In early life, Berkowitz was a bright but troubled child growing up. His killing spree began on July 29, 1976, with the shooting of two young women outside a Bronx apartment

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Glazer points out “Serial killers probably account for at most about 200 victims in the United States each year or 1 percent of all homicides” (Paragraph three). The reasoning for the violent acts varies with killers along with the motives. Glazer says “from head trauma to childhood abuse {…} to explain how someone becomes a serial killer, but many people suffer from such conditions without becoming serial killers” (Paragraph three). These beings unlike murderers kill in a brutal, violent and disgraceful way. Like Glazer states “most serial murder is an intimate experience for the killer in which the torture of the victim and watching the victim die are important parts of the experience. Sexual murderers often engage in bizarre sexual practices with their victims both before and after death” (Paragraph…

    • 424 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Serial murder is the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s), in separate events (Morton, 2005). For centuries serial killers have plagued society. These social deviants cunningly meander through communities murdering the most vulnerable: women, children, the homeless, and the elderly (Guillen, 2002). This paper will focus on two serial killers; Pedro Lopez and Jose Antonio Rodriguez Vega.…

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ted Bundy Research Paper

    • 3271 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Many researchers have studied the fascinating yet horrifying world of serial murderers. The discoveries made since the phrase "serial killers" was coined, have amazed society. Despite all the knowledge discovered related to this topic, much more still needs to be disclosed.…

    • 3271 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Son of Sam

    • 2703 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Throughout history we have witnessed gruesome murders and the serial killers behind them. Serial killers like Ted Bundy, the BTK killer, and one of New York’s own, and most memorable killers the .44 Caliber killer, also known as the “Son of Sam” killer. For over a year David Berkowitz, known as Son of Sam, was able to remain uncaught walking the streets committing these shootings wounding and murdering many people. The criminal investigation that was conducted to capture this violent serial killer was very complex and widely talked about because Berkowitz spread out his shootings over a course of a year and committed them every few months making it hard for police to find a trail to follow. This paper will discuss the early life of David Berkowitz giving us some insight on how and why he committed these crimes, an overview of the victims and why they were chosen, what investigative measures were used to track him down and lock him up, and also what happened to him after he was finally caught.…

    • 2703 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    A serial killer is someone who commits a series of murders, usually in a pattern, with no apparent motive. Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as “The Man Who Could Not Kill Enough” and one of America’s most infamous serial killers, is responsible for the murdering, dismembering, and eating of seventeen boys between the years of 1978 and 1991 (Wright and Hensley 78). A solid 100 percent of the adult and children that know Jeffrey Dahmer, identify him as a serial killer (Tithecott xi). Dahmer portrays thoughts of death and murder because of the actions he took during his thirteen year killing spree motivated by his social deficits and many mental illnesses.…

    • 1207 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Think of serial killer. Does he kill because it is in his genes? No matter what his parents did to raise him; he would have been a violent, serial killer no matter what. On the other hand, did his environment shape him to be a serial killer? Such as, his parent’s did not pay him enough attention, or he was abused as a child. Nature and nurture are factors that have come to be recognized as playing or interacting roles in development.…

    • 425 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    People become serial killers for a reason. The expression “Serial Killers” first presumably originated in 1970 by late FBI Agent Robert Ressler. Before this time society categorized them with Mass Murders. Agent Ressler was lecturing at a college when he heard someone describe the killing as having an unending ‘serial’ cycle. Going back to his childhood, he remembered the movie industry titled “Serial Adventures” which showed short films of Batman and other heroes. None of the shows that were played came to a gratifying close. It always left you wanting more. Ressler came to the conclusion that there should be two separate category’s for mass murders, a single killing of many people at one location, and serial homicide, multiple killings that…

    • 292 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Apparently, all serial killers are murderers, but not all murderers are serial killers according to an article titled "Serial Killers: Nature vs. Nurture." There are major differences between murderers and serial killers and according to this article,“ Serial killers are only driven by instinct and a desire to kill. Due to these sexual desires and the need to fulfill their arousing fantasies it often urges these individuals to murder those who are complete strangers. Therein lays the fundamental difference.” Now, the article discusses the fact that typically a serial killer’s profile is that of a white male between the ages of 20 and 30 who commonly target their victims within the area of their living space. Note that not all serial killers fit this profile and this is apparent through history, as women have been known to develop into serial killers as well. Psychotics and psychopaths can have personalities in common, such as dull emotions, but they tend to diverge regarding whether he/she can mentally stay within reality. Psychopaths are cunning and manipulative, but they do not experience hallucinations nor delusions. They do not hear the voices of strangers in their minds nor do they hold inaccurate theories about the world. However, no matter his/her sex, age, or race a serial killer is a serial killer. Thus, the question remains: Was it nature or what it nurture? Could it be both? It is evident that nurture takes the principal role in the creation of a serial killer. According to Gina, who wrote the article "Nurture Over Nature: Mental Illness and Traumatic Life Events," while nature does play a chief role in their creation and is accountable for a decent part of the process, it does not take it…

    • 1830 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Firstly, when the serial killer was not found, they feel their self a little bit shocked and then they committed a second crime. Following this, when they do not arrest again, they started to feel amazing and of course, they continue their actions. However, at this point in times they start to believe that they have a something like power which is only belong to them and also they sees their self much more powerful than the law. Besides, that believe is not a sign of the psychopathy since it is a clue of the narcissistic personality trait. Secondly, the serial killer has demonstrated an extreme sexual assault potential that illustrates that the serial killers prone to attack someone sexually by in words or rape. Thirdly, the serial killer has a repetitive activity that does not carry any meaning in their activity. For example, serial killer smokes before the killing or kill with the same method. Fourthly, the serial killers do not feel anything about the victim because they see that activity as ritual. Therefore, when they direct their emotions to the victim, their activity loses the meaning. Finally, they feel a need to sign their victim or activity by means of collecting a material which belongs to the victim or eat their some part. For instance, hoarding the objects which belong to the victims like watches or eat their body part of…

    • 2100 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Serial killers have been around for a very long time, and they will continue to exist and walk among us on a day to day basis. To categorize an individual as a serial killer they must have one or more of the following attributes within their character. This includes killing numerous amounts of people in a short period of time, having a release of sexual urges from performing these killings or believing they are doing the work of God.…

    • 1628 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    As quoted from the Vancouver Sun, “A serial killer is one who commits more than three murders over a period that spans more than one month. For the most part, serial killers commit murder for some sort of psychological benefit.” Looking at a serial killer’s motives, their choice of torture, and the ending of their spree, this definition will be brought to life.…

    • 275 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In both mass murder along with serial murder cases, victims die as the offender momentarily gains control of his or her life by controlling others. Whereas serial murder involves the killing of several victims over a period of time, mass murder involves the killing of several victims at one time and in one place. Gaining the little bit of control a killer lost in younger years justifies any murders he or she commits. It may not show on the surface but the differences between these two types of offenders far outweigh the similarities. It is easy to see that mass murderers a long with serial killers have countless similarities but small differences in their lives makes a significant difference in their actions.…

    • 689 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A serial killer is someone who kills at constant, but patient rate. After some while he takes what is called a "cooling off period". The difference between a mass murdered and a serial killer is that a serial killer will kill one at a time and then cool off. While a mass murderer will kill large amounts at a time. The victims of serial killers relates strait to the childhood. Certain victims are designated because the killer has a certain dislike towards them from early years.…

    • 304 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Serial Killer Mind

    • 2375 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Serial killing today seems to be something that we only see or hear about in the movie theater or in some true crime book. Serial killing is something of the past that happens in faraway places like Jack the Ripper in London, England. A an American society we lull ourselves into a sense of false security believing that serial murder is very rare and easily detected by law enforcement officials.…

    • 2375 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines a serial murder as the killing of several victims in ten or more separate incidents over an extended period of time (Dietz 483). Serial murderers are often classified into specific categories. One category is motive; motive killers are sexually sadistic killers or spree killers. The psychology of the killer is another category used to characterize these criminals. These types of killers are classified as sociopaths and psychopaths. This paper will focus mainly on killers of the psychotic and sexually sadistic kind, for these are the ones on which the public and media tend to focus.…

    • 2316 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays