Serial Killers: A Psychological Analysis

The psychology of serial killers is a very intriguing yet a frightening topic, which has caused an abundant amount of interest. The thought of a human committing such atrocious crimes without feeling remorse has puzzled the average human being for centuries. There have been many theories surrounding the cause of killings, including the biological trait theory, criminological theory, and the psychodynamic theory (Blair, 2003; Yang, Raine, Colletti, 2005). An emphasis upon abuse during pre-adolescent and early childhood years aligns serial killers with the Biological Trait theories (Holmes and DeBurger, 1998). These theories focus upon biological conditions that control human behaviours.
Studies have found similarities between known serial killers
Causing them to engage in destructive behaviours and undeterred-violent play, they habitually displayed cruelty towards animals, and committed arson. Alfred Adler’s theory, the Adlerian, suggests that the development of a personality is discovered by striving for superiority, trying to overcome feelings of inferiority. These prevalent social and family conditions lead to psychological malfunctions within the children, causing feelings of inferiority which the serial killers instilled in their victims. Mental and physical trauma causes negative long lasting effects upon an individual. ‘42% of convicted serial killers suffered from physical abuse, whilst 43% were sexually abused’ (Aynesworth 1999). Due to the accumulation of neglect and abuse, psychopathic behaviour is viewed by sociologists as the brain’s defence mechanism. (Aynesworth
Katherine a head injury, could cause impulsive violence in one person, whilst the same injury would have no effect on someone else, and a third might be violent without any head injury. This analogy suggests that any factor will operate differently, across the board, in every individual, including psychopaths. Whilst there are many individuals within our society that can be classified as psychopaths, not all are serial killers. Every individual reacts to situations differently (Meloy, 1988). Psychopaths that are not serial killers demonstrate these traits in their everyday lives. They are very unreliable and irrational and may be successful in the business world by being conniving and manipulative towards their colleagues or clients. Although these psychopaths possess the same traits as serial killers, they maintain a normal