Psychological research has been making some headway in discovering the key traits and characteristics common in serial killers. Furthermore, this research highlights just how complex the human mind can be and how the various strands of biological makeup, childhood experience, and mental health can intertwine together.
An infographic “What Makes A Serial Killer?” has been produced by NCC Home Learning, (view it here) who have hundreds of home learning courses available including Criminology, Forensic Psychology, Forensic Science, and the Psychology of Criminal Profiling. It highlights the results of some of the most recent research into serial killers and the types of personality which is most often seen. Power can be an important trait for those who commit serial murder; a desire to feel control over others and have the final decision over their victim’s fate.
These individuals are often very good at reading people, being able to pick up on vulnerabilities and exploit them while being utterly charming on the outside. Ted Bundy was a master manipulator and used these skills to lure his victims into positions where he could abduct, assault, and murder them.
Serial killers have often been associated with psychopathic traits; although it needs to be said that not all those who have such traits go on to commit murder or any crime at all.
Psychopathic Traits
Different types of psychopaths fall into the same broad category but have different characteristics which distinguish them from each other. Some like the danger of murder. They enjoy engaging in risk-taking behavior to obtain excitement and thrills which they cannot achieve normally.
Many are narcissists who believe they are special and relish in causing damage to those around them to feed their need for power, authority, and control. For these individuals their primary aim is self-benefit, and they do not care who gets hurt in the process. Some serial killers who may also fall into the category of psychopaths are entirely straightforward ‘normal’ people. There are no clear signs of a problem and this, quite possibly, makes them the most dangerous.
Seasoned true crime writer Carol Anne Davis has recently explored this topic in her book ‘Masking Evil: When Good Men and Women Turn Criminal‘, examining 37 cases of individuals who were in respected professions but whose dark side tipped them over into the most heinous of crimes.
There is evidence from fMRI studies that psychopaths do not have the same brain function as non-psychopaths and this, it has been suggested, may go some way to explain how serial killers can continue to kill without emotion or remorse.
Childhood Experience
Another focus of criminologists and psychologists is how some of these traits develop and why they develop in some individuals and not others. Childhood abuse often features in the background of serial killers and psychopaths.
John Wayne Gacy, Gary Ridgeway, and Ed Gein are all notorious serial killers who suffered abuse as children, thought to have impacted their violent behavior as adults. Abuse can be physical and/or psychological in nature and deeply affects their sense of self at a critical time in their development.
Anti-social behavior, voyeurism, and controlling behavior all raise red flags for an individual and all have been closely associated with serial killers.
Mental Illness
Mental illness can be a feature of serial killers and psychopaths. Schizophrenia for example often manifests in auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoia, and disturbed cognition, all of which have a profound influence on how that individual views the world around them and the people in it.
Mental illness itself, however, is not a sign that an individual will become violent or harm those around them. With such a high prevalence of mental illness within the population, a percentage of serial killers will inevitably show a history that features some form of mental ill health.
The investigation into the development of such traits common to serial murderers and the brains of serial killers is sure to continue. Much of this research is centered around the idea that brain damage and mental illness can be a combination that impairs judgment and impulses. Add a history of childhood abuse and a very angry individual emerges. An individual who may well be capable of serial murder.
Related Books:
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The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers Accurate, unglamorized information on hundreds of serial murder cases including the Sniper Killers; the Green River Killer; Harold Shipman, and Aileen Wuornos.
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Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters Vronsky not only offers sound theories on what makes a serial killer but also provides concrete suggestions on how to survive an encounter with one.
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Criminal Psychology: A Beginner’s Guide From the signals that give away we’re lying to psychologically profiling violent offenders, this exhaustive guide, written by UK experts is the perfect introduction.
