Developmental Psychology Behind Serial Killers
Serial killers have not just provoked repulsion but also fascination. You may have wondered, What kind of person could do such a thing? Are there any indicators that someone may grow up to be a serial killer? The challenge behind this is that the act of serial killing in itself is extremely rare, making it challenging to pinpoint what drove the individual to commit such an extreme crime. But what can psychology tell us about serial killers? Can it give us a reason enough to justify their actions?
There are various socio-economic and psychological perspectives that try to analyze and explain serial killers. Let's look at the developmental psychology perspective.
There is no singular definition for serial killers. The APA defines serial killers as an individual who repeatedly commits murder, typically with a distinct pattern in the selection of victims, location, and method. It is essential to look at the distinct experiences that each serial killer has in order to try to understand what drives them. While examining a serial killer’s life chronology, it is important to carefully examine their childhood, in order to identify deviations in behavior, and trace it through their lifespan.
The question of whether serial killers are ‘born or made’ has long been a subject of intense debate. While there may be a genetic predisposition towards violence in some cases, the significant influence of a turbulent upbringing has a greater impact. It also leads to diminished social and emotional reactions as well as violence and aggression later on in life. Examples of such psychosocial factors include abuse, rejection, bullying and loneliness. Based on case studies on prominent serial killers, such as Dennis Nilsen, high degrees of loneliness and isolation in childhood were found to be crucial predictors of antisocial behavior. Research suggests a high prevalence of abuse and neglect in the life of serial killers. Mitchell and Aamodt's (2005) study found that 68% of serial killers had experienced some form of maltreatment. Toxic environments have a devastating effect on a child's developing brain, hindering emotional regulation and self-worth. When a child experiences consistent rejection or abuse from caregivers, it can lead to insecure attachment styles. This, in turn, can hinder the development of empathy and compassion, making it difficult to connect with others on a meaningful level.
In addition to familial influences, the broader social environment plays a crucial role. Peer relationships can either worsen or mitigate the impact of childhood trauma. For instance, a child who experiences bullying may internalize feelings of anger and resentment, which can later manifest into violent behavior. Many aggressive and violent thoughts thus arise in childhood and eventually materialize in adulthood.
Many serial killers exhibit a strong desire for power and control. This stems from the feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness experienced during their formative years. The act of killing becomes a way of establishing control, to instill fear in others. This cycle of violence can be further fueled by a lack of remorse and a disconnect from the emotional consequences of their actions.
One prominent personality disorder often associated with serial killers is psychopathy. Psychopaths exhibit a combination of traits: lack of remorse, empathy, and superficial charm. Their brains may process emotions differently, making it challenging for them to form meaningful connections with others. However, it is important to remember that not all serial killers are psychopaths, and not all psychopaths become serial killers.
Research suggests that the three behavioral actions postulated in the MacDonald Triad can be early predictors of psychopathic tendencies. In 1963, John MacDonald published a controversial paper titled ‘The Threat to Kill’; he suggested that a link can be found between certain childhood behaviors and a tendency toward violence in adulthood. According to the MacDonald Triad, fire setting, animal cruelty and enuresis past the age of 5 in children, are frequently the result of abuse by parents, and serve as signs of future violent tendencies, such as murder or serial killing. These triadic behaviors may arise due to a dysfunctional familial setting, indicating a higher likelihood of engaging in antisocial behavior.
Animal cruelty - Possibly the most disturbing behavior in Macdonald’s Triad. It is a serious warning indicator, given most children love animals and want to protect them. Macdonald believed prolonged humiliation of children by others was the root cause of animal cruelty. This was particularly true when the child was being abused by adults against whom they were powerless. Children use animals as a vehicle for their frustrations since they lack the strength to act violently against the adult who may be hurting or humiliating them. Animal cruelty gives the child a sense of power and control, but at the same time, it may serve as an indicator of a lack of empathy from a very young age.
"One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it." - Margaret Mead.
Studies have shown that psychopaths use the same methods of torturing people as they did to small animals when they were children, for example - Jeffrey Dahmer.
Setting fires - Children use fire as a way to vent their anger and frustration caused by feelings of powerlessness and belittlement by adults whom they feel they have no control over. Though fire-setting does not directly involve a living thing, it can nevertheless satisfy unresolved hostility.
David Berkowitz murdered six young people, started 1400 fires, and began torturing animals before the age of ten. There are hundreds of such cases of violent children who were abused and tortured animals.
Bedwetting - Macdonald believed that enures, or bedwetting is associated with the same feelings of humiliation that could trigger the other triad behaviours. Bedwetting could indicate that the child is regularly experiencing stress or anxiety. Wetting the bed would make the child feel both ashamed and in trouble, evoking feelings of self-hatred and anger. It is part of a cycle that can heighten the feelings of embarrassment, and the child also feels in trouble for wetting the bed. As the behavior continues, they may continue to feel increasingly anxious and helpless. This can lead to them wetting the bed more frequently.
Larry Hall was a kidnapper, rapist, and murderer. He was prone to night terrors and compulsive bedwetting even past 5 years of age.
It is essential to remember that not everyone who had a challenging childhood ends up being a serial killer. The developmental process is complex and influenced by numerous factors. While abuse, neglect, and trauma can be significant risk factors, they are not always determinative. Additional factors such as social environment, access to support systems, and even biological predispositions can play a role. So how is it that some individuals grow up to be altruistic, while at the extreme end of the spectrum we have psychopaths? Abigail Marsh's research focused on the role of the amygdala in psychopathy and altruism. She found that psychopaths have smaller amygdalas and are less responsive to the sight of others' fear, while altruistic people have larger amygdalas and are more responsive to the sight of others' fear.
While a definite biological or genetic link to serial killing remains elusive, some studies suggest that certain genes may increase the risk of violent behavior, particularly when coupled with environmental triggers. However, it has been proven that there is a link between aggression and neurochemical imbalances. Low serotoninergic levels are often related to self-destructive and impulsive conduct, whereas elevated levels of synaptic serotonin are connected to violence. Brain abnormalities, particularly those affecting the frontal lobe, have been related to violent conduct in some cases. Numerous studies have also looked into the correlation between neurodevelopmental disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and criminal behavior.
Several research studies have also found that oftentimes, serial killers have an extensive background of substance abuse. In some cases, there is even prenatal exposure to substances that could have significant influence on the fetus. Children may come into contact with substances and drugs during their early years, through interactions with their peers or older siblings. If a person begins at a young age, they could become addicted and rely on the substance for most of their life. The addiction can lead to executing petty crimes in order to fund one’s alcohol or drug abuse and that can eventually progress to a point where they eventually commit their first homicide.
Richard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker, had a troubled upbringing and had suffered two brain injuries. He was often abused by his father and started using drugs at the age of 10. He would frequently commit break-ins to fund his drug habit, and many of these crimes would then involve battery, murders, attempted murders, rapes and attempted rapes.
Serial killers are a complex phenomenon that continues to fascinate and terrify us. While their deeds are extremely horrific and deserve condemnation, it's important to avoid dehumanization. Developmental psychology offers insights into their backgrounds, often revealing troubled childhoods marked by abuse, neglect, and isolation. Recognizing the complex interplay of developmental factors that may contribute to such behavior helps illuminate the psychological factors behind serial killing.
About the author
Meet Disha, a psychology student with more knowledge about tv shows than her academic syllabus. She is the go to person for recommendations for anything from movies and series to songs and books. From making graphic designs to doing theatre she is a true artist (procrastinator) at heart. You can text her at any time and expect to be left on seen until 3 in the morning.
References -
Briones, A. (2020). The Developmental Psychology of a Serial Killer: A case study. ScholarWorks. https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/projects/7p88cp01v
McMillion, F. D. (n.d.). Psychology of child Serial killer [Book]. In Session LIII. https://www.cji.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Psychology_of_Child_Serial_Killer.pdf
Verma, A. (2020, August 16). Serial killers - a comprehensive guide - iPleaders. iPleaders. https://blog.ipleaders.in/serial-killers-comprehensive-guide/
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