Cold Blooded Killers?
Deviance is defined as a behavior, trait or belief that departs from a norm and generates a negative reaction in a particular group. What one culture perceives as deviant might be different from another culture. Cultural norms in society dictate what might be perceived as deviant. The spectrum of deviance in our culture ranges from something small like chewing with your mouth open to incest. One of the most extreme examples of deviance in our society are serial killers. Murder is a huge taboo in our society and the mass killing of people fascinates and horrifies the American public. Serial killers are a prime example of rebels and primary deviance. Using serial killers as an example, this essay will explore six theories …show more content…
Murder is one norm in our society that dates back to the ten commandments. Not only do our own laws prohibit us from it, it is ingrained in Christianity, Catholicism, and Judaism, the most prevalent religions in our society. The extremely negative reactions to mass killings reinforce the belief that murder is wrong. The general consensus is that the acts of serial killers are disgusting. They rebel against the norm in such an extreme manner that they have been described as barely human, although their psychology suggests they have no feelings and therefore cannot feel sympathy for others. For example, in cases like Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer, they were sent to the electric chair for their crimes, although it was proven that they had no ability to feel. Punishing these sociopaths without mercy or sympathy represents our belief that if you murder that many people you should be dead or at the very least be in jail for the rest of your …show more content…
The stereotypical serial killer is generally a pretty new idea. When H.H. Holmes as discovered to have murdered at least 25 people at the Chicago World’s Fair, the murders shocked the world. Nobody had heard of one person killing that many people before. It was foreign to society and the media had a field day. Since H. H. Holmes serial killings have become more common. Were more aware of their existence and they’re a part of popular culture, so were less shocked by mass killings than we were when H.H. Holmes established himself as the world’s first serial killer. While reactions to serial killers are still extremely negative, they don’t come close to the reaction from the original Chicago World’s fair murders.
Differential association theory states that deviance is learned from others. However, Ted Bundy did not know or was inspired by other killers. He admitted to having an interest in knives from an early age and committed petty crimes in his teens. It seems that his deviance stemmed from his own personality, not his surroundings. He was however, an example of labeling theory. Although he was intelligent, he was an outsider his entire life. He admitted to not being able to have social interactions. Therefore, he was never fully socialized and never felt connected to
Deviance is defined as a behavior, trait or belief that departs from a norm and generates a negative reaction in a particular group. What one culture perceives as deviant might be different from another culture. Cultural norms in society dictate what might be perceived as deviant. The spectrum of deviance in our culture ranges from something small like chewing with your mouth open to incest. One of the most extreme examples of deviance in our society are serial killers. Murder is a huge taboo in our society and the mass killing of people fascinates and horrifies the American public. Serial killers are a prime example of rebels and primary deviance. Using serial killers as an example, this essay will explore six theories …show more content…
Murder is one norm in our society that dates back to the ten commandments. Not only do our own laws prohibit us from it, it is ingrained in Christianity, Catholicism, and Judaism, the most prevalent religions in our society. The extremely negative reactions to mass killings reinforce the belief that murder is wrong. The general consensus is that the acts of serial killers are disgusting. They rebel against the norm in such an extreme manner that they have been described as barely human, although their psychology suggests they have no feelings and therefore cannot feel sympathy for others. For example, in cases like Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer, they were sent to the electric chair for their crimes, although it was proven that they had no ability to feel. Punishing these sociopaths without mercy or sympathy represents our belief that if you murder that many people you should be dead or at the very least be in jail for the rest of your …show more content…
The stereotypical serial killer is generally a pretty new idea. When H.H. Holmes as discovered to have murdered at least 25 people at the Chicago World’s Fair, the murders shocked the world. Nobody had heard of one person killing that many people before. It was foreign to society and the media had a field day. Since H. H. Holmes serial killings have become more common. Were more aware of their existence and they’re a part of popular culture, so were less shocked by mass killings than we were when H.H. Holmes established himself as the world’s first serial killer. While reactions to serial killers are still extremely negative, they don’t come close to the reaction from the original Chicago World’s fair murders.
Differential association theory states that deviance is learned from others. However, Ted Bundy did not know or was inspired by other killers. He admitted to having an interest in knives from an early age and committed petty crimes in his teens. It seems that his deviance stemmed from his own personality, not his surroundings. He was however, an example of labeling theory. Although he was intelligent, he was an outsider his entire life. He admitted to not being able to have social interactions. Therefore, he was never fully socialized and never felt connected to