Everything happens for a reason, even murder. Nonetheless, people believe murderers should not be able to explain why they ended a life, but this could be vital to preventing future homicides. However, most of the time, the motive is not clear. One explanation of this could be a personality disorder known as antisocial personality disorder. Many serial killers have this disorder. As he is described in Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, H.H. Holmes possesses symptoms of antisocial disorder. People with this affliction are described as “a person [whom] exhibits a lack of conscience for wrongdoing, even toward friends and family members; may be aggressive and ruthless or a clever con artist,” in Exploring Psychology by David G. Myers. Reading
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Is it their DNA makeup to become a murderer, or is it the way they were raised? This debate is known as “Nature vs. Nurture.” An article titled Serial Killers: Nature vs. Nurture reads, “Though we are all classified the same as human, we each are unequally different in our genetic makeup.” Predetermined genes can have impacts on the way a person behaves. DNA determines everything from the way someone looks to the way someone thinks. Consequently, genetics can determine if someone is susceptible to mental illness and unhealthy thinking patterns. National Institute of Mental Illness discusses the heredity of a severe mental illness called schizophrenia. The Institute says, “Scientists have long known that schizophrenia sometimes runs in families. The illness occurs in less than 1 percent of the general population, but it occurs in 10 percent of people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder, such as a parent, brother, or sister. People who have second-degree relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins) with the disease also develop schizophrenia more often than the general population. The risk is highest for an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia. He or she has a 40 to 65 percent chance of developing the disorder.” This illuminates the significance genetics play in the brain. If someone is more genetically inclined to be lonely or develop antisocial personality …show more content…
Although everyone is unique, murderers share similar peculiarities. Susan Frese has a list of 9 Early Warning Signs for Serial Killers. Two of the warning signs resonate with Holmes: intelligence and controlling behavior. He is known as one of the brightest boys in school (Snavely 4). He is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s medical school which is no easy feat. With his high IQ, Holmes can manipulate others. This is how he tricked many of his victims to trust him. His intellect proved successful in business too. He came to own many businesses around Chicago. In fact, he purchased his famous drugstore by manipulating a grieving widow (Larson 37). Despite the charm of Holmes, he has controlling tendencies. This side of him is often hidden under the surface until someone is under his spell. The entranced victims would do anything for him. He had total control over their lives. Often, he would have the women take out life insurance policies with him as the beneficiary (Larson). This constant need for power may be fighting his sense of insecurities. He had no control over the abuse he received; so, now, he could be trying to control everything. This is how he finds
Is it their DNA makeup to become a murderer, or is it the way they were raised? This debate is known as “Nature vs. Nurture.” An article titled Serial Killers: Nature vs. Nurture reads, “Though we are all classified the same as human, we each are unequally different in our genetic makeup.” Predetermined genes can have impacts on the way a person behaves. DNA determines everything from the way someone looks to the way someone thinks. Consequently, genetics can determine if someone is susceptible to mental illness and unhealthy thinking patterns. National Institute of Mental Illness discusses the heredity of a severe mental illness called schizophrenia. The Institute says, “Scientists have long known that schizophrenia sometimes runs in families. The illness occurs in less than 1 percent of the general population, but it occurs in 10 percent of people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder, such as a parent, brother, or sister. People who have second-degree relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins) with the disease also develop schizophrenia more often than the general population. The risk is highest for an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia. He or she has a 40 to 65 percent chance of developing the disorder.” This illuminates the significance genetics play in the brain. If someone is more genetically inclined to be lonely or develop antisocial personality …show more content…
Although everyone is unique, murderers share similar peculiarities. Susan Frese has a list of 9 Early Warning Signs for Serial Killers. Two of the warning signs resonate with Holmes: intelligence and controlling behavior. He is known as one of the brightest boys in school (Snavely 4). He is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s medical school which is no easy feat. With his high IQ, Holmes can manipulate others. This is how he tricked many of his victims to trust him. His intellect proved successful in business too. He came to own many businesses around Chicago. In fact, he purchased his famous drugstore by manipulating a grieving widow (Larson 37). Despite the charm of Holmes, he has controlling tendencies. This side of him is often hidden under the surface until someone is under his spell. The entranced victims would do anything for him. He had total control over their lives. Often, he would have the women take out life insurance policies with him as the beneficiary (Larson). This constant need for power may be fighting his sense of insecurities. He had no control over the abuse he received; so, now, he could be trying to control everything. This is how he finds