Nature vs Nurture: Serial Killers
Throughout history, people have been horrified yet fascinated with serial killers. But, the huge question is, ¨Are serial killers born or made?¨ Before answering this, I must first establish exactly what a serial killer is. A serial killer is much different than just a murderer. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a serial killer is defined as a person who commits a series of murders, often with no apparent motive and following a characteristic, predictable behavior pattern. Although some might say that these monsters are born, I believe they are a product their nurturing.
The first reason that suggests they are made is the top reasons for the killings. The top reasons for serial killing are abuse and brain damage. (Brogaard, 2012) One cannot be born with abuse. These are aspects of nurture. Some of the most famous serial killers, such as Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy, and Ted Bundy were all abused as a child. (Klein) According to Infogram (n.d.) , half of all serial killers were mentally abused. 26 percent suffered sexual abuse. 68 percent were maltreated. 18 percent were neglected. 36 percent were physically abused. These all support the fact that they kill because of their nurture, not their nature. …show more content…
James Fallon was a neuroscientist who decided to scan his brain and compare it to those of serial killers. After analyzing his brain, he discovered he had the same brain as a serial killer, even though he was a normal guy who had not even the slightest hint of evil. He was never abused nor did he suffer brain damage as a child. (Fallon, 2014) This means that even though he, biologically, had the brain of a serial killer, he was raised correctly, resulting in him being a normal person. This piece of evidence also helps to disprove the nature
Throughout history, people have been horrified yet fascinated with serial killers. But, the huge question is, ¨Are serial killers born or made?¨ Before answering this, I must first establish exactly what a serial killer is. A serial killer is much different than just a murderer. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a serial killer is defined as a person who commits a series of murders, often with no apparent motive and following a characteristic, predictable behavior pattern. Although some might say that these monsters are born, I believe they are a product their nurturing.
The first reason that suggests they are made is the top reasons for the killings. The top reasons for serial killing are abuse and brain damage. (Brogaard, 2012) One cannot be born with abuse. These are aspects of nurture. Some of the most famous serial killers, such as Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy, and Ted Bundy were all abused as a child. (Klein) According to Infogram (n.d.) , half of all serial killers were mentally abused. 26 percent suffered sexual abuse. 68 percent were maltreated. 18 percent were neglected. 36 percent were physically abused. These all support the fact that they kill because of their nurture, not their nature. …show more content…
James Fallon was a neuroscientist who decided to scan his brain and compare it to those of serial killers. After analyzing his brain, he discovered he had the same brain as a serial killer, even though he was a normal guy who had not even the slightest hint of evil. He was never abused nor did he suffer brain damage as a child. (Fallon, 2014) This means that even though he, biologically, had the brain of a serial killer, he was raised correctly, resulting in him being a normal person. This piece of evidence also helps to disprove the nature