Serial Killers: Are they born or are they made? It seems to be a question to ignite a debate and has so for decades. The nature vs nurture debate has been regarded as the most essential argument in psychology. Regarding serial killers, it may be the most important. A number of things can play into a person becoming what they end up being or doing. Whether it is their hormones or genetics; or their background, it has an effect on a person’s outcome. Parents can determine the life their child will lead without realizing it. Parents are the people who mold their children from the time they are born. Children look up to their parents because they want to be like them. The majority of serial killers had an awful upbringing as children, who is responsible
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Many studies have shown that child abuse is more common with serial killers than in society as a whole in general. Dr. Helen Morrison has interviewed over 135 serial killers and all have similarities. These similarities are a chromosome abnormality that is their trigger to kill. Studies show that serial killers never develop a sense of attachment and belonging to the world. The lack of development, serial killers do not emphasize with their victims. (Infogr.am, 2017). Dr. James Fallon is a neuroscientist who wanted to know how a serial killer’s brain differed from a normal person’s brain. He even scanned his own brain to tell the difference. The thing is-he had the same low orbital activity as a serial killer did. (Fallon, 2014). The orbital cortex is the area that is believed to be involved with ethical behavior, moral decision making and impulse control. The orbital context helps control the amygdala part of the brain, involved with aggression and appetites. Fallon’s research indicates that some people’s brains are drawn to violence. Psychopathic tendencies may be passed from one generation to …show more content…
Mitchell & Aamodlt (2005). Conducted research on serial killer’s motivation for murder. To make comparisons between abuse levels of serial killers and normative abuse levels, only on lust killers who were born and educated in the United States. 77 offenders were generated, valid childhood information pertaining to childhood experiences could only be found for 50. Information for each serial killer was obtained through many resources, including books listed in a bibliography for serial killers. (Aamodlt & Moyse, 2003), the internet, newspaper articles, and personal communication. Each person involved in the study, there had to be at least three credible sources of information. Forty-eight books were used along with psychological
Many studies have shown that child abuse is more common with serial killers than in society as a whole in general. Dr. Helen Morrison has interviewed over 135 serial killers and all have similarities. These similarities are a chromosome abnormality that is their trigger to kill. Studies show that serial killers never develop a sense of attachment and belonging to the world. The lack of development, serial killers do not emphasize with their victims. (Infogr.am, 2017). Dr. James Fallon is a neuroscientist who wanted to know how a serial killer’s brain differed from a normal person’s brain. He even scanned his own brain to tell the difference. The thing is-he had the same low orbital activity as a serial killer did. (Fallon, 2014). The orbital cortex is the area that is believed to be involved with ethical behavior, moral decision making and impulse control. The orbital context helps control the amygdala part of the brain, involved with aggression and appetites. Fallon’s research indicates that some people’s brains are drawn to violence. Psychopathic tendencies may be passed from one generation to …show more content…
Mitchell & Aamodlt (2005). Conducted research on serial killer’s motivation for murder. To make comparisons between abuse levels of serial killers and normative abuse levels, only on lust killers who were born and educated in the United States. 77 offenders were generated, valid childhood information pertaining to childhood experiences could only be found for 50. Information for each serial killer was obtained through many resources, including books listed in a bibliography for serial killers. (Aamodlt & Moyse, 2003), the internet, newspaper articles, and personal communication. Each person involved in the study, there had to be at least three credible sources of information. Forty-eight books were used along with psychological