Serial Killers

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the definition and psychology behind serial killers. It compares serial killers to other types of murderers and criminals and discusses the general profile that serial killers tend to follow as well as the types of victims that serial killers tend to choose. The paper then discusses the psychological and sociological factors that motivate serial killers.

Table of Contents:
Opening Statement: Introduction
First Fact: Serial Killers Tend To Follow A General Profile
Second Fact: Serial Killers Choose Strangers As Their Victims
Third Fact: A Serial Killer Is Motivated By Both Psychological And Sociological Factors

From the Paper:

"This would suggest that there are other factors at play in the development of the killer, such as social influences and experiences. For example, one of the main features of this type of criminal is that the serial killer is an individual who does not conform to the common social norms and values in society. This in turn can be related to psychological aspects such as lack of restraint and internal control. Researchers such as Egger state that in most cases the serial killer is not mentally ill in any accepted medical sense but rather that they are sick in a different sense."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder. September 20, 2008. <http://www.karisable.com/crserial.htm>
• Creekmore B. A psychological look into serial killers. September 20, 2008. <http://www.helium.com/items/203554-a-psychological-look-into-serial-killers>
• Egger, Steven A., et al. Serial Murder: An Elusive Phenomenon. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1990.
• Freeman S. How Serial Killers Work. September 20, 2008. <http://people.howstuffworks.com/serial-killer.htm>
• Homosexual Serial Killers. September 20, 2008. <http://www.adherents.com/misc/hsk.html>

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