Serial Killer Social Construction Theories a Serial

Serial Killer Social Construction Theories

A serial killer can be defined as a person who kills more than four victims in a moderately short period of time usually 72 hours (Larson, 2011). Serial killings usually take place in different locations and have no connection with the preceding assassination. For a serial killer, substantial gain is not the drive for killing his victim. Instead, it is his craving of power and strength over the 'prey' that motivates him to take an innocent life (Giannangelo, 1996).

There are a number of theories that have been propounded in order to understand the origins, foundations and causes of the social construction of a serial killer. The first theory that needs to be discussed is the Social Process Theory. The childhood experiences of a serial murderer contribute significantly in his making into an atrocious 'animal'. The personality of a serial murderer is seriously affected by the early experiences of childhood. These experiences have a permanent, long-lasting impression on the individuality and behavior of a person. Children who tolerate and observe family violence are expected to reveal the same characteristics and behavior when they grow up. It is not necessary to be the victim of violence to become such a personality in the future. The viewing of family violence during childhood can also be a reason to develop a mentally-ill personality. Continuous denunciation in childhood by parents can be said as another reason why the future activities of a child reveal immoral and illicit mental condition (Larson, 2011). This theory can be justified by glancing over the life of Albert DeSalvo, a serial murderer of 13 women. He had an adverse childhood in which he watched his mother cruelly beaten by his father. He eye witnessed murders in his vicinity. Not only this, he was bought as a slave. The story of another serial killer named Henry Lee Lucas further justifies the Social Process Theory. This man had an ill-fated childhood in which he was raised as a girl. He experienced ruthless physical abuse as a routine. Such childhood experiences destroy the self-esteem and self-respect of a child and catalyze the development of a socially diminished individual in the form of a serial killer (Giannangelo, 1996).

Another theory known as Social Structure Theory relates the development of a serial killer with his socioeconomic position. Such a person tries to achieve success through 'out of the ordinary' ways. Poverty is the basic factor that encourages people to commit crimes. Serial killers are frustrated because of their social and financial standing in the society. They murder people of the community of which they wish to be a member. In this way, they take vengeance by killing people who seem to reject them with their conduct, belongings or positions from entering in their class. They justify these murders as a mutiny against the societal classification (Egger et al., 1990).

Yet another theory known as the Social Control Theory explains that deviant criminal acts can be prevented by inculcating a sense of belonging to the social order, family and culture in people. In this regard, four 'social-bonding' rudiments were introduced. These bonds of connection, conviction, contribution and commitment can help any person to either build up or abate his association with the community. However, these bonding elements were not found when the personalities of serial killers were observed and studied. Thus, it was concluded that children who are neglected by their parents tend to develop deviant behaviors. Children who are guided and controlled by their parents are less likely to engage in criminal activities when they grow up (Larson, 2011). Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer are such examples of serial murderers who were rejected by their parents in their childhood and were adopted by other families in the early stages of their lives. They were reported to have detrimental relationships with their parents. According to the Social Control Theory, the unstable and negative association with the parents and family members was one of the basic causes why both of them grew up to be serial killers (Giannangelo, 1996).

The Neutralization Theory assesses serial killers as dual personalities who behave both normally and illicitly. They have their own unique thoughts and opinions regarding killing. This theory describes a serial murderer as a person who uses neutralization i.e. drifting from one opinion to the other, for his immoral behavior. Such murderers regard the killing of an acquaintance totally acceptable. They use this theory to justify their unlawful actions on the basis of their personal interpretations (Larson, 2011).

The Labeling Theory was propounded by Erving Goffman who explained that a person who has a psychiatric record or has been a prisoner in lockups is labeled as a deviant for the rest of his life. The label tagged on the offender by the society drives him to be engaged in more criminal and illegitimate acts. The negativities and disapprovals of the society inject a hatred and aggression in the offender. However, this theory cannot be applied to all the serial killers as most of them have been affected by their experiences of early childhood. Labeling harms the psychological condition of an offender and develops an anxiety and stress in his personality. In order to take vengeance from the society, they kill people and seek satisfaction in their accomplishments. Labeling Theory is basically a theory that describes the creation process of the murderer and not the origin of his personality disorder (Larson, 2011).

Other factors also contribute in the birth and construction of a serial murderer. Violent fantasy is one of those aspects that encourage a serial killer to take innocent lives. A serial killer fantasizes to such an extent that he loses the pathways of the boundaries between reality and daydreaming. Their desire and craving for power, domination and sadism lead them ultimately to murder. A pivotal role is played by these fantasies when they kill someone. They seem to act out their fantasies while they kill somebody. They satisfy their desire of dominance over their victims and seem to be lost in their inner paranormal world while murdering. They kill repeatedly to experience the thrills and ecstasies of fantasies which they are unable to experience in reality (Knight, 2006). John Joubert, Nance, Berkowitz and Dodd are the best examples of serial killers who governed and lived their lives in the world of fantasy (Giannangelo, 1996).