The garbage bag of assorted human body parts is an often repeated scene on "Dexter". This popular television program is an example of a popular genre of fiction, movies, television, and true-crime books that purport to take us into the mind of a serial killer. Writers and producers have revealed the inner mental workings of the multiple murderer. Students in my composition classes ask if they can write about this topic for a research essay. It's a topic that seems to fascinate most of us.
Many believe that a killer can be spotted because serial killers come from poor homes, and look and speak like criminals. No. Ted Bundy was a college student. He was very articulate and personable. He often used a smile and a pair of crutches, or other ways of looking unthreatening, to attract a victim.
Another take on the killer is that he or she (more on that later) has a fixed method: knife, or ligature, or Son of Sam's .44 caliber revolver. They may have a preferred method, but it is not cast in stone.
A third common belief is that the serial killer is a braggart, like the Zodiac killer who must taunt the public and the police. Much more often this is not the case, and when it does happen, often leads to the killer's capture.
A last view is that he serial killer is fearless: that they feel no emotion, and will carry on regardless of danger of discovery. Also a myth. The killer does not wish to be caught and will abandon plans if a potential victim is not alone when expected to be, or has a phone out and is talking to someone, or other unexpected circumstance arises.
What can science do to help us understand the fascinating yet abhorrent subject of multiple murderers? Jim Fallon, a neuroscientist at University of California, Irvine has had the chance to examine the brains of many serial killers. He has used PET scans and EEGs as well as genetic testing and has some interesting discoveries. There is a sex-linked gene, MAOA, that is present in all killers studied. Because it is sex-linked, women are less likely to receive this gene, and therefore are less likely to be multiple murderers.
But that's not the only factor. In all cases studied, prior to adolescence, there was at least one serious traumatic event involving the child in a truly violent experience. Often more than one such event took place in the child's early life. So both Nature and Nurture are contributors. Neither alone seems sufficient, but together they are a double whammy.
Jim Fallon has a super TED talk on this topic--short, interesting, and revealing of some of the skeletons in his own family closet. You can find it free, along with teaching guide, and student resource information at: TED Talks Psychology.
Are you interested in what makes people tick? I believe most of us are says Ralph Baber, the author of this article. Teachers, students and those keen to know more about human behavior can explore why we behave as we do at http://tedtalkspsychology.com/.
Here you will find curated talks, starter ideas, and discussion questions. I invite you to click on the website to hear what experts have to say in short, interesting and humorous talks.
The Black Cat Goes to the Movies (Serial Killers) by Jolly Salmon
www.dailymotion.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8397501
Many believe that a killer can be spotted because serial killers come from poor homes, and look and speak like criminals. No. Ted Bundy was a college student. He was very articulate and personable. He often used a smile and a pair of crutches, or other ways of looking unthreatening, to attract a victim.
Another take on the killer is that he or she (more on that later) has a fixed method: knife, or ligature, or Son of Sam's .44 caliber revolver. They may have a preferred method, but it is not cast in stone.
A third common belief is that the serial killer is a braggart, like the Zodiac killer who must taunt the public and the police. Much more often this is not the case, and when it does happen, often leads to the killer's capture.
A last view is that he serial killer is fearless: that they feel no emotion, and will carry on regardless of danger of discovery. Also a myth. The killer does not wish to be caught and will abandon plans if a potential victim is not alone when expected to be, or has a phone out and is talking to someone, or other unexpected circumstance arises.
What can science do to help us understand the fascinating yet abhorrent subject of multiple murderers? Jim Fallon, a neuroscientist at University of California, Irvine has had the chance to examine the brains of many serial killers. He has used PET scans and EEGs as well as genetic testing and has some interesting discoveries. There is a sex-linked gene, MAOA, that is present in all killers studied. Because it is sex-linked, women are less likely to receive this gene, and therefore are less likely to be multiple murderers.
But that's not the only factor. In all cases studied, prior to adolescence, there was at least one serious traumatic event involving the child in a truly violent experience. Often more than one such event took place in the child's early life. So both Nature and Nurture are contributors. Neither alone seems sufficient, but together they are a double whammy.
Jim Fallon has a super TED talk on this topic--short, interesting, and revealing of some of the skeletons in his own family closet. You can find it free, along with teaching guide, and student resource information at: TED Talks Psychology.
Are you interested in what makes people tick? I believe most of us are says Ralph Baber, the author of this article. Teachers, students and those keen to know more about human behavior can explore why we behave as we do at http://tedtalkspsychology.com/.
Here you will find curated talks, starter ideas, and discussion questions. I invite you to click on the website to hear what experts have to say in short, interesting and humorous talks.
The Black Cat Goes to the Movies (Serial Killers) by Jolly Salmon
www.dailymotion.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8397501
