Argumentative Essay: Hedonistic Serial Killers Born with Tendencies to Kill – Free Essay Example

How is it possible that two men could witness a murder during their childhood, yet one became a famous writer and the other became a serial killer? A serial killer is an individual that kills a minimum of three people in separate events over a certain period, typically with a break in between. Hedonistic serial killers are driven by their need for sexual gratification or financial gain. For this kind of serial killer, murder is a form of expression rather than violence; they express their demand for dominance and authority. These serial killers often crave the publicity and fame received for their crimes and they desire to make the top news headlines. Fear reinforces a serial killer`s desire for power and control (1). A typical characteristic of a serial killer is the belief in self-importance and egotism. This is apparent as serial killers lack repentance, compassion, and affection toward others. Jeffrey Dahmer, Ottis Toole, and John Wayne Gacy are examples of notorious serial killers that fantasized extensively about murder. What made these men commit vile and sickening acts? One might say it is their genetic makeup, whereas others would say the environment is the main influencer- the nature and nurture argument. Nature alludes to the idea that the combination of inherited genes and hereditary aspects determine the makeup of an individual: nature aspects are unavoidable and predetermined. Whereas nurture suggests we are influenced by environmental aspects including childhood events, upbringing, and interactions. In many serial murderer situations, the father had left before the child was 12 and in the cases where the father remained, he was abusive and intimidating. Serial killers often have feelings of incompetence and insignificance causing many of them to commit crimes to compensate for the feelings of animosity and resentment- their crimes are an act of social vengeance (2). Several studies have looked into two genes that supposedly make people more prone to violence. These genes are the monoamine-oxidase-A (MAOA) gene, commonly known as the warrior gene and the Cadherin 13 (CDH13) gene. The MAOA gene is responsible for over-exposing people to serotonin and CDH13 is responsible for the development of connections between neurons in the brain, playing a key role in the development of ADHD (3). Jim Fallon suggests that the key deciding element to determining a serial killer is exposure to extreme cruelty during adolescence. Fallon explains that the only way the MAOA variant gene can be expressed is if a young child has observed or been involved in a stressful and harrowing event. Sasha Reid has analyzed roughly 70 serial killers and found that many serial killers survived horrific abuse, leading to their belief that the world is full of mistreatment. Serial killers often misinterpret gentle social signals as threats and accuse others of their problems. These specific individuals feel as though they aren`t understood and as a result, they isolate themselves. Serial killers feel as though the world is full of hatred, and as a consequence, they create their own worlds where they have the ultimate control and authority. For some serial killers genetic predisposition may play a large role in their development, while life circumstances may be more critical for others (4). However, which factor has the most influential impact on an individual? Firstly, the nature side of the argument will be explored.

Are serial killers born with sadistic tendencies?

A key study by Professor Jari Tiihonen, Department of Clinical Neurobiology, led people to believe that serial killers are born. Tiihonen analyzed the genetic material of 895 Finnish criminals in 2015 and learned that the majority of them carried the genes MAOA and CDH13. Professor Tiihonen and the team at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden looked into these genes and discovered that monoamine oxidase A low-activity gene (MAOA-L) combined with the CDH13 gene are correlated with exceedingly aggressive behavior. It was found that MAOA-L contributed to low dopamine levels and CDH13 coded for neuronal membrane proteins. When these genes are combined, they contribute to sadistic acts. However, it was also discovered that the MAOA-L gene has no impact on less violent crime. It is believed that less violent acts are more likely to be caused by social aspects. Tiihonen`s final report concluded that roughly 5-10% of all brutal misdemeanor in Finland is attributable to the MAOA and CDH13 genes (5). Those in possession of both versions of the gene are thirteen times more probable to commit sadistic crimes, compared to those that don`t possess these genes. However, Tiihonen revealed that alcoholism and drug intake present the perfect recipe to make a serial killer when combined with these genes (3). Another study that researched the MAOA gene was conducted by Han Brunner et al. (1993). Brunner discovered that people with the low activity form of MAOA produce a reduced amount of enzyme and the gene has been positively correlated with belligerence. Brunner studied 28 men from a Dutch family who displayed evil behavior such as attempted rape, arson, and impulsive aggression. Brunner had discovered that these men had unusually low levels of MAOA and they behaved violently when enraged, frightened, or irritated (6). The MAOA gene is also thought to affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Despite this, Brunner had suggested that it seems as though the low activity version is only related to hostility when mixed with distressing events that occurred in an individual`s childhood. Indicating that an association of genetics and the environment determines the hostility an individual possesses. MAOA-L is mainly expressed in men as it is sex-linked and exists on the X chromosome, though it was found to be present in only 13 of men in Western populations. Consequently, hostility in women and the other 23 of men from Western populations cannot be accounted for, meaning that there must be some other justification for hostility (7). Jim Fallon had revealed that MAOA (the warrior gene) is related to excess serotonin, which results in your brain becoming insensitive to it, impacting how the individual will behave in the future. Fallon indicated that the only way the MAOA gene could release excess serotonin is if the individual witnessed or were involved in a traumatic event. He suggested that the gene when combined with seeing a lot of violence is a recipe for disaster (8). Research into this gene is ongoing and the idea that the gene has been proven to promote violence supports the hypothesis that serial killers are born not made. However, both Tiihonen and Brunner revealed that the only way the gene could make an individual more prone to hostility is when the gene is combined with a factor from the environment. Another possible reason supporting that serial killer is born is their brain structure.

Dr. Richard Davidson organized brain scans for more belligerent individuals and compared them to a group of normal individuals. A total of 500 brain scans were compared and it was discovered that the brain scans of the violent individuals, who had been convicted of homicide or antisocial behavior, showed distinct brain activity compared to the normal group of people. The brain scans revealed a correlation between the orbitofrontal cortex and the amygdala, which has been found to focus on the fight or flight response and it is the area that gives emotions meaning. The amygdala is the area of the brain where emotions are recalled and attached to associations (9). It was learned that the amygdala of violent individuals remained at the same level as that normal individuals although, for some, the level of activity increased. It was also discovered that the orbitofrontal cortex and the anterior cingulated cortex had reduced, or it was no longer present in the belligerent individuals (10).

Jeffrey Dahmer was assessed before his trial and it was discovered that he had a borderline personality disorder. This disorder may explain why serial killers impulsively murder and torture in a state of frenzy without planning or covering up the homicide. Ansevics and Doweiko conducted a study and however, they seemed to exaggerate the responsibility that borderline personality disorder plays among serial killers. Most serial killers are organized in the way then enter and leave the crime scene which contradicts the common traits a person diagnosed with this disorder exhibits e.g., impulsivity (11). Jim Fallon indicates that different types of killers emerge depending on when the damage to the brain occurred. Of all the murderer and serial killer brains that Fallon looked at, it was apparent that they all had received damage to their orbital cortex and the interior region of the temporal lobe which supports Davidson`s research. Brain damage could be a key factor however, it seems as though the biggest factor is the MAOA gene and most research into the hypothesis are serial killers born has been based on the variant of this gene.

Dr Adrian Raine, the author of the Anatomy of violence, carried out a study that looked into the MAOA gene. Raine conducted a PET scan of 41 convicted killers and compared them to a normal control group. He conducted this research based on the findings that the MAOA enzyme is low in antisocial individuals. His research led to the discovery that males with a common variant in the MAOA gene had an 8% reduction of amygdala volume and it was overactive (12). Raine came up with a hypothesis that suggests that genetic abnormalities result in abnormal brain structures resulting in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral irregularities, in turn resulting in disruptive behavior. However, Raine also suggested that both social and biological factors contribute to a serial killer`s making. The MAOA gene can have different variants and those with MAOA-L (low activity MAOA) are increasingly likely to display more sadistic behavior. However, he discovered that this occurs in conjunction with an abusive upbringing. Jim Clements, a profiler for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had come up with an analogy that referred to a gun. He had said that genetics load the gun, an individual`s personality and psychology aim it. Then finally, the individual`s experiences pull the trigger (13). Raine supports the idea that serial killers are born with these tendencies however, he also suggests that personality and upbringing play a role in the making of a serial killer- nurture also has an impact on a serial killer. There are many factors from the environment that could influence an individual, but which one has the most impact?

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Are hedonistic serial killers made?

Instead of a serial killer being born, could it be that a serial killer is made into the person they become by the environment and upbringing they experience? It was learned that an individual`s connection with their mother is essential for the proper development of their temperament. Many serial killers were given up for adoption at a young age. This could imply that a lack of attention during their most fundamental period of progression, may have caused them to grow up and behave in an egotistical way. Some serial killers experienced bullying from their peers and felt extreme loneliness during their childhood. Sigmund Freud proposes that males want to reach autonomy with their mothers and when unsuccessful, the males will be enraged. A lack of a mother figure means the males cannot reach autonomy which could explain why some serial killers resent women. Feminists argue that the blame that is placed on the mother for the making of serial killers is simply another excuse for males to blame females for their failures. This is empirically validated to an extent nevertheless, 66% of serial murderers were brought up by their mother who was also their dominant parent figure. It has also been noted that during a serial killers early years of progression, there was the absence of a father figure which they would take out on other women in the future as they were disgusted by their mother image (14). There is evidence to support the idea of serial killers lack an authoritative figure which could have led to deviance and a need for control. However, since some serial killers did have the presence of an influential figure, the mother, the theory is also contradicted. An individual`s key stage of development is during their childhood and if this period was traumatizing for the child, they may have developed aggressive tendencies.

Guy (2015) assessed trauma experienced during a person`s youth among prison inmates. Guy examined 200 prison inmates and data was accumulated through the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). It was found that males were younger when they committed their first act of crime, they had higher rates of substance abuse and had previous convictions. It was also discovered that females had an increased number of violent crimes and got overall greater scores in the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. A positive correlation between the CTQ score and the age of their first offense was established. Overall, the findings show a high occurrence of childhood trauma in a group of prisoners that committed violent acts (15). An experiment looking into the occurrence of abuse experienced during an individual`s adolescence was conducted by Mitchell and Aamodt (2005). The study involved the assessment of 50 hedonistic serial killers who were born in the United States. It was discovered that of the 50 serial killers; 68% experienced some type of maltreatment, 36% experienced physical abuse, 26% were sexually abused, 50% were psychologically abused, 18% were neglected, and 32% experienced no abuse. As emotional abuse had the highest occurrence in serial killers (50%) Mitchell and Aamodt correlated this against emotional abuse in the general population of the United States. It was found that only 2% of the U.S population experienced emotional abuse. Considering this idea, the common occurrence of childhood abuse may be a supporting component to the creation of a serial killer. However, since not all serial killers experience abuse during their childhood it may be a small component of their making (16). Abuse experienced at the home correlates with violence and aggression, however, bullying and traumatic events may also create a serial killer.

Many serial murderers were frequently harassed and tormented as adolescents and young adults. Vronsky (2005) found that 71% of murderers suffered a sense of seclusion in their childhood and 77% faced this as young children. It is assumed that social loneliness contributes to the making of a serial killer. This causes them to construct a fantasy world that allows them to enact their murder fantasies. Liz Shilling suggested that the traumatic event during a serial killer`s upbringing contributes to the making of a serial killer. When Ted Bundy was younger, he had learned that the man whom he was told was his father wasn`t his real father. Ted Bundy then made it his life mission to embarrass and humiliate women. Another example is Jeffrey Dahmer, at the age of 8 he was sexually abused by his father. Dahmer eventually did the same to the boys he kidnapped and murdered. John Wayne Gacy was verbally, sexually, and physically abused by his father which he later did to his victims. Therefore, strengthens the theory that serial killers experience a traumatic event and this could be a key attribute that they all share. Shilling also mentions the Macdonald triad which are the three common traits that Macdonald discovered to be in his psychotic patients when he assessed and compared them against some of his non-psychotic patients. The Macdonald triad consists of chronic arson, abusing animals and enuresis (chronic bed-wetting and relates with physical, psychological, and emotional abuse). Chronic fire setting includes feeling immense impulsivity about starting fires and the inability to stop it and animal abuse include feeling impulsive and motivated to harm animals. Jeffrey Dahmer showed examples of all three elements in the triad; Dahmer would abuse cats so he could feel more powerful over another being, he would also set things on fire so he could feel powerful by destroying things, and it has been revealed that Dahmer would wet his bed when he was unusually old, which could be why he started to feel alienated and tormented by his peers and society. This provides support to Macdonald`s theory as there is a notorious serial killer that exhibits all three traits of the triad (17).

Dr. Eric Cullen, a clinical forensic psychologist, considered that one of the main elements that contribute to the creation of a serial murderer is family and social disintegration. Cullen believes that this is because at least half of the marriages in America, end in divorce and many single parents struggle in providing appropriate male role models for their male children. Another key element is sexual abuse by a parental figure. They learn from this experience that it is better to be in power and control of others than to be the one who is being controlled. Sometimes a serial killers may believe the abuse was an expression of love and some believe it to be the only love and affection they experienced as a child. Another key factor is a culture of violence; the media, films, and the internet all present violence which is justified by American traditions. When a young, alienated man grows up witnessing violence, it changes him, and he becomes a far greater risk to others. Nearly half of the serial killers in the U.S population use guns as their weapon of choice. Cullen believes that since there are more guns than people in the U.S, guns aid in fulfilling an individual`s fantasies of violence. Another factor is an addiction to alcohol and drugs. This is because they dull the senses and release aggression (18). Since a vast majority of serial killers go through a traumatic event or abuse during their childhood, it is believed they have a large amount of built-up anger inside, and for some, a way to release the anger is by taking drugs or drinking alcohol; it`s a way for them to escape the world that they believe to be full of hatred and mistreatment. However, could it be that serial killers are just fulfilling a social role that they feel is required of them instead of being shaped by their upbringing?

Many studies have correlated video games that promote brutality to belligerence and even homicidal inclinations. Research has suggested that some serial killers are obsessed with sadistic video games as it allows them to live out their fantasies. An article written by Doug Gentile and colleagues highlighted the relationship between violent video games and general anger toward others. They conducted a study that involved 607 participants from the 8th and 9th grades. It was concluded that those subjected to more vicious games were more intimidating, they would regularly get into disputes with teachers and peers, they had a higher likelihood of participating in physical fights, and they had overall poor school grades. Jeanne Funk and colleagues assessed the effects of brutal video games on empathy levels. They discovered that high exposure to violent games was associated with low empathy levels. Eric Uhlmann and Jane Swanson used a version of the Implicit Association Test and found that even a brief experience playing a violent game can increase the player`s association of self and antagonistic traits (19).