Midterm #2 Flashcards
Explanations & Theories
we are not always able to explain our own motivations because theories don’t provide a singular explanation, they are useful in understanding violent offenders. theoretical framework may explain factors in childhood, family issues/neglect, psychological issues, abuse, violence, effects of prior incarceration, humiliation, sexual deviance (helps us shape and understand factors of serial killer) Assumed all serial killers have the same childhood of abuse but they don’t.
Trauma Control Model (Hickey)
- Pre-disposition also factors exist (head injury in childhood can be a factor in development violent offender)
- these traumatic events combined with pre-dispositional factors produce how self-esteem and increasingly violent fantasies (create homicidal behavior)
- low self-esteem and violent fantasies can lead to murder
- Murder may be able to suppress experiences of trauma and also disassociate themselves from their crimes (commit murdered in an alternate mindset)
Social Structure theory
Focus on Socioeconomic standing. people commit crimes more frequently because they’re held down and achieving social or economic success. Also commit crimes that are involved in social structure theory include ones racial, ethnic or subcultural standing. There are some serial killers who kill for monetary gain but the financial reward of their murder is a secondary compared to the exhilaration of murdering another human being
Murder/crime rates tend to be the highest in the most densely populated areas. (More people more problems)
Social Class Theory
Research has concluded that victims of male serial killers were based on social class whereas the victims of females were based on gender. Killer’s understood social status of the victims becomes the driving force fro the murder. The serial killer sees individuals in a higher social standing as those who must be ‘taught a lesson’. ‘Transfer of power’ (when a serial killer murder someone’s they deem is of a higher social class they view this as a transfer of power from the victim to the offender). Elliot Leyton studied Ted Bundy who struggled with his upbringing and socioeconomic status Bundy’s ambition transformed into rage against those who were enjoying the lifestyle that he dreamed of.
Neutralization Theory
Blame deflection. the shift between convention behavior and criminality. place blame elsewhere and talk as if they are the true victim and have no regard for the life and lives and attempt to lesson it.
5 key techniques of neutralization that criminals execute
1. Denial of injury
2. Denial of responsibility (offender recognizes their behavior is deviant or criminal perpetrated by outside force - influenced to act this way)
3. Denial of the victim (know they commit deviant act, but the victim deserved it - had it coming - revenge)
4. Condemnation of the condemned
5. Appeal to higher loyalties
Social Control Theory
We have the ability to control our impulses and desires from engaging in immoral behavior and participating in illegal activities
4 elements of social class bond that apply to all classes
1. Attachment (peers, school, family)
2. Commitment (personal property, goals, education, reputation)
3. Involvement (involvement in conventional behaviors will eliminated time to participate in criminal behavior)
4. Belief (if one shares a common belief that their peers/community the greater likelihood of conformity to societal expectations
Labeling Theory
way in which an individual interprets the effects of the application of labels on them. Some labels negatively impact the lives of some, while others are far less consequential. Labelling an adolescent “delinquent”, “dumb”, “crazed” and so on can have a negative effect on their general self-image and esteem. Once the label is placing a negative light is now place on an individual and hard for society to look at them differently after
Primary Deviance: This is the first step in labeling. Labels are applied
to someone based on unwanted or unpleasant behavior.
Secondary Deviance: Due to this label combined with society’s perspective on said person, they may react in ways that continue their deviance due to their anger with society
Routine Activities Theory
people are on a specific behavioral routine which places them in a position of a being a victim target. includes without a capable guardian in the path of motivated offender which rises the likelihood crime occurring. activities of life that give us opportunity, happiness and independence may also increase the opportunity for predatory attack. automobiles: people use cars in society, but cars also assist serial offenders
The authors refer to the automobile for the increasing opportunity for predatory violent crimes, but with that, the automobile increases the opportunity for college enrolment, female labor force participation, urbanization, suburbanization, and vacations.
Parental Abuse, Neglect & Violence
absence of a parent or rejection by parents can have consequential psychological effects upon children which can continue into their adult lives. Freud says this often shows key signs of aggression. if there is no parent-child bond can result in traumatization. Affection is crucial in all developmental of a child. If there is none it can be troublesome as well as if they are neglected and deprived of these elements can lead to murder of the parent.
Rationalizing Violence Behavior
We learn how to rationalize and control our actions and reactions. Athens (1997) developed 4 main rationalizations that are used by violent criminals
1. Defensive Interpretation – The offender is convinced that the victim is going to attack or has begun to attack. These interpretations are usually misguided.
- Frustrative Interpretation – Offenders claim that the victim was not compliant with their instructions or demands. The victim is resisting and not going along with an action, violence then ensues.
- Malefic Interpretation – Murderer interprets what the victim was saying as an attempt to disrespect them. The appropriate way to restore order is by murdering them; murdering them then re-establishes his/her sense of self
- Frustrative-Malefic (evil) Interpretation – This is a blending of categories 2 and 3. The victim becomes unbearable to the murderer and is seen as a direct adversary.
Athens also argues that there are three types of self-image which may be
operating in different offenders
- Violent self-image
- Incipient violent self-image – those who are at the beginning stages of developing and are willing to have a disposition to use violence as opposed to one who is naturally disposed to violence.
- Individuals with a non-violent image
There have been interviews conducted with many individuals who have committed violent crimes, Athens discovered that those who did not have a violent self-image interpreted their actions in the form of self-defense. Those offenders who were violent interpreted their crimes within each of the previous 4 components that Athens(1997) developed.
Feminist Approaches
women are the most common victim of a serial killer because of this we can better understand the actions of serial killers. Jane Caputi discusses the power imbalance between genders in society. to her serial murder is rooted in exerting a position of power and dominance over the victim through a sexual nature in relation to the murder. When media publicizes serial murder, it also reinforces the trend of victimization of women. (NO women is safe)
Theories and explanations
guide us to an understanding of the serial killer and researchers can determine influences, motives, method of murder, behavior prior and following the murders. can develop deep analysis to assist building typologies without one size fits all approach
Sexually Sadistic Serial Killer
In conclusion, 95% were white offenders and most were of middle-class origins. They repeatedly committed murders that were carefully planned. Murder traits were consistent as was a persistent arousal in response to the victim’s pain, fear and panic. * Strangulation and stabbing were main two methods of murder. For some, the most sexually exhilarating aspect of the crime is having the ability to control life and death of the victim. Careful Planners. performed torture methods.
Fantasies
Planning and execution of the murder occurs both in imaginings (fantasy) and in practical preparation. Masturbation during fantasies or while committing the crime; Ideally, they want to achieve climax at the time of the victim’s death. The murders become the fantasy which only further reinforces the desire to commit murders (BTK)
Sexual Paraphilias (Sexual deviation)
- Serial murderers manifest several sexual paraphilias. Paraphilias are almost always a male phenomenon. Paraphilias involve sexual arousal through the use of deviant or atypical activities or images.
