WK3 Assignment: Criminal Theories—Serial And Mass Murder

Assignment: Criminal Theories—Serial and Mass Murder

Many theories try to explain why some people become serial or mass murderers. However, these theories vary tremendously in terms of the proposed factors that lead to the development of serial and mass murderers. Some theories, for example, emphasize the role of social factors, such as the family. Other theories highlight the importance of psychological factors, such as personality traits, and still other theories focus on the role of biological factors, such as neurological functioning. In isolation, none of these theories provides a definitive explanation for why some people develop into serial or mass murderers. Integrating knowledge from each theory provides for a well-rounded explanation of serial and mass murderers.

 

Theoretical perspectives not only provide some insight into the causes for the development of serial and mass murderers but also assist criminal profilers in creating a psychological profile of a serial or mass murderer. For instance, suppose a criminal profiler realizes that a serial murderer’s crime scene reveals evidence consistent with the attachment theory. Based on this theory, the criminal profiler would likely point out that the serial murderer had a dysfunctional childhood that was marked with emotional abuse, physical abuse, or both by the parents. Theories of serial and mass murderers therefore allow criminal profilers to predict the characteristics not revealed at the crime scene.

 

To prepare for this assignment:

 

Review Chapter 4 of your course text, Profiling Violent Crimes: An Investigative Tool. Reflect on the theories of serial and mass murderers and consider how they are similar. In addition, consider how the theories are different from each other, such as whether they focus on factors identifiable at birth, related to personality development, or found in the environment.

Review the book excerpt, “The Making of a Serial Killer.” Consider the various factors identified as potential causes of serial and mass murderers.

Review the article “Serial Murder and the Case of Aileen Wuornos: Attachment Theory, Psychopathy, and Predatory Aggression.” Focus on how attachment theory is different from the other theories, such as psychoanalytic theory and constitutional theories, discussed in Chapter 4 of Profiling Violent Crimes: An Investigative Tool. In addition, consider how theories such as attachment theory may be better suited than other theories to explain female serial murderers.

Read Psychology Today’s “Is It Possible to Predict Violent Behavior”

Select three criminal theories to compare (one psychological, one constitutional/biological, and one social/ecological).

Consider the similarities and differences between and among these theories in terms of how they account for violent behaviors of serial and mass murderers and how they might be used in profiling and criminal investigation.

The assignment (2-3 pages):

 

Identify the theories you selected.

Compare (similarities and differences) the criminal theories you selected in terms of how they account for violent behaviors of serial and mass murderers and how they might be used in profiling and criminal investigation.

Explain at least one insight you gained or a conclusion you drew about using criminal theories in profiling and criminal investigation.

Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.