What Makes A Serial Killer? A Study Conducted By The University Of Glasgow Sought To Settle The Nature Vs. Nurture Debate
The debate over “nature versus nurture” has existed since the sixteenth century. Are people genetically predisposed to behaving a certain way, or are our environments– such as life events– responsible for molding us?
This age-old question has been debated everywhere, from college classrooms to psychologists’ offices.
But, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Glasgow sought to specifically probe this debate among criminals. More specifically, serial killers and mass murderers.
The study was the first of its kind to analyze all available records– including legal files, news reports, books, and journals– about this criminal niche and attempt to conclude why both serial killers and mass murderers commit such heinous acts.
The researchers specifically studied the various psychosocial and neurodevelopmental risk factors among two hundred and thirty-nine killers.
And the team found that the criminals’ tendencies to resort to such extreme forms of violence were the product of a complex interaction of sociological, psychological, and biological factors. In other words, both nature and nurture.
However, the team also uncovered two specific commonalities among the killers.
“Potentially, a significant proportion of mass or serial killers may have had neurodevelopment disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or head injury,” the report reads.
Of the killers analyzed in the study, twenty-eight percent were deemed to have had either “definite, highly probable or possible” ASD. Additionally, about twenty-one percent suffered from a suspected or definite head injury.
motortion – illustrative purpose only, not the actual person
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And interestingly, fifty-five percent of the killers who had either ASD, a head injury, or both also suffered from psychosocial stressors. These included traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse, divorce, and the death of a loved one.
In turn, Dr. Clare Alley– the study’s lead author– described how the “nature versus nurture” debate is a moot point.
“The report identified that a complex interplay between neurodevelopmental problems and psychosocial factors are most likely to lead to incidences of this kind,” Dr. Alley said.
Additionally, the researchers suggested that “a clearer understanding of the antecedents of these events may help elucidate the mechanisms of extreme violence, potentially leading to preventative strategies.”
However, it is essential to clarify that the study does not suggest that any people who have these disorders are killers or will become killers.
“It is crucial to note that we are not trying to suggest that individuals with ASD or previous head trauma are more likely to be serial killers or commit a serious crime,” Dr. Alley underscored.
“Rather, we are suggesting that there may be a subgroup of individuals within these groups who may be more likely to commit serious crimes when exposed to certain psychosocial stressors.”
Finally, the study also suggested that numerous infamous serial killers and mass murderers have had ASD, suffered head trauma, or both– alongside triggering psychosocial stressors.
Most notably, Jeffrey Dahmer– who murdered and dismembered seventeen men and boys over thirteen years– was found to have experienced a plethora of psychosocial stressors during his childhood.
He hailed from a dysfunctional family and underwent a traumatic surgery as toddler. And even though he was never clinically assessed or diagnosed with ASD, the researchers claim there is “overwhelming evidence” he displayed indicative traits.
Fred West, another serial killer who murdered at least twelve people from 1960 to 1980, also sustained a significant head injury– a skull fracture– after getting into a motorcycle accident at seventeen years old.
Then, two years later, he was also pushed off of a fire escape and fell two stories. This accident caused further head injuries.
To read the study’s complete findings, which were published in Agression and Violent Behavior, visit the link here.
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