Nature Vs Nurture: Serial Killers Research

Are hedonistic serial killers born with tendencies to kill?

How is it possible that two men could witness death during their childhood, yet one turned out to be 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. Hedonistic serial killers are driven by their need for sexual gratification or financial gain. For this type 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. The fear other people experience when they hear the murders they committed, reinforces a serial killer’s lust for power and control (1). 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? Some would say it is their genetic make-up and 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 childhood interactions. 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 (2). Jim Fallon clarifies 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 about 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. They 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. Some serial killers’ genetic predisposition may play a large role in their development, while life circumstances may be more critical for others (3).

Are serial killers born with sadistic tendencies?

Professor Jari Tiihonen, Department of Clinical Neurobiology, 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 his 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. They found that MAOA-L contributed to low dopamine levels and CDH13 coded for neuronal membrane proteins, which overall contribute to sadistic acts. However, they found that the MAOA-L gene has no impact on less violent crime. They 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” (4). Those in possession of both versions of the gene are thirteen times more probable to commit sadistic crimes, compared to those that don’t have any versions of these genes. However, Tiihonen did also mention that adding alcohol andor drugs to an individual who possesses these genes, presents the “perfect recipe” to make a serial killer (2). A study by Han Brunner et al. (1993) discovered that people with the low activity form of MAOA produce a reduced amount of enzyme. This low-activity version 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 (5). The MAOA gene is also thought to affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Despite this, Brunner 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. This indicates that an association of genetics and the environment work together to determine the hostility within a human. MAOA-L is mainly expressed in men as it is sex-linked and exists on the X chromosome, though it is only present in roughly 13 of men in Western populations. Consequently, hostility in women and the other 23 men from Western populations cannot be accounted for, meaning that there must be some other justification for hostility (6). Research into this gene is ongoing and the fact that it has been proven to promote violence supports the hypothesis that serial killers are born not made. Research into this gene can help future scientists to come up with suggestions for ways to reduce the impact the gene can have on an individual and their adult personality.

Dr. Richard Davidson had organized brain scans for people who were more likely to act aggressively 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 people. The brain scans revealed a correlation between the orbitofrontal cortex and the amygdala, which has been found to regulate responses to fears and focus on the “fight or flight” response. They had learned that the amygdala remained at the same level as the normal individuals but for some, the level of activity increased, and the orbitofrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex had reduced, or it was no longer present (7). Jeffrey Dahmer was assessed just before his trial and it was discovered that he had 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 they seem to exaggerate the responsibility that borderline personality disorder plays among serial killers. Most serial killers are organized in the way they enter and leave the crime scene which contradicts the common traits of a person diagnosed with this disorder e.g., impulsivity (8). Dr. Helen Morrison has done intense research into the brains of 135 serial killers. She found a specific chromosome that is noticeable during puberty, which acted as a trigger for abnormal behavior. Once she had taken brain scans on the serial killers, she discovered that this chromosome had led them to develop the belief that they didn’t belong in the world. As a result, serial killers have a lack of empathy for others, especially their victims. 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. MAOA (the “warrior gene”) is related to too much serotonin and this results in your brain becoming insensitive to it, impacting how the individual will behave in the future. Fallon indicates that the only way the MAOA gene could release excess serotonin is if the individual witnessed or was involved in a traumatic event. He suggested that the gene when combined with seeing a lot of violence is a “recipe for disaster” (9).

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Dr Adrian Raine, author of the “Anatomy of Violence”, and criminologist, researched 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 (9). 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 (10). 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.

Are hedonistic serial killers made?

It was learned that serial killers experience similar emotional developmental difficulties. An individual’s connection with their mother is essential for the proper development of their temperament. A serial killer’s personality advances into the belief of self-importance and they become selfish. This is apparent as serial killers lack repentance, compassion, and affection toward others. One of the key elements that a selection of serial killers have in common, is that they 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 the way they do. 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 mother and when unsuccessful, the males will be enraged. Feminists argue that the blame that is placed on the mother for the making of serial killers is just another way for men to blame women for their downfalls. This is empirically supported to an extent however, 66% of serial murderers were raised by their mother who was also their dominant parent figure. It has also been noted that during 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 (11). 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.

Guy (2015) assessed trauma experienced during a person’s youth concerning criminal inclinations among prison inmates. He examined 200 prison inmates and data was accumulated through interviews and the use of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Dissociative Experiences Scale. It was found that psychiatric disease and previous suicide attempts were more common in females compared to males. However, 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 on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. A 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 imprisoned males and females that committed violent acts (12). An experiment looking into the occurrence of abuse experienced during an individual’s adolescence was conducted by Mitchell and Aamodt (2005). The study involved hedonistic killers who were born in the United States and overall, 50 serial murderers were assessed for the investigation. 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 the occurrence of emotional abuse in the general population of the United States which was a mere 2%; a 48% difference. In conclusion, child abuse occurs more frequently in serial murderers compared to the U.S. population. Some serial killers may not have informed anyone about the mistreatment they experienced or wanted to admit that they had been abused which may mean the findings are not an accurate representation. But considering this idea, the common occurrence of childhood abuse may be a supporting component to the creation of a serial killer but because not all serial killers were mistreated it may just be one of many factors that contribute to their making.