Are serial killers crazy?

**thetribe** · 10-21-2005, 09:37 AM

Most people will say, yes they are because what sane person could do something like this, but support your claim.

Do you think that serial killers are crazy, why or why not?

I am writing a criminal psychology paper on this and would love to hear your opinions to maybe add some into my paper as public opinion.

Thank you.

**CatDawg** · 10-21-2005, 10:31 AM

Both yes and no. You have to have at least something wrong in your head to be a serial killer. However while doing your research you will probably find that many of these killers have a very high IQ.

Red and Black · 10-21-2005, 11:21 AM

I think that the majority of serial killers are so smart it makes them go crazy, like they analyze everything too much which makes them go nuts.

Reizvoll · 10-21-2005, 11:22 AM

CatDawg Wrote:you will probably find that many of these killers have a very high IQ.

I don't see any distinction and I don't know where you got the reference to IQ. I think you can be crazy and have a high IQ at the same time, as crazy isn't really the same thing as 'metally handicapped'. Sure, alot of serial killers are way above average IQ, they probably are, but that still doesn't mean they know the difference between right and wrong or know the limit to what they are doing. Some people can just snap if they are put under enough pressure.

***BlueGrassGirl*** · 10-21-2005, 11:39 AM

In my opinion, some serial killers are crazy and some are not.( This is coming from a person who used to check out library books on serial killers at a young age-what was I thinking? I still read and watch everything I can today-but mostly fiction stuff now) I think people who become serial killers have a mixture of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) that cause them to become who they are. Some are born to become serial killers and some become serial killers through circumstances such as serverely abusive parents most likely the mother being the abusive one. You will find throughout history or by reading books on serial killers that many serial killers confessed to being very aware of what they were doing and knew it was wrong but really enjoyed doing it mostly for sexual satisfaction or thrill. They become addicted to the thrill and do it over and over again. You will also find that there are some who are psychotic/schizophrenic/some type of personality disorder/other mental illness....

In reference to serial killers being smart, most are...do some research and you will find that many have above average intelligence, have good jobs, and are good looking.
serial killers arent usually a product of snapping under pressure. This is something that have been doing for a long time usually beginning in childhood and their acts are usually well though out.
This is just my opinion... Smile

Hope it helps some...

**CatDawg** · 10-21-2005, 12:04 PM

Red and Black Wrote:I think that the majority of serial killers are so smart it makes them go crazy, like they analyze everything too much which makes them go nuts.

That's close to what I was trying to say R&B. A lot of people with high IQ's also have a very hot temper and seem to stress out over some real basic life situations. And they do see things in a different way.

**CatDawg** · 10-21-2005, 12:09 PM

Reizvoll Wrote:I don't see any distinction and I don't know where you got the reference to IQ. I think you can be crazy and have a high IQ at the same time, as crazy isn't really the same thing as 'metally handicapped'. Sure, alot of serial killers are way above average IQ, they probably are, but that still doesn't mean they know the difference between right and wrong or know the limit to what they are doing. Some people can just snap if they are put under enough pressure.

That is true Reizvoll but I don't buy the I was crazy plea just to stay away from the death penalty. Several of these individuals no exactly what they're doing but don't really care. As far as IQ yes most serial killers have to be smart to become a serial killer. A serial killer as we know kills more than one and to be able to kill several you have to be able to outsmart the authorities long enough to do so. Therefore they have to be able to come up with a plan and means to do so. Your average everyday person that snaps and goes "postal" isn't a serial killer.

**CatDawg** · 10-21-2005, 12:12 PM

BlueGrassGirl Wrote:In my opinion, some serial killers are crazy and some are not.( This is coming from a person who used to check out library books on serial killers at a young age-what was I thinking? I still read and watch everything I can today-but mostly fiction stuff now) I think people who become serial killers have a mixture of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) that cause them to become who they are. Some are born to become serial killers and some become serial killers through circumstances such as serverely abusive parents most likely the mother being the abusive one. You will find throughout history or by reading books on serial killers that many serial killers confessed to being very aware of what they were doing and knew it was wrong but really enjoyed doing it mostly for sexual satisfaction or thrill. They become addicted to the thrill and do it over and over again. You will also find that there are some who are psychotic/schizophrenic/some type of personality disorder/other mental illness....

In reference to serial killers being smart, most are...do some research and you will find that many have above average intelligence, have good jobs, and are good looking.
serial killers arent usually a product of snapping under pressure. This is something that have been doing for a long time usually beginning in childhood and their acts are usually well though out.
This is just my opinion... Hope it helps some...

You hit the nail on the head BGG. Most everyone has an addiction some smoke, dip, drink, crime, etc for a serial killer it is usually for sexual and or torture reasons. That's where they get their rush.

**15thRegionCrazy** · 10-21-2005, 01:13 PM

I don't think they are actually completely crazy because they know what they're doing and they enjoy it... they are just sick people... a lot of them most likely had problems when they were younger that drive them to do it... like Charles Manson.. he asked to be kept in jail when he was younger because he knew he couldn't function right out in the world and he knew he would do something like he did.....you should read Helter Skelter.. its a good book

football05 · 10-21-2005, 01:21 PM

Well I say YES and NO b/c it takes a smart person to be a serial killer I think b.c. like everyone else said they have to keep it a secret and have plans already made for back up reasons. I always watch discover channel FBI files and stuff and that stuff is awsome I am addicted to those shows. Well Serial killers are in a leage of their own also, due to the fact of being mistreated when they was younger, it could be verbal abuse, sexual abuse or anything to push them to the edge. I would say if you could take a servey of every serial killer they would say they would do it again b/c its an ADDICTION for them like drugs are to people like drinking and stuff like that. I guess its like cocaine or something once you try it your hooked and get get enough of it. That is my opinion...

**CatDawg** · 10-21-2005, 01:48 PM

Do you know where Charlie is from?

football05 · 10-21-2005, 01:52 PM

Im guessing KY since you asked LOL

**thetribe** · 10-21-2005, 02:42 PM

Charles Manson was from Cinncinnati.

**CatDawg** · 10-21-2005, 03:41 PM

Correct born in Cincy. Has family connects to WVA and I always heard his grandparents were from Boyd Co. but never saw any proof of that.

**thetribe** · 10-21-2005, 05:37 PM

We have been talking about some famous serial killers in forensics and with a simple google search, I found that little tidbit, thought that was wild.
Thanks for bringing that up though CD, totally had forgotten about that.

**CatDawg** · 10-21-2005, 05:58 PM

When you get your paper finished you should post it on here but if not email me a copy.

Please

DTfan · 10-21-2005, 06:31 PM

I watched something on Opera earlier before I fell asleep about this woman who was with this man for 17 years but was married for 9 and they had 2 little boys (I think...maybe it was 3) and he had never physically abused her throughout the entire 17 years but he had been emotionally abusive and mentally controlling, she said he'd tell her that she wasn't being a good mom or that she didn't know how to do anything right the woman even pointedo ut that he'd tell her that she wasn't loading the dishwasher right. Well she said that they had went to a marriage counselor because she eventually got tired of him controlling and emotionally abusing her and that he didn't like what the counselor told him so he left and stayed gone for 5 days. She had met him in a hotel room to discuss divorce and custody when he attacked her, knocked her unconscious, tried to suffocate her and drown her but she lived, he got arrested and put in jail but got out after 24 hours because it was his first offense. 3 weeks later he was hiding in her van when he jumped up and shot her twice in the back of the head...once again she somehow lived after 5 months he tried to hire a hit man to take out her mom, brother and herself but he actually hired a undercover cop and got busted. The man is now in jail for 30 years without parole but the woman still lives in fear that he might try to get another hit man or even come after her himself whe he get's out in 30 years.

In conclusion, the woman said that besides the controlling behavior and the emotional abuse he showed no signs of being capable of any of this and he also stated that in the hotel room the night she was first attacked that he snapped and she saw a look on his face that she had never seen before in the 17 years that they had been together. So tribe to answer your question anyone is capable of anything andj ust like the woman pointed out you can be with someone 5 months, 5 yers or even 50 years and not really know who they are or if they are capable of something of that sort. He man had obviousally planned out each and every attack down to the finest detail. I believe that serial killers aren't necessarily crazy but they have obstacles in their lifes that provoke this type of behavior in some way and eventually they just fall off the edge so to say, I'm also with CD they must have a very hifh IQ in order to sit odwn, plan a crime scene out, down to the finest little detail...espically the people who do it and are never caught...those who perform what's called "the perfect murders".

**thetribe** · 10-21-2005, 07:17 PM

I saw this story this evening also DT.

**thetribe** · 10-21-2005, 07:19 PM

CatDawg Wrote:When you get your paper finished you should post it on here but if not email me a copy.

Please

Will do. It might be a week or so but I am going to try to write some more of it tonight. Might not be good either but it will serve it's purpose.

DTfan · 10-21-2005, 07:28 PM

I didn't mean to write that much...I just started typing and well...lol...

stud_ky_02 · 10-21-2005, 07:31 PM

I don't think they are crazy I just think they have suffered some kind of trauma in their life which is making them take the actions that they are....sorta like their way of coping with the situations that they were put through, that don't really mean you're crazy if it does then that means we're all crazy because we have to adapt to our surroundings

**thetribe** · 10-21-2005, 07:59 PM

I am not going to take alot of time and type out my opinion of it now but I will write my paper and when I type it up, I will post it here or PM it to anyone who wants it.

**crazytaxidriver** · 10-21-2005, 10:14 PM

They aren't crazy... I am crazy..

Personally I dont' think that something has to trigger it.. Who's to say that they haven't succeeded in everything they do and they need a challenge... Who's to say boredom don't get the best of them.

theswag · 10-23-2005, 12:48 PM

i Have always heard that Serial Killers are Born, not made. So, does that mean that you are born crazy? I Dont think that Serial Killers are crazy, just a little Touched in the head. Son Of Sam, he was shit housed crazy.

Jeffrey Dahmer, he wasnt crazy, but a little touched. He kidnapped people and drilled into their skulls and would dribble caustic liquids like Lye into the wound, trying to destroy the free will, making his own Live In Sex Slaves.

So yeah, some are crazy.

Snoopy · 10-23-2005, 01:38 PM

couldnt crazy and genious both be described as the same thing both out of the ordinary not the same as an everyday person?
Just some words for thought

**thetribe** · 10-23-2005, 03:34 PM

I always say that genious is borderline insanity Snoopy.

**ComfortEagle** · 10-23-2005, 05:09 PM

They have to be crazy to kill numerous people without stop. I can see how anger or frustration might cause a sane person to snap, but for someone to constantly kill with no remorse, something has to be messed up.

stud_ky_02 · 10-23-2005, 05:27 PM

Can't wait to read ya paper be sure to let me know when you get it finished

**thetribe** · 10-23-2005, 05:37 PM

I am close Stud. I have about 3 pages done on it. It's not a matter of opinion paper, all of it is factual events, statistics, theories, etc.

**alfus21** · 10-23-2005, 05:54 PM

I want to read your paper when it's finished, and I will give my honest opinion on it when you're finished, because being my major is Sociology(which is all theory) with a crime, law, deviance pathway so I'll let you know what I think of it...