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Related Concept Videos

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder01:29

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder

The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
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Holistic Facial Composite Creation and Subsequent Video Line-up Eyewitness Identification Paradigm
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[The serial murder: a few theoretical perspectives].

S Leistedt1, P Linkowski

  • 1Département de Psychiatrie, Hôpital Erasme. samuel.leistedt@erasme.ulb.ac.be

Revue Medicale De Bruxelles
|August 13, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Serial killers, often psychopathic sexual sadists with troubled pasts, remain an enigma. Neurobiological and neurophysiological approaches may help understand and curb this crime phenomenon.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Criminology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Despite extensive research, a universal consensus on serial killer definition, classification, epidemiology, clinical aspects, and psychopathology remains elusive.
  • Global crime rates, particularly those involving serial offenses, are a growing concern, prompting diverse explanations and theories.
  • Serial killers are typically described as Caucasian males aged 20-40, socially integrated but with significant psychiatric and family history issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the psychopathological profiles and behavioral patterns of serial killers.
  • To investigate the potential of neurobiological and neurophysiological approaches in understanding serial offending.
  • To identify potential strategies for curbing the rise of serial crime.

Main Methods:

  • Review of psychopathological studies on serial killers.
  • Analysis of common characteristics, including demographics, personal history, and criminal modus operandi.
  • Exploration of neurobiological and neurophysiological research avenues.

Main Results:

  • Most serial killers exhibit psychopathic traits and histories of severe childhood trauma, including violence and abuse.
  • Pervasive fantasies involving death, sex, and violence are common precursors to their criminal acts.
  • A minority act impulsively, often linked to underlying mental illnesses such as psychosis.

Conclusions:

  • Serial killers are complex individuals, often characterized by psychopathy, sexual sadism, and traumatic childhoods.
  • Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings is crucial for unraveling the enigma of serial offending.
  • Neuroscience offers promising avenues for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.