Researching Societal Factors of Serial Killers

 Melissa Sipione, Verrazzano Class of  2021, completed major in Psychology and minor in Italian

Researching infamous serial killers and their patterns of behavior intrigues me. Understanding the mind of a murderer could be very difficult because it often requires having a similar past experience of the action or knowledge that allows us to relate. While conducting my thesis on the life of Jeffrey Dahmer with a focus in the Social Bonding Theory, there were a vast amount of reasons that could have caused Dahmer to commit those heinous crimes. It is expected and accepted for most people to quickly despise and judge the actions of these individuals but it is crucial to share and educate others on their history. By doing so, it will allow a larger discussion about the correlation between childhood treatment and exposure and deviation from society.

Throughout this research project, I familiarized myself with the history of Jeffrey Dahmer. I learned that Dahmer was severely neglected by his parents as a child. After Dahmer had surgery in his scrotum at the age of four, his parents claimed he was no longer the same outgoing and energetic little boy. However, there is no proof that his surgery had a direct effect on his becoming a serial killer. His parents had marital issues and it was during these troubling times that Dahmer was physically and emotionally neglected. His mother nearly committed suicide by drugs and his father was never around for support. Dahmer didn’t have any friends either. He attended school but was not motivated to do well despite the fact that his teachers believed he was a bright student. School was his only escape from reality.

The objective of this research project was to gather an understanding of Dahmer's childhood and attempt to allow the Social Bonding Theory to help make sense of why Dahmer deviated

from social norms. Through this theory, I was able to connect Dahmer's childhood which helped to have an understanding of why he became a serial killer. The theory provides four reasons why deviation may occur: Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, and Belief.

From this experience, I learned that people do not tend to sympathize with serial killers and their history, and they despise them for the innocent lives that are taken. I strongly encourage others to try to understand why people may deviate from society to avoid further misconceptions, although it is important to note that not all serial killers have had horrendous childhoods.

For further review in my next research project, I will study the history of a serial killer who had a “normal” childhood, with loving and supportive parents.