Fractured Identity Syndrome: A New Theory of Serial Murder (Essay Sample)

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Fall 2014
Fractured Identity Syndrome
A New Theory of Serial Murder
Serial murder is categorically a fatal behavior which is fascinating and galvanizing the interest of citizenry irrespective of place, race or ethnicity globally; taking America as a case sample, the history of serial killers date back to 1970s (Silvio et. al. 252). Moreover, in the United States, the names of serial killers are well-known: Gacy, Brudos, Bundy, Eyler, Kemper are just but a few among the notorious serial killers identified in the USA. The list may be endless since there are newer names that often join the team; Glenn Rogers, Westley Dodd, McDuff, Larry Evans and others (Arrigo & Shipley 408).
In spite of the fact that the victims of serial killing are known, the killers have been integrated in the America’s pop culture (Jenkins 2). Conversely, the monetary success of books and movies based on serial murders are affirmed to be imperious to failure, for example, the fiction and nonfiction books with featured serial murder themes; for example Thomas Harris “The Red Dragon (1984), and The Silence of the Lamb (1988)” and other books have become part of the written culture that offer a momentary fulfillment to the voracious appetite the public has for serial murder and the serial killer (Canter et. al. 297).
Hickey's The Serial Killer and His Victims, (1997) now in its second edition is often heralded as the classic periodical in serial (Silvio et. al. 254). However, the Social Construction of Homicide (1994) received significant applause as a leading educational publication into the social dilemma of serial murder (Jenkins 3). Such early publications alerted the academic community as to the real and latent dangers of the serial killer. The paper will explore a "theory of serial murder” and shall as well derive a description of the characteristics or traits of serial murderer: the identified social theory is “fractured identity syndrome”.
Literature Review
It is appreciable that academic community quickly discovers the fact that serial murder is a malady (Jenkins 4). The exhibited serial killings in the 1970s and 1980s caused a furry in explaining the phenomena. The typology has been severally cited globally in the quest to derive an understanding of the serial killer mentality (Arrigo & Shipley 415). In an attempt to distinguish the variety of types of killers, research indicate that groups of serial killers base their argument on motivations and for anticipated gains, either material or psychological (Jenkins 13). In spite of the exhibited similarities, killers differ a great deal. It is believed that a normal person should be remorseful for realizing an engagement in killing; this is not the same for serial killers (Canter et. al. 299).
However, differences do not distinguish between multiple homicides; neither do they sufficiently show how psychological conditions are transformed to actual killing or murder (Arrigo & Shipley 412). Most of the renowned serial killers exhibit traits which include but not limited to: being brought up in poor/ unstable homes, being self-centered, indication of lack of self-worth, abusive to alcoholics and drugs (Jenkins 15).
The identified social theory “fractured identity syndrome” could be illustrated in the fact that social killers at times kill to control their inner conflict that control them (Keppel & Walter 439). This might also be for solace, since they tend to demonstrate sense of power and control (Jenkins 14). According to research, the killing process may result from an “ego-dystonic” state; it implies that the motives behind the killing, murder and thoughts are unacceptable to the killer (Kafta 444; Ressler et. al. 442). Moreover, the act of killing creates a feeling of extremity guilt to the killer, although they are drawn to commit the sequential homicide act without a reminiscent of the act committed in the past. In displaying personal trait, this act is antisocial, a trait of egotism (Kafta 450).
However, in spite of the continued inmvolvement in serial killings, the murders encounter traumatizing scenarios facilitated through engagement in drugs, pornography and alcoholism (Jenkins 14). This is essential for them to integrate well with the common man through socialization (Arrigo & Shipley 414). Thus affirming that sociological approach and social structure. In fact, serial killer mentality is based on "Actual Social Identity" and “Virtual Social Identity” (Kafta 446).
The Fractured Social Identity
Research by social scientists indicates that the concept virtual social and of actual identity illustrate how traits of serial killers develop (Keppel & Walter 442). A more refined active perspective of social behavior indicates that individuals change especially when individuals encounter something at vulnerable time leading to drastic behavioral exit (Kafta 449; Keppel & Walter 440).
However, according to social scientists, serial killers have long been theorized to suffer from distinct traumatizing encounters within the society (Jenkins 9; Kafta 442). Fortunately, for a few, fragmentalization sets the theater for an emergent serial murder behavior. It implies that such victims would learn about the inborn stigma, and become socialized into an “actual social identity” even as the killer gets to understand what is normal; but, not a single person could be raised in a societal vacuum (Ressler et. al. 441). Hence, society acts as an important facet in personality development. It implies that serial killer would become aware of inner feelings that include reasons, rationalizations and motivations for sequential homicide (Kafta 448).
In understanding fracture of personality of a serial killer, it is important to define fracture; firstly, it means a small break in personality, but it is not a total destruction (Canter et. al. 309; Ressler et. al. 229). The old character is not ravished. Moreover, personality fracture is not visible in the public domain; it is often felt by the serialized (Kafta 440). In an individual’s lifetime, one incident might cause a fissure personality wise, while the other incidents that follow cause the fissure to explode into “fractured identity” personality (Arrigo & Shipley 419).
However, serial murderer, just as other personalities affected by fractured identities, discovers the best way to live with their pain, they knowledge their stigmata, and derive the best way to conceal it (Jenkins 10). A managed personality is constructed and its consistency is presented in social encounters; thus virtual social identity presents individuals as “regular or normal” members of society (Canter et. al. 302). The fractured identity therefore is perceived to be hidden from public view. Persons with fractured identity tend to avoid long lasting relationships for no other reason than lessening the risk of discovering the hidden part, the fractured identity (Jenkins 11).
It is important to reiterate that the only person(s) to witness the fractured identity section of the actual social identity is the victim(s) of the serial killer (Canter et. al. 294). But the hidden, destructive part becomes visible for a short ...