Aileen Wuornos: The Psychology Of A Serial Killer

We often evaluate a serial killer from the outside, but what’s going on inside their head? What are they thinking? Are they mentally unstable? Are they just monsters who fascinate over killing other humans? When it comes to the psychology of a serial killer, are there really certain characteristics to define them? There are studies who say it could have stemmed from childhood neglect and abuse. Studies show that there are phases which a serial killer goes through during a murder. The evaluations that have been made and studies that have been done are no excuse for their actions, it is just to show us part of the reason to why they are a killer. A serial killer is defined as a person who murders three or more persons in at least three

For example, Donald Gaskins, who killed over 100 people was neglected by his mother when he was a young child and was sexually abused many times when he was 13 years old. Charles Manson, who led a cult and killed many people was born into an alcoholic atmosphere by his teen mom. Charles was in and out of many different children’s homes as a kid. Aileen Wuornos, one of the most famous female serial killers who is known as a monster was also abused as a child. Wuornos killed almost every one of her customers while working as a prostitute. Her mother left her when she was a young child and she was raped numerous times by a family member. Albert fish, a known killer and cannibal, was constantly brutally beaten starting before the age 9. The beatings took place at orphanages. Another widely known killer is Jerome Brudos. Brudos was raised by his mother who abused him and dressed him as a girl almost every day throughout his childhood. Brudos ended up killing and torturing many women as he got older. John Wayne Gacy was raised by an alcoholic father who abused him physically and emotionally. He was also sexually abused by a family member at age 8. In Gacy’s life he killed and buried 33 people around his house, all of which were teenage boys. So, we ask ourselves, could childhood abuse really make you into a killer? Though it is very common, it still doesn’t explain those who grew up in a good environment. For instance, Jeffery Dahmer is one of the most heinous killers known to mankind. Dahmer grew up with both of his parents and was never abused, as far as they were concerned, he was a happy and “normal” child growing