Running Head: INQUIRY PROJECT: WHY DO PEOPLE KILL?

Inquiry Project: Why Do People Kill?

Bryttni D Pugh
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

INQUIRY PROJECT: WHY DO PEOPLE KILL?

Inquiry Project: Why Do People Kill?

***This is only a brief outline with corresponding research***
Explaining why people kill is more complex than it seems because of the various kinds of
murders and motives. The purpose of my research is to help others understand a criminals mind,
and I have created a miniature killers closet that highlights the main points through different
outfits and accessories.
According to Dr. K. Sohail, there are seven classifications that explain the various
motives as to why people kill. The reasons are personal revenge, serial killers, social violence of
gangs, mental illness, political and national violence, violence of religious fundamentalists, and
international violence. The author believes that murders will lead to suicides that will disrupt the
evolutionary process. People, innocent or guilty, can kill or be killed regardless of their beliefs
and the progress of world peace.
Outfits: Suit classy cover-up *Describe symbolism of each then corresponding info*
Street clothes gang
Lab coat scientist
Swedish scientists and Professor Tiihonen tested 895 Finland prisoners in order to figure
out if there was a specific gene that correlates to violent behaviour. The study concluded that "a
monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) low-activity genotype (contributing to low dopamine turnover
rate) as well as the CDH13 gene (coding for neuronal membrane adhesion protein) are associated
with extremely violent behavior (at least 10 committed homicides, attempted homicides or
batteries)." In Finland, these genes were found in about five to ten-percent of serious violent
crime and in the majority in other countries. Not only could the genes MAOA and CDH13
contribute to violence and murder, but anti-social personality could play a role. Even though

INQUIRY PROJECT: WHY DO PEOPLE KILL?

Keegan states that anti-social personality and social factors are not necessarily linked to these
specific genes, they could potentially still contribute to violence - perhaps more in small crime
than severe crime.
Poncho American Psycho reference (easy clean-up)
Straightjacket mental illness
Mental illness, according to Szalavitz, is associated with violence such as homicide. The
mentally ill are responsible for about five to ten-percent of murders committed. Schizophrenia, a
disorder that affects roughly one-percent of the U.S. population, and psychosis, a symptom of the
disorder, can lead people to have violent actions. Schizophrenics have double the chance of
becoming violent and twenty times the chance of committing murder than the average person;
violent acts have been carried out by thirty-five-percent of the people suffering with psychosis.
However, rarely do any schizophrenics engage in violent activity. Szalavitz points out that "of
those who did become violent, fewer than 1% had committed violence severe enough to result in
hospitalization or permanent injury." She also notes that social stigmas on mental illnesses may
influence violent behaviour because of the characteristics that accompany it: delusion,
disconnection, social withdrawal and rejection, depression, and lack of emotion. She connects
the possibility to James Holmes, the man responsible for the Aurora movie theatre shooting, and
"N," an anonymous woman who was accused of "planning to plant a bomb" after a shooting at
Northern Illinois University. N is a schizophrenic and was suspended and banned from her
graduate program and the university following the assumption. Her diagnosis and one-week
punishment affected her personal and academic life. Even though her punishment was reversed,
students and staff did not want to interact with her as if rejecting her existence. The isolation and
her auditory delusions made it difficult to concentrate in her classes, resulting in a dismissal from

INQUIRY PROJECT: WHY DO PEOPLE KILL?

the program. Her dysfunction ultimately lead to "a single vision, me, sometimes hanging,
sometimes with gun in hand and a pool of blood on the floor, outside [her former advisers]
office. Suicide, yes, obviously, but also something more: revenge." The author mentions how the
program dismissal may be essential when trying to understand James Holmes' need to kill; he
may have simply wanted revenge. Along with stigmas, Szalavitz says,with the research from
Dobbs and Eric Johnson, that one's culture, medical treatment, and economic disparity have a
larger role in violent behaviour (specifically homicide). The difference in income between the
rich and the poor have accounted for 74% of murder rates, and social networks have accounted
for 82% of homicides. Money is more of a weapon than guns and drugs. Being a male is the last
contributing factor to violence, increasing the violent behaviour by nine times.. Szalavitz
believes that the mentally ill should not be attacked for their disorders just as men are not
attacked for being men.
USA flag suit political/national violence
Presidential assassinations (JFK).
ISIS uniform international violence
ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, has been alive since al Qaeda's Iraq faction,
AQI. AQI had developed in ISIS after the Sunni Awakening in 2007 and the expansion back into
Iraq in 2013, thanks to al-Baghdadi. Not only do they target the people of Iraq and Syria but also
U.S. journalists (like James Foley and Steven Sotloff) and military. The terror group has been
able to receive much power - by taking advantage of the Iraqi government - and support from
Iraqi military and citizens; the group has over 30,000 members. Unfortunately, roughly 150
citizens of the U.S. have supported ISIS or traveled to Syria in hopes of being in the group. The
U.S. continues to fire airstrikes and attacks in order to weaken and destroy the terror group.

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Nazi uniform international violence

The Holocaust, developed by Adolf Hitler, is known to have caused the deaths of 11
million people including six million Jews. The Anne Frank House states that Hitler and his Nazis
thought the Jews caused them to lose WWI and the 'economic crisis.' The Jews are not to blame
for these events, but Hitler found it necessary to use them as a scapegoat; the Austrian
community he grew up in did not favor Jews and was anti-Semitic. He wanted to eliminate the
Jewish people in order to make Germany more powerful and to make an Aryan race (blond hair,
blue eyes) that would be superior to the Jews. Contributors to the Holocaust's Final Solution
include: Hitler, SS, German government, military, Nazi Party officials, civil servants, doctors,
lawyers, judges, soldiers, and railroad workers.
Not only did Hitler and the Nazis have a major role in the Holocaust but so did
Germany's ordinary citizens, making the whole country responsible. According to Weinstein,
Germans were "coerced into killing, followed orders blindly, succumbed to peer pressure, or
simply were unaware of the ongoing genocide" because of the authoritative government. Even if
people were not associated with the Nazis, they were still following orders to kill the Jews in fear
of authority. With no punishment enforced, the citizens were also contributing to the Final
Solution based on individual beliefs and hatred toward Jews. Hitler was a persuasive leader, and
the support from Germany to exterminate the Jews gathered from a similar feeling - hatred.
Priest religious violence
Orange jail jumpsuit guilty
Judge insanity plea
According to FindLaw, "a criminal defendant who is found to have been legally insane
when he or she committed a crime may be found not guilty by reason of insanity." There are four

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rules to determine if a criminal is insane: the M'Naghten rule (not knowing right and wrong or
not understanding his or her actions), the irresistible impulse test (not in control of impulses), the
Durham rule (mental defect), and the model penal code test for legal insanity (not able to act
lawfully and not able to understand his or her criminal actions).
Winslade and Ross do not want the insanity plea to be allowed; they would rather have it
eliminated from the justice system because it defeats justice. The psychiatry used in testimony
includes poorly elaborated theories, a lack of scientific evidence, and exemption from
responsibility. The law states that people are free to do as they choose and are responsible for
their actions and the consequences that follow. Instead, psychiatry used in the insanity defense
leads one to believe that a criminal is not in control of his or her actions; previous events and his
or her state of mind excuses his or her behaviour. Although inappropriate, jurors can still be
convinced to set the guilty free because of their confusion about the human mind and the expert's
excessive amount of information.
Accessories: Knocked down cross and Bible unfaithful to religion, excuses
Before all of the advancements in technology and education, people believed killers were
possessed by demons or Satan. Possession is associated with religion, using crosses and Bible
messages to let the demons free. When one is 'possessed' he or she may believe that others
around them are as well or are coming after him or her. In the U.K., a mother killed her two sons
because she thought that they were possessed by demons. She suffocated one with a diaper, and
drowned the other in the bathtub. She was not guilty because of insanity, and she was transported
to a mental institution. The mother's attorney said she had schizoaffective disorder and could not
figure out the difference between right and wrong.
Books research and comparisons

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Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a prime example of wanting to gain power. He is so

greedy for the throne that he goes on a quest to kill Banquo, Fleance, and Macduff just to obtain
power. However, the plan that killed Duncan (and the ghost of Banquo) linger in Macbeth's
conscience, affecting his thoughts. The witches' predictions made Macbeth's desire to become
king greater - along with Lady Macbeth's support. Ambition got the worst of him, unfortunately,
because he was too focused on gaining power, making him increasingly more violent.
Picture of flowers no support or attention from family/friends
Mirror reflection, personal experience, different points of view
Cassette tapes ISIS recordings
Shoebat, an obvious Christian author, connects the ISIS killings to pre-Christian and
Islamic history, where the old and horrific entertainment to the Romans is similar to the
Muslim's new "reality TV." To the ISIS terrorist group, their actions are committed as an
offering to Allah and Jihad, but more reasonably to seek revenge on the U.S. led coalition. After
the beheadings of American journalists, Al-Kassasbeh is next to be filmed and photographed
while being killed. Shoebat shows the video and photographs of the Jordanian pilot being burned
alive in a cage. ISIS is said to have "followed the Quran 'So whoever has assaulted you, then
assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you',' America's coalition as the 'original'
assaulter by burning more than twenty ISIS terrorists. Due to Al-Kassasbeh obeying America,
the terrorists "pledged to behead any U.S. pilot who is caught" and that "the message is meant to
be a warning to all U.S.-led coalition." Although the U.S. viewed the video and images in
February, an Islamic State ISIS site had already posted that the pilot was killed in January. As if
someone burning alive was hard enough to watch, a Muslim woman, who talks on video on
behalf of all Muslim mothers, would disagree. She believes that ISIS's way of killing is 'too

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humane' and suggests Khazouk, a long spike driven up the rectum and through the back or
mouth, instead; if it were a hot rod, the victim would be able to live up to two days in suffering.
Unfortunately, the Khazouk punishment is still used, as seen in one of the nauseating and
depressing videos. Aside from Shoebat focusing on Christian victims and their need to convert
everyone to Christianity in order to "avoid eternal hell fire," they are not afraid to show the
reality of ISIS killings just as ISIS is not afraid to document, kill, and speak poorly of the U.S.
Movies/ TV Shows as discussed
A Nightmare on Elm Street: fear of someone stalking and attacking you, nightmares,
killed in dreams, etc.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: based on true events, slow deaths, brutal process, etc.
American Horror Story: criminals can range from freaks to normal-looking people to the
unexpected
48 Hours: real crimes that put the real world into perspective - many horrific crimes day to day.
Fahy describes three main reasons as to why we attribute horror movies to our everyday lives: to
not be deceived about trust, to continue to go on about our lives regardless of how imperfect the
world is, and that the "construction of everyday is necessary." Horror is important in letting us
know that we should place our trust on people or items we rely on instead of what we find
insecure or what we find ourselves too dependent on. We also tend to "continue to act in the
presence of fear" like going up stairs after hearing a noise we find discomforting. Additionally,
we can create scenarios in order to find security in certain situations like those in horror films.
It'll make us more confident and prepared for the real world.
Teddy bear Dahmer, childhood killings
Clipboard planning, buildup process

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Violence is less of a 'snap' and more of a buildup or planning process; for the average
person it takes a few days, and it takes only a few hours for someone with bipolar disorder. Dr.
Ash states that a person's fantasies may lead to reality. The criminal won't be able to feel like he
or she can undo his or her decision to kill because the criminal's emotions and actions are
separated. Although there is no set reason to explain why people kill, there are many
possibilities: seizures, alcohol and drugs, psychosis, PTSD, life experiences, and brain injuries
(frontal and temporal lobes).
Money rich or poor
Noose suicide
Tufekci points out that suicides are hardly given attention on the news because the stories
may give other adolescents ways and new information about how to commit suicide. They are
more likely to act on what they see or hear, and the media is cautious when reporting suicides to
not cause harm. On the other hand, the media reports shocking mass shootings which "fuels
interest in the shooter and creates a whirlwind of attention and spectacle." There needs to be a
way to maintain the public's interest and to weaken copycat crimes; Tufekci describes four of her
suggestions to do so: methods and manners of killings should not be released or shared, pull
down a killer's social media, do not release the name of the killer immediately, and to not
interview survivors or loved ones 'in their most vulnerable moments.' Not all details to a horrific
event need to be released to the public because copycat criminals will emerge and the victims
and their families need help and peace.
Mask horror film, hidden identity
Barber introduces the concept of depersonalization that psychologists use to describe
someone who has adapted a new persona. James Holmes, for example, wanted to imitate the

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Joker from The Dark Knight, adopting a character that is not his true identity; warriors paint their
faces to look like enemies and to take on new roles. It creates a mask for the person, and he or
she can be more inclined to be involved in violence like homicide. Although each individual
killer has a small personal motive, he or she wants to redo a certain crime that has a lot of
publicity and media coverage. On a depressing note, "the rampage killer wants to commit suicide
but opts to take others with him."
Brain evidence or science material/DNA
Caution tape handle with care
Blood and stains will be caught, mess, evidence
Weapons gun, knife, chainsaw, rope
Gun availability has caused a spike in shootings and publicity in the U.S. and other
developed countries. Forty-two percent of homicides across the world are linked to firearms. The
rates for homicides by firearm varies from country to country, but violence and gun availability
is prevalent across each nation. There are many variables like income and location that affect the
risk for homicide. Culture and preference for guns also contributes because the homicide rates in
Eastern European nations hardly changed when guns were made widely available. Thaler says
that in areas with more firearms, people of all ages were more likely to be murdered, especially
with handguns.
Homicides have a wide range of motives that stem from gangs, family affairs, money,
and relationships. The Academy makes the distinction that murderers have a personal motive to
kill while psycho/serial killers have an instinct or desire to make their fantasies come true. Onehundred to two-hundred murders a year are committed by serial killers; ninety-percent of the
victims were strangers, three-percent were friends, and one-percent was family. Characteristics

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of a serial killer include adult age (25-30) and male. Although stereotypical, pop culture has put
emphasis on this profile by creating famous horror movie characters as those in Saw, Psycho,
and Silence of the Lambs. However, movies tend to lack realistic physical characteristics and
exaggerate a more creepy look - wearing a hockey mask like Jason or carrying a chainsaw like
Leatherface. Killers are "magicians of death" and can be quite clever when trying to present a
fake version of themselves; their false personality can trick someone into becoming their next
victim. Even with the vast majority of serial killers having only a high school education, they are
creative enough to make their crimes difficult to solve. Patrick Bateman from American Psycho
is a more realistic version of a serial killer. Violent behaviour is found to be higher in children
and those of young age because they are still learning what is morally right and wrong. It is also
found in the "orbital frontal cortex, the anterior cingulated cortex, and the amygdale, which plays
a large part in the control of negative and violent emotions. The orbital frontal cortex has been
found to control and restrain the impulse of emotional outbursts, the anterior cingulated cortex
was found to deal with responses to conflict, and the amygdale is known to control reactions to
fear." Of course, the amydale's activity was much higher than the other two regions, which were
faded away. Brain and gene defects are a great way in figuring out (and possibly preventing) the
trigger behind a person's violent behaviour. Another reason a serial killer may not fully
understand right and wrong is because of Freud's death instinct theory, describing how a person
will repeat unpleasing experiences. Jeffrey Dahmer had a routine of getting drunk and murdering
a man; but, he found it to be a pleasing experience. On the nurture side, social interactions and
event can influence one's thoughts instead of actions. After Dahmer had moved, he began to
favor dissecting roadkill over playing with other kids. Killing and dissecting animals shows
dominance, in hopes to become powerful when a child is powerless under his or her parent's

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rules. This horrific hobby can comfort a child if he or she feels abandoned, like Dahmer did. The
Academy says, "animal abusers were five times more likely to commit acts of violence such as
assault, rape, and murder against others." Childhood experiences affect and shape a child's future
behaviour and personality, and, if a negative experience, can worsen through puberty and
adulthood. The article concludes that psycho/serial killers are comprised of both nature and
nurture because they balance each other out.
The closet itself:
Dehumanization is when "opponents view each other as less than human and thus not
deserving of moral consideration." This can result in alienation, isolation, exclusion, and hatred
as seen by the Nazis and the Jews, for example. The ones who are viewed as dehumanized are
seen as inferior and as a threat to the other group. People will go outside society's norms in order
to try and get rid of their enemy; they will do their best to harm the other group such as
murdering them or raping them. The groups will view their opponents as evil, and the negative
feelings they have about one another will only escalate and bring forth severely violent actions.
Perhaps this is because the groups will begin to think that their judgements are acceptable when
they are morally wrong. Maiese suggests that empathy is an easy route to overcome
dehumanization.

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References
Anne Frank House - Teachers' Portal - Pupils' questions: Why did Hitler hate Jews? (n.d.).
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Barber, N. (2012, July 27). Copycat Killings. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201207/copycat-killings
Common questions about the Holocaust. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2015, from
http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/commonquestions#answer 1
Fahy, T. (2010). Horror and the Idea of Everyday Life. In The Philosophy of Horror (pp. 14-32).
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Interview with Charles Manson [Motion picture]. (2010).
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Maiese, M. (2003, July 1). Dehumanization | Beyond Intractability. Retrieved February 23, 2015,
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Mother who killed her two young sons because they were 'possessed by demons' is cleared of
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Szalavitz, M. (2012, July 31). Mass Murder and Mental Illness: The Interplay of Stigma, Culture
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Thaler, C. (2012, October 10). Reassessing the association between gun availability and
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Tufekci, Z. (2012, December 19). The Media Needs to Stop Inspiring Copycat Murders. Here's
How. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from

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http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/12/the-media-needs-to-stop-inspiringcopycat-murders-heres-how/266439/
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The History of Murder by Colin Wilson
Why They Kill by Richard Rhodes
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