Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Frequencies Between Serial Killer Typology and Theorized Etiological Factors.

Messori, Leryn Rose-Doggett

Abstract Details

2016, Psy. D., Antioch University, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology.
This study examined the association between serial killer typologies and previously proposed etiological factors within serial killer case histories. Stratified sampling based on race and gender was used to identify thirty-six serial killers for this study. The percentage of serial killers within each race and gender category included in the study was taken from current serial killer demographic statistics between 1950 and 2010. Detailed data was gathered about each case, including past experiences and details of their crimes using publicly available primary and secondary source material. Etiological factors identified for this study include military experience, alcohol use, drug use, whether or not the subject was bullied as a child or sexually abused, whether they displayed assaultive behavior as an adolescent, whether they were physically abused by their maternal figure, and whether they had engaged in animal torture or engaged in fire setting in childhood or adolescence. The presence of these factors was coded dichotomously (present = 1; not present = 0) for each case history. Cases were then divided by inclusion in two typologies: the FBI’s organized/disorganized typology and Holmes, Holmes, and DeBurger’s intrinsic motivation typology. The etiological factors were examined for interrelatedness and prevalence in the designated serial killer typologies. Results of crosstabulations and chi-squared analysis showed that military experience was significantly associated with the organized/disorganized typology (p<.01). Thus, serial killers within the organized typology were more likely to have prior military experience, while those in the disorganized typology were not. No other statistically significant findings between etiological factors and serial killer typology were found. Statistical analyses indicated that there might be other associations between etiological factors, but not at a statistical significance level with this population size. Considerations for future research are discussed. The electronic version of this dissertation is available free at Ohiolink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd
Ron Pilato, Psy.D. (Committee Chair)
Brett Kia-Keating, Ed.D. (Committee Member)
Maxann Shwartz, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
97 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Messori, L. R.-D. (2016). Frequencies Between Serial Killer Typology and Theorized Etiological Factors. [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1471990999

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Messori, Leryn. Frequencies Between Serial Killer Typology and Theorized Etiological Factors. . 2016. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1471990999.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Messori, Leryn. "Frequencies Between Serial Killer Typology and Theorized Etiological Factors. ." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1471990999

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)