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38 Deviant Behav. 735 (2017)
The Role of Sexual, Sadistic, and Misogynistic Fantasy in Mass and Serial Killing

handle is hein.journals/devbh38 and id is 736 raw text is: DEVIANT BEHAVIOR 2017, VOL. 38, NO. 7, 735-743 Routledge http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2016.1197669 Taylor&FrancisGroup The Role of Sexual, Sadistic, and Misogynistic Fantasy in Mass and Serial Killing Jennifer L. Murray Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY Asubset ofviolent criminals fixates on deviant (and often grossly misogynistic) Received 23 October 2015 sexual fantasies, or engages in sexually sadistic behavior toward victims. Accepted 1 April 2016 Although the role of psychosexual deviancy is quite common among many notorious serial killers (e.g., Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgway, Dennis Rader), it appears to be a motivating factor for some recent mass kilers as well. Evidence indicates that the killer's psychosexual issues were a motivating factor for mass killers (e.g., George Sodini, Jared Lee Loughner, and Elliot Rodger) in their assault. his article will compare and contrast the role and influence of a deviant sexual/ misogynistic fantasy formation process for mass and serial kilers. Introduction Mass and serial killers share many similarities both prior to their fantasy formation stage, and during the fantasy-conditioning process that spans over a substantial amount of time, and increases in intensity and violence. However, the way in which these fantasies are expressed differs for each type of criminal mindset. The common (grossly misogynistic) and sexually sadistic behavior of many serial killers has been studied for well over half a century. This type of deviancy was a prime motivator for notorious serial killers (e.g., Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgeway, Dennis Rader). However, the role of (grossly misogynistic) and psychosexual deviant fantasies fueling the mass killers' behavior is a relatively new phenomena. By conducting ethnographic content analysis on the cases of mass killers (e.g., George Sodini, Jared Lee Loughner, and Elliot Rodger) this research unearths similar fantasy propulsion full of rage, hatred, and sadistic revenge toward women. The psyche for both serial and mass murderers is marked by low self-esteem; real and perceived rejection; and despair, powerlessness, and self-loathing that is projected onto others. Both mass and serial killers direct blame for their real and perceived shortcomings outwardly. During adolescence and on into adulthood, the potential killer uses fantasy and daydreaming as a means to compensate for deficient social relationships and for some a lack of sexual relationships. Over time, as distorted perceptions become ingrained thought patterns, this potentially violent criminal goes deeper and deeper into a mordant fantasized world. Eventually, it becomes an inefficient coping mechanism; the individual's attempt to re-establish psychological equilibrium must be advanced and the fantasy must be actualized (Proulx et al. 2007:31). Sadistic serial killers tend to have particularly detailed and elaborate fantasies-scripts of violence, rich with themes of abuse, control, and dominance (Skrapec 2001). Killing is typically, but not always, a means of sexual arousal and gratification for this offender. This type of serial killer is motivated by themes of absolute power over another human being. The few mass killers who have a sexual motivation for their crimes likewise derive pleasure from fantasies of sadistic violence, control, and domination. CONTACT Jennifer L. Murray Jennifer.Murray@indstate.edu Indiana State University, Criminology/Criminal Justice Holmstedt Hall 231, Terre Haute, 47809 IN, USA. 0 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

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