What Motivates a Serial Killer to Kill?

What motivates a serial killer to kill? Are there any ways to spot a serial killer before they attack? These are all questions that people have wondered for years. A serial killer is defined as a person who murders 3+ people over a period of > 30 days, with an inactive period between each murder, and whose motivation for killing is largely based on psychological gratification. (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/serial+killer). When people hear that someone they know has committed a murder, they’re often very surprised that the seemingly “normal” person they knew could do such a thing. Many serial killers have the ability to behave in a way that arouses no suspicion. There are, however, a few signs that may help identify people who have the potential to become serial killers – such as extreme antisocial behavior, and use of violence towards living creatures.

Antisocial personality disorder is defined as someone who shows no remorse or guilt. Some signs of antisocial disorder may include: lying, aggressiveness, failure to conform to social norms, and irresponsibility. Another common indicator of a possible serial killer is the killing of animals. They may irritate, torture, or even kill cats, dogs, and other animals. Even after seeing the results of their actions, the person will show no form of regret or remorse. Serial killers enjoy having control over the life of another; and at a younger age, a small animal is the only type of creature that they are able to fully dominate. (http://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/early-signs) 

            Motivations involved in serial killings often include fear of rejection, power, and perfection. Many serial killers fear social rejection, and try to avoid painful personal relationships with another human being. After all, the serial killer cannot be rejected by a person whom they have dominated and killed. This leads into the next type of motivation – power. Serial killers seek to have complete power over their victims, since they get to decide whether or not the victim will live or die. Perfection is also a main motive to serial killers, since some killers seek to “improve” something. They often see a category of people, such as women or prostitutes, as “unclean”, and see the removal of those beings as improving the world. (http://twistedminds.creativescapism.com/psychological-disorders/motives/#sthash.hvxJuxvi.dpuf)