Sexually motivated serial killers and the psychology of aggression and "evil" within a contemporary psychoanalytical perspective

Author： Knight Zelda G.

Publisher： Routledge Ltd

ISSN： 1355-2600

Source： Journal of Sexual Aggression, Vol.13, Iss.1, 2007-03, pp. : 21-35

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Abstract

This theoretical paper explores the concept of evil, dislodged from its philosophical and religious underpinnings, and the concept of aggression from within a contemporary psychoanalytical perspective, and links these two concepts in such a way that the concept of evil is located psychologically and (re)defined as destructive aggression that emerges as violence against another. Within this discourse, the argument presented is that sexually motivated serial killers are evil. Evil is thus viewed as both premeditated violence and reactive to a perceived sense of threat or endangerment. Moreover, it has the essential element of psychological pleasure in inflicting pain on another. Related to this perceived threat, these types of serial killers may be viewed as protecting a weak and inadequate sense of self. In this context, serial killers' heinous acts of destructive aggression are re-enactments of past insults, resulting in victims being the symbolic representative of past tormentors.