What are some things that would motivate someone to become a serial killer?

[Anonymous]

I'm writing a novel about a serial killer. I need ideas.

[WhatTheHeckkkk]

Childhood traumas, such as parents being neglectful or abusive. Seems as though many murderers feel anger towards men/women because of some traumas in their childhood, teenhood, or early adulthood. I would assume that this anger or resentment towards people stemmed from their parents or society excluding them. Or maybe a romantic or sexual rejection.


Sexual traumas. I think this would also tie into childhood traumas, but I believe that some serial killers (can’t remember the names), have experienced molestation or sexual assault from their childhood.


Well, overall psychopathy. Their twisted mental state would motivate them to become a serial killer.

[Agape93]

Revenge is one. Another that I find more interesting is a goal oriented one. They kill for a reason. Some kill sex workers because they hate sexually active women, and some murder others who cause harm to others, like a vigilante. You can make it as subtle or as blunt as you want. Their mentality is usually honest about it, because they see it as doing a net good for society.

[FýrdracaDócincel]

If you're aiming for realism (which I'm 99.999% sure you aren't, even if you think you are), depraved sexual desires gone wrong are what links the vast majority of serial killers together.

The tying up, the torture, the mutilation. It gets them off.

If you want to go for a more anti-hero route, there have been cases of police officers becoming serial killers after becoming jaded with their station. But those are the slim minority.

[FýrdracaDócincel]

Don't listen to these schmucks talking about injustices by society or what have you.

Oh joy.. serial killer stories turning the murderer into a sympathetic figure who needs a woman's love.. just what we need more of. 😒

[Now_Here]

Growing up in a violent and abusive household, witnessing one or more gruesome murder (s) at a very young age, neglection from the society, strong resentment and hatred against people, getting bullied and often being inflicted physical harm upon, being a victim sexual molestation and/or harassment etc.

Hope that helps :D

[RawIronhide]

Most of the time it's because of resentment of society. People don't talk about such things but the truth is everyone has a motive but we chalk it up as they're crazy because the truth of why is too much for people tbh.

[jshm2]

If you're writing a novel then you're in the wrong place.

Pickup a copy of "Murderous Minds: Exploring the Criminal Psychopathic Brain" By Dean Haycock

[rosemary170]

I'm not very creative, but realistically, most serial killers tend to originate from an abusive background.

[Anonymous]

Usually someone that has killed animals for fun at a young age and then moves on to people as a dare to themselves and then they like how it feels and continue on but with a specific type of person. Sort of like Jeffery Dahmer

[Subarugirl]

Common denominators for most serial killers are physical and sexual abuse as a child.

[Anonymous]

Watch ''you'' on netflix

[In_Trance]

doesn't work that way

[Asker]

Okay?