Which statement accurately describes serial killers' typical psychological profile?

Which statement accurately describes serial killers' typical psychological profile?

• A. They are typically psychotic.
• B. They are not typically psychotic; most have personality disorders and lack empathy.
• C. They always feel remorse.
• D. They never seek publicity.

Answer: (B)

Serial killers are best understood as driven by enduring personality traits rather than by a break from reality. Most evidence points to personality disorders—often antisocial-type patterns—and a marked lack of empathy for victims. This means they can plan, control, and execute crimes with full awareness of what they are doing, rather than experiencing psychosis with delusions or hallucinations. Remorse is not universal; many rationalize their actions or show limited or situational remorse. Some killers do seek notoriety or publicity, but that isn’t a universal trait, so the core idea is that personality pathology and a lack of empathy, not psychosis, best describe the typical profile.

Serial killers are best understood as driven by enduring personality traits rather than by a break from reality. Most evidence points to personality disorders—often antisocial-type patterns—and a marked lack of empathy for victims. This means they can plan, control, and execute crimes with full awareness of what they are doing, rather than experiencing psychosis with delusions or hallucinations. Remorse is not universal; many rationalize their actions or show limited or situational remorse. Some killers do seek notoriety or publicity, but that isn’t a universal trait, so the core idea is that personality pathology and a lack of empathy, not psychosis, best describe the typical profile.