Citation

Willmott D, Boduszek D, Robinson R. J. Forensic Psychiatry Psychol. 2018; 29(3): 498-507.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/14789949.2017.1416658

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper looks briefly at the case study of Russian sexual serial killer Andrei Chikatilo. Whilst serial homicide has received wide ranging attention more broadly in the literature, Chikatilo's criminality and sexually deviant behaviour have thus far lacked any in-depth psychological explanation, with his crimes attributed tentatively to dysfunction upbringing and innate deviance. However, based on theoretical arguments presented in the present investigation, a more detailed account of what may have contributed to the development of such extreme sexual violence and cognitive distortions is discussed. Consideration of psychodynamic and behaviourist perspectives lead to the conclusion that a complex interaction of biological, psychological and sociological factors may account for the onset and continuation of his homicidal behaviour.

Language: en

Keywords

behaviourism; displaced aggression; operant conditioning; psychodynamic; Serial killing; sexual violence