Toni Lane, 2016, p.

1
Why do Americans love those who kill?

Introduction
Over recent years there has been an emergence of television shows starring serial killers.
Not only have these shows flourished, the serial killers within them have become sensations.
These types of shows are often nominated for, and receive, many awards including Emmys.
Such shows have had numerous popular seasons and many fans cringe at the idea of there being
a series finale. I might have a serial obsession with shows involving serial killers; and crazily,
you may too.

Commented [1]: Over all I think this paper is

exceptional. You touched on some really good areas.
Your paper was very interesting and hooks the reader
the entire time. I didn't get bored at all. I think your
study is interesting too. It will serve a really good
purpose trying to figure out why we do like such
gruesome things.
Commented [2]: These sentences are very short and
compact. In some instances this a great way to
approach it, and for an introduction they are really a
nice way to introduce topics. For this though, i wish
these were either extended or connected together to
give a more detailed grabbing paragraph. Your just
lacking the details, otherwise you're doing great!
Commented [3]: I really like how you ended this
paragraph. It really hooks the reader into the paper.
Good job!

American Horror Story has a new serial killer featured in every season. The serial killer
is not the main character but you can always count on a new one every season. This serial killer
character is featured throughout the whole season and plays a big role in every season. Criminal
Minds has serial killers featured all throughout the series. Criminal Minds has featured over 100
serial killers within seven seasons. The show often allows viewers to watch serial killers kill and
figure out how they got caught. It also often allows the viewer to figure out why the killer did it.
Bates Motel is a show about the notorious serial killer Norman Bates. Bates Motel shows the

Commented [4]: In this section i saw that you had

started two sentences back to back with the same
word, why not instead combine the sentences into one
so that you do not sound redundant. Repitition in
writting can through a reader of and decrease the flow
of the paper as whole. This section would flow more
cohesively if you found a better way of using these two
sentences.

viewers Normans upbringing, and how that played a part into the sociopath he became. The
show follows the process into what turns him into the serial killer he was in the movie Psycho.
Dexter is a show about a serial killer who kills serial killers. This show allows viewers to see
serial killers outside of the killing aspect and involved in actual life. It also leaves viewers with
the decision as to fall in love with Dexter or want him punished for his crimes.

Commented [5]: I like how you talk about other types

of shows that have a serial killer in them. I think that
these would serve a better purpose in the literature
review though.

Toni Lane, 2016, p.2

Why do Americans love those who kill?
I personally find myself binging on three out of four of the shows listed. I am sure that if
I got a hold of the show Dexter, I would binge on it, right along with my other favorites. In that
aspect I am a bit biased I also really want to know myself why I am obsessed with these horrific
shows. People, including myself, seem to have fell in love with shows, featuring psychopathic

Commented [6]: This sentence should be rewordded.

It seems that when i am reading through that it like
stopped me from moving forward and truely focusing
on the rest of your work. I feel that by making this flow
better you will grab the reader more, and instead on
start slow, will slingshot your ideas through to the end
of the paper.

criminals, and more specifically the psychopath himself. The question is why? Why are
Americans and the media so obsessed with mass murders? What is it that makes Americans love
the television shows featuring these monsters? In order to address these questions, I will
develop a study which measures viewer identification and interest in serial killer characters. In
fact, I could be one of the people within my own study; that are obsessed with these kinds of
television shows.
Literature Review
The movie Silence of the Lambs featured a regular, one bath, four car garage, 1910,

Commented [7]: Again, this needs to flow better. Try

speaking this out loud to yourself to hear exactly how it
would sound when someone is reading. The flow of the
paper keeps the audiences attention, halfway through
this, i just wanted to stop reading, and Dexter is one of
my favorite shows! A nice trick to keep this from
happening, is again reading your paper aloud to
yourself. It sounds silly, feels silly, but it's effective in
giving your paper the flow it needs. -Tyler

Princess Anne home. The house was the home of Buffalo Bill, a serial killer in the movie Silence
of the Lambs; whose main character is Dr. Hannibal Lector, another notorious serial killer.
Buffalo Bills home from the 1991 thriller Silence of the Lambs; is now on the market for
300,000 dollars, without the dungeon, because of its brief spotlight within the film. (Booker,
2015) Dexter, a serial killer who kills serial killers, seems to be Americas new hero. The show
was so popular it was even syndicated by CBS in 2008. Audiences perceive Dexter as a social
worker rather than serial killer, and people even go as far to get Dexter pillow cases, bobble
heads, even body part earrings. Fans also play Dexter body toss games on the website. Amy Lau
and Johnny Grey even designed a Dexter inspired dining room with blood splattered all over it.
(Donnelly, 2012)

Commented [8]: This would be an awesome topic to

reasearch, i would really like to know why he was such
a hit. Was it the fact that he was a serial killer of serial
killers or just a nice cunning character?

Toni Lane, 2016, p.3

Why do Americans love those who kill?
Michael C. Hall is the actor who plays Dexter. Dexter presented its six season final on
Dec. 18.; and was renewed for two more seasons, which would make it eight seasons running.
Hall does not believe him or fans, would want to see Dexter behind bars or even on trial for his
mass murders. (NPR, 2011) Norman Bates is a serial killer from Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic,
Psycho. Dr. Justin Frank has a notion on to why society never could shake Norman Bates. Frank
believes its the kill that makes us loves Norman Bates. Frank stated "People are excited by
people who don't just yell, 'Kill the umpire!' but actually do kill the umpire. And I think there's
something about that that makes him enduring also." (Breslow, 2008)
Charlie Cullen is one of the most prolific serial killers in the nation. Charles Graeber, a
journalist, spent six years investigating Cullens case. Graeber wrote a book called The Good
Nurse based on the research he received from and about Charlie Cullen pertaining to his life.
(Interviews, 2013) Jack the Ripper was a serial killer in London in 1888. Jack the Ripper was
one man who was able to shock everyone worldwide, and was also able to terrorize the whole
nation. (Mudgett, 2015) News channels are interested more in crimes and murders than other
news. Television news programs want to scare viewers and make them feel as hopeless as
possible; because they believe it will make viewers more likely to watch the news. News rooms
are obsessed with crime and death and try to incorporate that into the news as much as possible,
even if it is fabricated. (Laing, 2015) American Horror Story: Coven could not make it to the
second episode without introducing its serial killer. (Lane, 2016) Within the interview I
conducted, when asked who the interviewees favorite character was, she picked Madison
Montgomery; a character who killed a bus full of boys within the first episode. (Lane, 2016) The
66th Primetime Emmy awards presented by The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences,

Commented [9]: You talked about Dexter and Norman

in the introduction as well as in the literature review.
This seems like it's repeating itself a little bit. I think you
should just talk about it here.

Toni Lane, 2016, p.4

Why do Americans love those who kill?
awarded a lot of shows featuring serial killers with Emmys. For example, American Horror
Story: Coven, FX, was awarded two Emmys. Also Sherlock: His Last Vow, FX, received three
Emmys. (The Associated Press, 2014)
Entering The Conversation
Method:
For this Study I will conduct a survey. This survey will include 16 willing participants
who have heard of or watched the following shows, American Horror Story, Bates Motel,
Dexter, and Criminal Minds. Before the survey I will interview each participant to give me a
better understanding of how their life relates to the way in which they answer the survey
questions. I will use four female students and four male students from UWRT 1104 courses.
This would be called a cross-sectional study in Psychology, because the people within share the
characteristic of age, but vary in other characteristics. All of these subjects come from different

Commented [10]: I'm a little confused why you have

interview questions and survey questions. I don't know
if "what people having to do in their free time" would
really have a drastic change in the way they answer the
survey questions. I think you should talk a little bit more
about why you're surveying and interviewing them.

backgrounds and where brought to college for different reasons; but everyone has to take this
course and most people tend to take this course their freshman year.
The interview questions will be:
1. Have you watched or heard of American Horror Story, Bates Motel, Dexter, and
Criminal Minds?
2. Where are you from?
3. What is your major?
4. Do you find yourself as an optimistic or pessimistic person, why?
5. What types of films do you prefer and why?

Commented [11]: I don't think you really need this in

your paper. It seems a little irrelevant and even though
you explained what a cross-sectional study is people
who haven't taken a psychology class might not really
understand it.

Toni Lane, 2016, p.5

Why do Americans love those who kill?
6. When watching movies do you normally find yourself rooting for the good guy or
the bad guy?
7. What do you like to do in your free time?
8. How old are you?
9. Have you ever watched or heard of American Horror Story, Bates Motel, Dexter,
and Criminal Minds?
10. Are you a female or male?
The survey questions will be:
1. Which of the following televisions shows do you prefer the most?
a. Bates Motel
b. American Horror Story
c. Criminal Minds
d. Dexter
2. Who is your favorite scary movie serial killer?
a. Norman Bates
b. Hannibal Lector
c. Michael Myers
d. Freddy
e. Jason
3. Which movie genre do you prefer?
a. Exploitation
b. Grind House

Commented [12]: Although I don't think you need both

interview and survey questions you did a remarkable
job with each one.

Toni Lane, 2016, p.6

Why do Americans love those who kill?
c. Thriller
d. Horror
4. How did you become aware of the shows listed?
a. Commercials
b. Peers / Friends
c. Social Media
d. Award Shows
5. When you do watch these shows is it via:
a. Netflix
b. Streaming
c. Television
d. Applications
6. Rate your importance of watching such television shows from 1-5; with 1 being
lowest and 5 the highest:
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
7. How often do you watch such television shows?
a. Weekly (episode premiere)
b. Binge

Toni Lane, 2016, p.7

Why do Americans love those who kill?
c. When others are watching it
d. Only in free time
8. How do you feel about the gore within shows such as American Horror Story?
a. Extremely unconformable
b. A little bothered
c. Mutual
d. Find it a little interest
e. Favorite Part
9. Which aspect of serial killing are you more interested:
a. Up bring of serial killers
b. Why serial killer kill
c. What serial killers do when they are not killing?
d.

The Fascination of the kill

Analysis:
Once I conducted my research I would then check for any correlations between the
interview questions, and the way in which participants answered the survey questions. My
interview will be in video form so myself and other researches will be able to recall firsthand
how the participants answered the questions. I will then watch the video and make a transcript so
researchers will also be able to read the interview. The survey process will be on paper. Within
my research I will be looking for the differences between the answers of female and male
participants. I also will look at how peoples background play a role in the type of answers they
gave on the survey. For instance, if a participant has a major in the medical field that would be a

Toni Lane, 2016, p.8

Why do Americans love those who kill?
reason for them to be interested in Dexter. I will also be attentive of the level of importance the
participants put into watching such shows.
My data will be coded according to the following:

CM: Participant picked Criminal Minds because they indicate they are more interested in

why the killer does it and how they get the kill done.

BM: The participants who picked Bates Motel indicate interest in the upbringing of serial

killers, and how their life plays into triggering the killings.

AMS: Participants that pick American Horror Story have more interest in the gore and

violence of the kill.

Participants fond of Dexter tend to love Dexter himself; this show gives fans a reason to

actually love serial killers without discernment.

Conclusion
Though I have not conducted a study I image that there are interesting underlying reasons
people are obsessed with serial killers. The research I would have conducted would have shined
light on a new trend many Americans are a part of and do not even realize it. People have found
this new found love/ obsession for serial killer characters within the media. This obsession is
almost as bizarre as the act in itself, because why are people so obsessed with people that kill
other people. Over the years Americans have become more desensitized to violence this is not
only in television shows but also in the real live news; this goes to show how American culture
has changed over time. Even taking a look at the difference of the killings between the 1960

Commented [13]: What do the abbreviations mean?

CM, BM, AMS? I think you should write out what they
mean because to someone who doesn't know what this
is it could be quite confusing.
Commented [14]: I assume these abbreviations stand
for the shows. I think for it to be less confusing you
should write out the name and then put the letters in
parenthesis.

Toni Lane, 2016, p.9

Why do Americans love those who kill?
movie Psycho, and the 2013 show Bates Motel; which feature the same character just the movies
are in different time zones, the features of the kill are juristically different.
My study would have shined light on the reason that Americans have this new found love
for serial killer characters. Also it would have allowed me to find correlations between certain

Commented [15]: You tend to repeat this phrase a lot

throughout your paper. Try switching it up a little bit.

television shows involving serial killers and the aspects that people like about them. Another
finding would include which gender was more susceptible to watch certain shows pertaining
serial killers. In addition, I would take the interview questions into consideration, and compare
peoples backgrounds to their answers relating to serial killers; leading me to why each
participant is interested in each serial killer or show in particular.
There are a lot of things other researchers would be able to take away from my research.

Commented [16]: As you talk more about your study I

feel like it would serve a better purpose in the Entering
the Conversation part of this paper rather than the
Conclusion.

The research I looked at all circled around peoples obsessions with serial killers some without
evening knowing it. Many articles are about people actions, like the action of watching a show
about serial killers and then decorating your house in dedication to that made up serial killer.
People are very complex beings and my research looks deeper into why they like the things they
do. Other researchers could conduct studies regarding what effect binging on shows revolved
around serial killers have on certain peoples everyday lives. Also they could conduct a study
looking into why which gender was more susceptible to certain television shows. Some
researchers could even go as far to look at why American culture has changed so much in

Commented [17]: I think a good study would be first

recording the effects of people that do binge watch
shows, any shows. Then write down the effects that
that has on people's everyday lives. Then conduct a
study on people that binge watch serial killer
shows/movies and record the effects of their life. Are
their differences? similarities?

regards to violence based off the ideas of my research. My research would be a stepping stone
into how Americans can love those who kill and even want them to get away with it.

Commented [18]: I think you should add a little more

to the end of the conclusion. Find a way to really wrap
up the paragraph instead of ending with this sentence.

Toni Lane, 2016, p.10

Why do Americans love those who kill?

References
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$300K. Retrieved March 14, 2016, from http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwoway/2015/08/19/432713458/killer-deal-silence-of-the-lambs-home-hits-market-for-300k
Breslow, P. (2008, July 1). Norman Bates: A Most Terrifying Mama's Boy. Retrieved March 16,
2016, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91947125
Cornish, A. (2013, April 15). Pretending To Be A 'Good Nurse,' Serial Killer Targeted Patients.
Retrieved March 14, 2016, from http://www.npr.org/2013/04/15/177029738/pretendingto-be-a-good-nurse-serial-killer-targeted-patients

Toni Lane, 2016, p.11

Why do Americans love those who kill?
Donnelly, A. M. (2012, February 22). The New American Hero: Dexter, Serial Killer for the
Masses. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from
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Laing | TEDxMacquarieUniversity. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from
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Hall, C. Michael: (2011, December 12). Playing A Killer Role On 'Dexter.' Retrieved March 14,
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Mudgett, J. (2015, January 16). The unsolved mystery of Jack the Ripper | Jeff Mudgett |
TEDxVancouver. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from
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Reporter, D. M. (2013, June 29). Serial killers are TV's newest obsession as new shows featuring
cold-blooded killers rise in number, study reveals. Retrieved March 25, 2016, from

Toni Lane, 2016, p.12

Why do Americans love those who kill?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2351730/Serial-killers-TVs-newest-obsessionnew-shows-featuring-cold-blooded-killers-rise-number-study-reveals.html
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2016, from http://www.npr.org/2014/08/25/343296131/the-list-of-winners-at-the-emmys