Holmes And The Causes Of Deviance

The term ‘serial killer’ was established in the 1970s to signify the unfamiliar form of murder, where the individual takes psychological gratification in taking multiple lives. Throughout history the world has confronted a countless amount of horrifying serial killers, but the real question is: who was the first? Herman Webster Mudgett, or more infamously known as H.H. Holmes, was one of the first documented serial killers in America. It is estimated he has murdered approximately 200 people, nine confirmed and twenty-seven confessed. He was also a successful con-artist and he even stole cadavers from hospitals. His most terrifying acts of murder occurred at the World’s Fair Hotel in Chicago; bought and renovated for murderous purposes, this
One must ponder, how an individual can cause so much carnage and still show apathy towards the lives he takes. The primary cause of Holmes’ extreme social deviance is the influence of both nature and nurture. An application of the concepts of the psychological perspective of individual behaviour, the psychological perspective of aggression & violence, and the sociological perspective of aggression will be used to prove that both nature and nurture are the primary causes of H.H. Holmes’ extreme deviance.

The importance of considering the psychological perspective of individual behaviour and the many theories involved in this topic is critical when analyzing Holmes. As his past behaviour can explain why he acts deviant in society. Erik Erikson was a neo-Freudian researcher who created the stages of psychological development. In order for an individual to be mentally health, they must meet these stages at the appropriate age. If they are not met then the individual may suffer mentally in the future. His theory also states that individuals face identity crises in their teen years, and if they are not resolved then the individual’s self-esteem may become low and cause one to do dangerous things for attention. Holmes was born into a
As explained before, an application of the concepts of the psychological perspective of individual behaviour, the psychological perspective of aggression & violence, and the sociological perspective of aggression were used to prove this statement. Nevertheless, Holmes had murdered many people and it was only right that he got what he deserved. He was put on trial for his crimes and he was hanged for his murders on May 7th 1896 in Moyamensing Prison, Pennsylvania USA. Before his execution he stated, “I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than a poet help the inspiration to sing..I was born with the evil one standing as my sponsor beside the bed where I ushered into the world, and he has been with me since.” (Dr.H.H.