Lydia Boinest

English 1102

Assignment 2 Full Draft

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Introduction

Flipping through the television channels now days it’s relatively difficult to avoid

viewing aggression, or violence of some sort. Over the past couple of years I have

noticed the growing fad of crime scene, murder mystery shows. One show in particular

that I had seen growing in popularity was Showtime’s “Dexter.” The show exhibits a

seemingly normal guy who behind the scenes is a serial killer. The twist in the show is

that as a serial killer he only will target other serial killers or murderers. This character,

Dexter, is ironically portrayed as heroic in the show. The show is explicitly graphic when

it comes to violence and the crime scenes. One who does not handle blood and gore well

may not want to view the show. I myself often felt nauseous, or found myself squirming

away from the screen at some points. Oddly enough I continued to watch the demented

series, and it continues to grow in popularity as well. I enjoy the show along with many

other viewers. The question that continues to pop up in my head is why do we find these

types of shows so intriguing? How does viewing aggression in the media effect behavior

in the real world? This paper explores the American fascination with serial killers;

specific attention will be given to the increase of television shows focusing on serial

killers, how media can inform violent behavior, and the buying and selling of

memorabilia.

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:38 AMComment [1]: Good$explanation$of$the$show.$Introduction$very$informative.$$

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:55 AMComment [2]: Adds$color$$and$perspective$to$paper.$$Good$amount$of$description$

Literature Review

Gathering my own ideas and theories about why murder is so entertaining via the

media I have decided that it is in relation to violence in the real world. To investigate

why America finds violence so compelling I will discuss the research that I have obtained

in order to expand my knowledge of the subject. The following terms build upon the

inquiry of this paper.

Terms:

Serial killer: One who has murdered more then three people, often based off of a

psychological gratification.

Murderbilia: A token or item that is in relation to a crime scene or murderer.

Sociopathy: A psychological disorder that enables one to see the difference between what

is socially right and wrong. Someone experiencing this condition can have a sense of

morality and a conscience.

Increase of Television Shows Containing Serial Killers

The Hollywood Reporter states that there were seven new television shows containing

serial killers in the year 2013. Thus showing the growing interest in violent media.

Victor L. Smith ironically stated in his article from Taylor & Francis Online that

Americans have chosen a serial killer for it’s next hero. He expands upon America’s

craving for celebrities, and gossip stating that they are the crutch for entertainment. What

could be more juicy of a topic then a murder? He also touches the idea of having a

representation of death makes these shows intriguing. In the show “Dexter” the main

character, Dexter, is diagnosed as a sociopath. A sociopath shows a sense of morality

along with the presence of a conscience, however they lack the sense of right and wrong.

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:54 AMComment [3]: Add$more$citations$into$the$literary$review.$$$

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:47 AMComment [4]: Definition$wrong.$$Look$it$up$again$or$change$it.$$Has$sense$of$morality$and$a$conscience.$$No$ability$to$see$between$right$and$wrong.$

In the show the disorder was somewhat glamorized in making Dexter seem as if he were

more intelligent and superior to those around him. Has America’s mundane life led to the

increase of violence in the media?

How Media Can Inform Violent Behavior

In an experiment on the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics

223 students were used to test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between

aggression and media. The students responded to a questionnaire that showed a positive

correlation between the violence and aggressive behaviors on the media and similarly

reflective behavior. What is usually not acceptable in the community seems to be

exceedingly prevalent in the media. When one views this in mass quantities it can seem

normal or acceptable to use in the real world. How far can one stretch mirrored behavior

from media? The Hollywood Reporter states that there has been several instances where

mock murders and attempts have occurred that were seen on television. From the show

“Dexter” in particular there have been three mock murders and one attempted murder

also mimicking the televised serial killer. A woman who replicated a murder scene from

the show claimed that it looked so easy to do and get away with. I have pulled from this

that the show has false conceptions about murder and how common it is. Producers of

shows containing mass violence claim that viewing them will not have an effect in

promoting violence in the real world. Ironically enough producers also claim that they do

not encourage violent behavior, and that their shows are only reflecting real life.

Statistics have shown that the amounts of murders occurring in the shows are inconsistent

to those committed in real life. In seven seasons of the show “Criminal Minds” there

were over 100 serial killers aired. Within that same time frame the FBI estimated about

40 serial killers in real-life United States. Also, the FBI reported that .2% of crimes

committed are murders whereas a whopping 50% of crimes committed on television are

murders. The overemphasized amount of violence seems to be completely ridiculous. In

these shows it appears that extremely violent crimes occur in daily life when that is not

typically the case. Aside from television violence is often present in video games. Some

games starring serial killers allow you to put yourself in the shoes of one. The killing of

the characters on the games could potentially desensitize one to murder.

The Buying and Selling of Memorabilia

One reason that we know that Americans have an odd interest in murder is the

buying and selling of crime scene memorabilia. This is also often referred to as

“murderbilia.” David Schmid analyzes the interest in this demented American pass time.

He finds that murderbilia is often priced from 300 to 900 dollars an item. These tokens

could be anything from a toenail to a lock of hair. The beginning of mass sell of these

items was on Ebay after the Jeffrey Dahmer case. Dahmer was a real serial killer who

took the lives of an estimated 18 people. After his arrest the bricks from his apartment

were being sold at upwards of 500 dollars a piece. The site decided that the buying and

selling of these items was inappropriate and soon after the start of the selling murderbilia

was banned from Ebay. Majority of the people purchasing these items have been women

whereas the majority of killers have been men. Are people idolizing these killers and

putting them on some sort of high regard? What makes people purchase these items

could be for a number of reasons: idolizing them, wishing they were the killer

themselves, or even admiration for what the killer has done. Aside from murderbilia,

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:54 AMComment [5]: Either$add$more$about$video$games$or$take$it$out$completely$since$the$focus$is$on$television$

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:50 AMComment [6]: Include$more$about$what$Dahmer$did.$$Tie$what$he$did$into$influencing$serial$killers$on$television.$$

there are many other ways in which murder has influence consumer culture. Video

games, literature, and television shows portraying violence have produced t-shirts,

posters, and other items that show violence or gore. A couple of items derived from

Showtime’s “Dexter” include blood spattered pillowcases and coasters.

Entering the Conversation

Television shows including serial killers, violence, and profanity continue to rise

in popularity. I believe that part of the reason for the intrigue is from America’s curiosity

about murder. It’s possible that the interest is from the viewer’s sympathy for the victims

or the relief they feel that it’s not them. Those who have actually viewed a body or

witnessed a murder may not find this type of show to be entertaining. The issue at hand

is: does all of the violence shown in media affect our community’s morals and norms? I

believe that is does in the light that television can be a reflection of real life. If one

becomes too absorbed into a television show, game or literary piece they may find the

violent acts to be normal, then reflect them into real life situations. However, I am not

suggesting that from one watching a murder on television that they are going to go and

commit a murder themselves. I do believe that from the exposure to violence via the

media the affects will include desensitizing viewers to aggressive behavior. I have found

that shows exaggerate violence in a way that does not reflect real life. When one views a

show that is fictional they should keep in mind that it may not be a true example of real

life situations. Killers are glorified and seen as heroic in some shows. Dexter only kills

other serial killers or murderers which makes him seem heroic in the viewers eyes. The

way he goes about killing his victims is inhumane and disturbing. Ironically America has

chosen a monster for it’s next superhero.

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:56 AMComment [7]: Awkward$flow.$Try$to$shorten$or$combine$some$of$these$thoughts.$$

As for the buying and selling of murderabilia, it seems that those purchasing the items

have a demented sense of connection to the killer. It could be that they wish that they

were the killer themselves or that they are living through the killer in idolizing them. I do

not think that I would enjoy having murderers sock hanging on my wall as decoration.

Violent Media

How can we prevent negative outcomes in result of viewing aggressive media? I

think that people should regulate the amount of violence they view in television shows or

video games. Parents should monitor what their children view to make sure they are not

being exposed to violent material. Many televisions have parental control settings so that

parents can regulate what their children watch.

So What?

What makes the issue of violence in the media important? One reason that

growing violence in the media is an issue is because that means impressionable children

are viewing it more. A child who plays many violent video games may be more

aggressive when in school or around peers. Another thing that could be picked up from

media is profanity. Profanity is not generally accepted in the professional world or even

in most social situations. With profanity increasing in the media, it is beginning to seem

more normal. This has a negative effect on the community. As the saying goes,

“monkey see, money do.”

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:49 AMComment [8]: Elaborate$more$on$what$violence$can$do$and$what$parents$can$do$to$prevent$their$children$from$being$exposed.$

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:59 AMComment [9]: More$examples$and$resources$should$be$added$to$this$paragraph.$$This$was$the$main$idea$of$the$paper$so$there$should$be$more$info.$$

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:58 AMComment [10]: Either$take$out$or$elaborate$on$video$games$and$violence.$

Lydia Boinest� 3/20/14 9:58 AMComment [11]: Add$a$closing$paragraph.$Not$a$complete$paper.$$Use$to$wrap$up$the$paper.$

Sarah$M.$Coyne,$PhD,$Laura$A.$Stockdale,$MSc,$David$A.$Nelson,$PhD,$Ashley$Fraser,$BSc.$$Profanity$in$Media$Associated$With$Attitudes$and$Behavior$Regarding$Profanity$Use$and$Aggression.$Official'Journal'Of'the'American'Acadamy'of'Pediatrics.$http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/5/867.short$$

Eric$G.$Roberts.$$Are$Sociopaths$and$Psychopaths$one$in$the$same?.$The'Psychology'Journal.'http://psychologystandard.com/sociopathsVpsychopathsVone/$$

Brad$J.$Bushman,$L.$Rowell$Huesmann.$$Effects$of$Televised$Violence$on$Agression.$Handbook'of'Children'and'the'Media.$$223V245.$$$http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dR_aAAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=serial+killers&ots=87VCcjKgsh&sig=bZTmr0cXkaEC24DC4aWHQ59uz7k#v=onepage&q=serial%20killers&f=false$$$

Battin, Richard. "Why Are We so Fascinated with Murder and Serial Killers?"Examiner.com. Examiner, 4 July 2009. http://www.examiner.com/article/whyVareVweVsoVfascinatedVwithVmurderVandVserialVkillers$$

Donovan,$Patricia.$“America’s$Facination$with$Murder.”$UB$Reporter,$6$Septermber$2007.$http://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/archive/vol39/vol39n2/articles/SchmidMurder.html$$$

Donnelly,$Ashley$M.$$“The$New$American$Hero:$Dexter,$Serial$Killer$for$the$Masses.”$The'journal'of'Popular'Culture.'February'2012.'''http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1540V5931.2011.00908.x/abstract$$

Schmid,$David.$$“Natural$Born$Celebrities:$Serial$Killers$in$America”.$2005.$http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=a_GwiSGfZFoC&oi=fnd&pg=PR4&dq=fascination+of+serial+killers&ots=nWrM1crduv&sig=nRnOHIB-waNN_xFY9tvxNM4qLSI#v=onepage&q=fascination%20of%20serial%20killers&f=false $

Bond, Paul. "Study: TV's Newest Obsession Is Serial Killers." The Hollywood Reporter. N.p., 28 June 2013. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/serialVkillersVtvsVnewestVobsessionV577337$$

Jarvis, Brian. "Monsters INC.: Serial Killers and Consumer Culture."Sagepublications.com. N.p., 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. http://cmc.sagepub.com/content/3/3/326.full.pdf+html

Smith, Victor L. "Our Serial Killers, Our Superheros, and Ourselves: Showtime's Dexter." Taylor & Frances Online. N.p., 15 Sept. 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10509200902820688$$