radix@lemmy.world 2 months ago
Not a scientist by any means, but this article (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3767421/) says men have a 3:1 difference in the rate of Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Another: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3920596/
There is compelling evidence from behavioral genetic research that heritable influences are of importance in the development of antisocial behavior; approximately 50% of the total variance in antisocial behavior is explained by genetic influences. Yet, there is also evidence of a large environmental effect, both shared and non-shared environmental influences have been found to explain the remaining half of the variance.
Obviously I don’t mean to suggest that everyone with ASPD is a serial killer, it presents in a number of ways, but it’s hard to imagine a serial killer without some sort of disregard for the value of life. This is probably one of many factors that tilt the scale toward violence being much more associated with men.
GregorGizeh@lemmy.zip 2 months ago
I’d also say the very nature of physically overpowering a person, and/or subduing them to possibly move them to a more convenient location lends itself more to men. I dont think many women can physically overpower another person in a life and death struggle, my spitballed guess is that female serial killer personality types tend to use more indirect or subtle means.
Angels of death come to mind as a more commonly female killer variety.
takeheart@lemmy.world 2 months ago
This is true for serial killers in general though. Murders tend to be premeditated. If you are planning a murder you’ll look for ways to maximize your success and minimize the chance of getting caught. In modern times you don’t have to rely on pure strength; there’s a plethora of workarounds from drugs to guns. The actual desire to end a human life (usual enabled by some form of psychopathy) is the limiting factor. A serial killer personality type doesn’t throw the towel just because they are physically weak.