Lydia Boinest

English 1102
Assignment 2 Full Draft
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Introduction
Flipping through the television channels now days its 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 Showtimes 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 AM
Comment [1]: uoou explanation of the
show. Intiouuction veiy infoimative.
Lydia Boinest 3/20/14 9:55 AM
Comment [2]: Auus coloi anu
peispective to papei. uoou amount of
uesciiption
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 its next hero. He expands upon Americas
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 AM
Comment [3]: Auu moie citations into the
liteiaiy ieview.
Lydia Boinest 3/20/14 9:47 AM
Comment [4]: Befinition wiong. Look it
up again oi change it. Bas sense of moiality
anu a conscience. No ability to see between
iight anu wiong.
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 Americas 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 AM
Comment [5]: Eithei auu moie about
viueo games oi take it out completely since
the focus is on television
Lydia Boinest 3/20/14 9:50 AM
Comment [6]: Incluue moie about what
Bahmei uiu. Tie what he uiu into
influencing seiial killeis 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
Showtimes 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 Americas curiosity
about murder. Its possible that the interest is from the viewers sympathy for the victims
or the relief they feel that its 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 communitys 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 its next superhero.
Lydia Boinest 3/20/14 9:56 AM
Comment [7]: Awkwaiu flow. Tiy to
shoiten oi 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 AM
Comment [8]: Elaboiate moie on what
violence can uo anu what paients can uo to
pievent theii chiluien fiom being exposeu.
Lydia Boinest 3/20/14 9:59 AM
Comment [9]: Noie examples anu
iesouices shoulu be auueu to this
paiagiaph. This was the main iuea of the
papei so theie shoulu be moie info.
Lydia Boinest 3/20/14 9:58 AM
Comment [10]: Eithei take out oi
elaboiate on viueo games anu violence.
Lydia Boinest 3/20/14 9:58 AM
Comment [11]: Auu a closing paiagiaph.
Not a complete papei. 0se to wiap up the
papei.
Saiah N. Coyne, PhB, Lauia A. Stockuale, NSc, Baviu A. Nelson, PhB, Ashley Fiasei,
BSc. Piofanity in Neuia Associateu With Attituues anu Behavioi Regaiuing
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Eiic u. Robeits. Aie Sociopaths anu Psychopaths one in the same.. 6./ 453$.)&)73
()*+,%&8
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se




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