An investigation into the potential romantic appeal of convicted killers

It is not uncommon for convicted killers to receive letters and visits from women hoping to win their affection. This behavior is puzzling, as evolutionary theory would posit that attraction to murderers runs counter to people's survival instincts. To date, however, no research has been conducted to investigate this phenomenon. The goals of the present studies were to determine whether characteristics of killers that women have evolved to find attractive (i.e., fame and dominance) make them appealing to women, and whether women with certain personality characteristics are more likely to find a killer attractive. Results showed that fame was a characteristic that appealed to women, but that dominance was not. Also, women higher in sensation seeking and attachment avoidance with their fathers were more likely to find the killer attractive. Women higher in attachment anxiety with their fathers were less likely to find the killer attractive. Self-esteem, attachment avoidance with romantic partner, and attachment anxiety with romantic partner were not related to attraction.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Vicary, Amanda

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fraley, R.C.
• Roberts, Brent W.
• Cohen, Dov

• homicide
• attraction
• serial killers
• murder

Statement dc:rights

• 2011 © Amanda Vicary

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/26208

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/26208