Exploring the Enigma of Serial Killers

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What do 'Murderabilia' refer to?

Collectibles from horror movies

Collectibles related to murders or violent crimes (correct)

Collectibles from art exhibitions

Collectibles related to famous celebrities

Which serial killer was known as 'Pogo the Killer Clown'?

Peter Sutcliffe

Richard Ramirez

Ted Bundy

John Wayne Gacy (correct)

What does celebrity culture promise in modernity according to the text?

Promote religious beliefs

Liberate people from anonymity and limitations (correct)

Limit the power and control of individuals

Impose class and family restrictions

'Stranger killing' was a term used by police before the term:

'Serial Killer' Signup and view all the answers

What figure is described as the symbol of power and control within modernity?

The rational, masculine subject Signup and view all the answers

How does the text suggest that life projects in medieval society differed from modern society?

Lack of anonymity, mass media, and reason in medieval society Signup and view all the answers

In the context of serial killing, what does the text suggest as a unique feature of modern societies?

Increased anonymity and lack of mass media Signup and view all the answers

Which are main 'modern phenomena' important for discussion on serial killers?

Mass media, anonymity, rationality, and gender patriarchy Signup and view all the answers

How does mass media affect the culture of celebrity according to the text?

Mass media fosters a culture of celebrity Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, what is a staple of consumer culture according to the text?

'Accounts of serial killers' Signup and view all the answers

What does the quote 'As recently as the 1980s serial killers were understood to be a unique recent development' suggest?

Serial killers were only seen as a modern phenomenon in the 1980s. Signup and view all the answers

Why are serial killers often seen as 'the spectacle whose brilliance dazzles us'?

They are portrayed this way to captivate public interest. Signup and view all the answers

What does Haggerty emphasize about understanding serial killing?

Placing it within its social and cultural context. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of historical ontology and identity, how might different individuals differ in their sense of self and life projects?

As a result of societal norms and values. Signup and view all the answers

Why were serial killers in the 1980s often attributed to 'the excesses of a pathological American culture'?

As a reflection of broader societal issues and cultural influences. Signup and view all the answers

Why are serial killers so intriguing to society?

Their actions are often seen as a 'black hole' of unknowable and normal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What role does modernity play in the emergence of serial killing?

Modernity is important in the emergence of serial killing, but the exact impact is not fully understood. Signup and view all the answers

How was Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, eventually caught?

He was apprehended accidentally during a traffic violation. Signup and view all the answers

What makes serial killers appear 'normal' despite their horrific actions?

Despite studies and data, their behavior remains largely inexplicable. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of serial killers adds to their mystique and fascination for society?

Their unpredictability and paradoxical nature. Signup and view all the answers