Homicidal Psychology: Decoding the Roots of Human Violence
Scientifically Reviewed · Dr. Marwa Abd-Alazim · October 17, 2026
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Murder: An Exploration of Psychological and Social Factors
Murder is a heinous crime that has plagued societies for centuries. It is the intentional and unlawful killing of another person. According to the FBI, in 2019 alone, there were 16,425 murder victims in the United States (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2020). Although murder is a crime of violence, it is also deeply rooted in psychological and social factors. This article explores the psychological and social influences on those who commit murder.
Psychological Factors
Psychological factors can play a major role in determining an individual’s propensity for committing murder. Research suggests that individuals who commit murder often have a history of violence, emotional instability, and/or mental illness (Babchishin & Hanson, 2011). Additionally, it has been found that a lack of empathy and a propensity for aggression are strongly associated with violent behavior, including murder (Babchishin & Hanson, 2011). These findings indicate that psychological factors can be linked to an individual’s risk for committing murder.
Social Factors
In addition to psychological factors, social factors can also contribute to an individual’s propensity for committing murder. Research shows that individuals who grow up in poverty, experience abuse or neglect, or live in a violent environment are more likely to commit murder (Krug et al., 2002). Furthermore, it has been found that access to firearms can increase the likelihood of an individual committing murder (Krug et al., 2002). These findings suggest that social factors can have an influence on an individual’s likelihood of committing murder.
Conclusion
Murder is a heinous crime that has plagued societies for centuries. While it is a crime of violence, it is also rooted in psychological and social factors. This article has explored the psychological and social influences on those who commit murder. Research suggests that individuals who commit murder often have a history of violence, emotional instability, and/or mental illness. Additionally, it has been found that individuals who grow up in poverty, experience abuse or neglect, or live in a violent environment are more likely to commit murder. Moreover, access to firearms can also increase the likelihood of an individual committing murder. Understanding the psychological and social influences on those who commit murder can help inform prevention efforts and improve public safety.
References
Babchishin, K. M., & Hanson, R. K. (2011). Exploring the relationship between psychopathy and recidivism among sexual and violent offenders. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 16(2), 278–290. https://doi.org/10.1348/135532510X510319
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2020). Crime in the United States, 2019. Retrieved from https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019
Krug, E. G., Mercy, J. A., Dahlberg, L. L., & Zwi, A. B. (2002). The world report on violence and health. The Lancet, 360(9339), 1083–1088. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11133-2
