Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers: Why They Kill

by Katherine Ramsland

The idea that a person might suddenly snap and slaughter large numbers of people has become part of our cultural understanding through events such as the Columbine High School massacre and the D.C. Sniper case. But this image of the sudden turn from ordinary citizen, quiet neighbor, or non-descript teenager to mass murderer is generally false. People who go out one day and kill innocent people or supposed enemies have typically thought about it, planned it, and even mentioned it to others before they actually do it―and the act is usually the result of a buildup of stress and frustration. Here, Katherine Ramsland, a seasoned crime writer, examines true stories of mass murder and reveals the complexity behind the development of a mass killer. She provides common signals, based on actual cases, that will help readers identify warning signs and understand the various psychological factors that may lead a person to kill.

Since the first recorded U.S. case of mass murder in 1949, massacres have been increasing each decade, with workplace violence taking the lead as the most common form. The psychology of the killers, however, differs from that of spree, serial, or situational murderers. The red flags of a developing mass killer are obvious and predictable, Ramsland argues, and people who learn to recognize them may be able to defuse a potentially violent situation before it occurs. Using details from various cases, the author examines the different kinds of mass murders, from visionary to family to workplace, and the distinct psychological dynamics of the different types of murders. This essential book exposes the inner world of mass murderers and dismantles the stereotypes we hold about them.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Psychology, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I've loved books since I was 3, and the library was a highlight of my childhood. I've been fortunate to be able to find great joy in what others have written and sometimes to give this to readers. I follow my own muse, because it leads me on interesting adventures. I began my writing career with "Prism of the Night: A Biography of Anne Rice." I had a bestseller with "The Vampire Companion." Since then, I've published 69 books and over 2,500 articles, reviews and short stories. I have also been an executive producer for "Murder House Flip" and "BTK: Confession of a Serial Killer." From ghosts to vampires to serial killers, I have taken on a variety of dark subjects, mostly in crime and forensics. I hold graduate degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminal justice, creative writing and philosophy. Currently, I teach forensic psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University. My books include "I Scream Man," "How to Catch a Killer", "Confession of a Serial Killer", "The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds", "The Mind of a Murderer", "The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation", "Inside the Minds of Serial Killers", "Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators", and "Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers". My background in forensic studies positioned me to assist former FBI profiler John Douglas on his book, "The Cases that Haunt Us", and to co-write a book with former FBI profiler, Gregg McCrary, "The Unknown Darkness", as well as "Spree Killers" with Mark Safarik, "The Real Life of a Forensic Scientist" with Henry C. Lee, and "A Voice for the Dead" with James Starrs. I speak internationally about forensic psychology, forensic science, and serial murder, and has appeared on numerous documentaries, as well as such programs as The Today Show, 20/20, 48 Hours, NPR, Dr. Oz, Coast to Coast, Montel Williams, Larry King Live and E! True Hollywood. Currently, I'm working on a fiction series, The Nut Cracker Investigations, which features a female forensic psychologist who manages a PI agency. "I Scream Man" is the first one.

Reviews

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In essence, Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers: Why They Kill is a popular “quasi-psychology” title. The book delves not so much into the cognitive aspects as to what makes a person go on a murderous rampage, but retells various news articles in which such incidents took place.

The book basically breezes through many specific (yet different) incidents as a way of illustrating a point, though the point itself is given even lighter treatment than the case studies. In fact, 9/11 is given the same basic treatment as the 1991 Luby's Cafeteria killings in Texas (although the scale of both massacres was vastly different).

As far as being well-written, there is no question that Katherine Ramsland's effort was copiously researched (through seemingly exclusive use of other pre-written materials such as nonfiction books and newspaper/magazine articles). This is in diffidence of the book's presumably intended purpose – to examine why such people can live amongst us in society, and what subsequently drives them to act out on these violent impulses. Of course, since there are no definitive “rules” in the realm of the law or in medicine, it would be likewise unrealistic to expect these answers from such a slender book as this. However, Ramsland states that such popular scapegoats as violent television and video games leads a person into the ability to “dehumanize” murder, and with the added access to weaponry, connects up with the making of a mass murderer.

Issues regarding the prevention of such future attacks are detailed very moderately, including the ability to “predict” such attacks (based upon threats, past behaviours, and current lifestyles), but the author also makes it clear that such predictions would be based on limited, incomplete knowledge and an obvious bias in the face of “profiling.”

We may never know, indeed, “Why They Kill.” Though this book takes readers no closer to understanding the issue, it does succeed in providing a coherent, readable account of many of the more infamous cases within the past 100+ years.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My undergraduate minor was in psychology and I've always been fascinated in WHY people do the things they do. Is it genetics? Is it upbringing? Is it a brain malfunction? Is it something else? So I tend to collect books like this to see what the latest findings are. I've had this one for awhile - I've been more interested in serial killers - but the recent killings in Orlando made me bring this out and read it.

Ramsland teaches forensic psychology so is in a good position to give some insight. The book was published in 2005, however, so it misses some of the current research and cases. But what she does mention is well-documented and well parsed. Not only does she show cases from single killers (the McDonald's killer, Richard Speck, Columbine) but she includes incidents we might not always consider mass murders: Jonestown in Guyana, Aum Shinrikyo, Heaven's Gate. Some of the incidents are not familiar to Americans; one is a cult in Canada with mass murder/suicide of members in Switzerland and France.

The emphasis in the book is on the cases. Reasons and mindsets are given, but it's hard to say this is really a research book. What finally comes out is that we don't know, which is what we all know.

But, some characteristics play a part in all of the cases she details: someone who feels the world (or a particular person) treats them unfairly and needs to get even; someone intensely preoccupied by violence, someone who has a low frustration level, an excessive need for attention, intolerance and rigidity, suspiciousness and paranoia.

Over and over we see these killings and over and over we say "we should have known." Perhaps we should. Perhaps parents, friends, and neighbors need to be more observant, share their feelings with each other or professionals, whatever.

We'll never stop them. It's impossible. There's always a way to kill.

But there is one word that stuck in my mind about the weapons used by nearly all of the individuals who commit mass murder: semi-automatic.

[Codepoetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the stories of many mass murders, and slots those killers into different categories such as religious cults, familicide, workplace grudges, and vengeance. After each chapter, Ramsland examines the psychological aspects of each crime. On balance, I would say that most of the book is devoted to the stories of mass killings rather than to the psychology of mass killings.

[Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good and interesting

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good non fiction book to read, in your spare time, if you are interested in criminal activity and the psychology behind it.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book that talks about various mass murderers.