Serial Killers Versus Mass Murderers

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8 pages in length. The erroneous belief that serial killers and mass murderers are one and the same is both common and erroneous; the only distinctive similarity between the two is how they obtain complete and ultimate control over their victims and their own lives just prior to committing the homicides. Besides this single connection, these two types of slayers are quite unique in both a psychosocial and behavioral perspective. Mass murderers typically make one fell swoop upon several victims at a single location while serial killers characteristically murder one victim at a time, are very methodical and wait between killings. Mass murderers often have a bone to pick with society; the notion of mental illness is inherent to his/her personality, an instability that instills lesser public fear because of the 'average Joe' implication. By contrast, serial killers evoke greater fear due to the unknown factor of when and where their next murder will be. Bibliography lists 6 sources.