I was left in awe by Des https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11656892/, the British miniseries based on the crimes of Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen. He was arrested after discovering human remains that were causing a blockage of a drain near his home. Attention-grabbing story portrayed by brilliant actors.
Naturally, I wanted to read a bit more about the true story, and came across this article "Loneliness and Associated Violent Antisocial Behavior: Analysis of the Case Reports of Jeffrey Dahmer and Dennis Nilsen" - DOI:10.1177/0306624X05274898
I felt it offers a fresh perspective on things. It theorises that loneliness plays a significant role in developing and continuing violent, antisocial attitudes and behaviour. By analysing the case reports of two serial killers, Dennis Nilsen and Jeffrey Dahmer it searches for evidence for this link.
It's quite unsettling that most of these people claimed that real friends and bonds probably would have prevented their deviant, violent development.
Can this potential link between loneliness and severe antisocial behaviour be used to prevent some gruesome crimes?
That's a fascinating article thank you for sharing. I've downloaded to keep and refer to.
Understanding the underlying deficits in contact and lonliness could certainly help us grasp why certain crimes were committed.
I should imagine that social changes and outreach programs to those especially in need of connection could definitely prevent a few murders. But I also suggest that there are other underlying genetic or neurological issues since not all individuals with the histories of social deficits go on to murder or employ sadism.