The Michael Shermer Show The Psychology of Serial Killers
Dr. Rachel Toles, a licensed forensic psychologist known for her work on trauma and addiction, explores the dark psychology behind infamous killers. She discusses the intersection of childhood trauma and violent behavior, analyzing notorious figures like Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez Brothers. Toles reveals her proprietary formula for understanding evil, debunking stereotypes about psychopathy. The conversation dives into societal influences, the nature of accountability, and why ordinary people can commit horrific acts, leaving listeners both disturbed and enlightened.
01:59:07
Early Fascination with Death
- Rachel Toles's interest in death began at age five after witnessing a girl's death.
- This occurred after working on a film set with simulated death, blurring reality and fiction.
Horror and Mortality
- People are drawn to horror to confront their fear of the unknown, particularly death.
- The realization of mortality is a significant betrayal experienced in childhood.
Serial Killer Studies
- There are more people studying serial killers than actual serial killers, highlighting the public's fascination.
- The peak of serial killings was in 1981, coinciding with societal shifts.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Fascination with Darkness
01:58 • 10min
Unraveling the Mind of a Killer
12:00 • 30min
Unraveling the Psychology Behind Serial Killers
42:06 • 5min
Understanding Evil: The Psychology of Serial Killers
46:39 • 16min
Beauty, Crime, and the Menendez Brothers
01:03:02 • 11min
The Dark Allure of Charles Manson
01:14:06 • 11min
Understanding the Roots of Violence and Mental Health
01:25:33 • 4min
Understanding Human Darkness
01:29:40 • 15min
Exploring Age Dynamics in Relationships
01:44:32 • 15min
Excited Coordination for Future Engagements
01:59:26 • 2min
The Lucifer Effect
Understanding How Good People Turn Evil
Philip Zimbardo
In this book, Philip Zimbardo delves into the psychological and social factors that lead good people to engage in evil behavior.
The book is centered around Zimbardo's famous Stanford Prison Experiment, where students were assigned roles as prisoners and guards, leading to disturbing outcomes.
It also examines other historical and contemporary examples, such as the Abu Ghraib prison abuses, to illustrate how situational and systemic forces can transform individuals.
Zimbardo argues that humans are neither inherently good nor evil but are shaped by their circumstances.
The book explores concepts like deindividuation, dehumanization, and the evil of inaction, and concludes by discussing the concept of heroism and how individuals can resist negative situational influences.
Ordinary Men
Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland
Christopher R. Browning
This book by Christopher R. Browning examines the actions of Reserve Police Battalion 101, a unit of the German Order Police, during World War II. The battalion was responsible for mass shootings and round-ups of Jewish people for deportation to Nazi death camps in Poland in 1942.
Browning argues that the men of this unit were not fanatical Nazis but ordinary middle-aged, working-class men who committed these atrocities due to group dynamics of conformity, deference to authority, role adaptation, and the altering of moral norms.
The book is based on postwar interrogations of former members of the battalion and provides a detailed and chilling glimpse into how ordinary men were transformed into active participants in the Holocaust.
Without Conscience
The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us
Robert D. Hare, PhD
This book provides a detailed portrait of psychopaths, including their lack of remorse, empathy, and responsibility.
It covers various aspects such as their lifestyle, criminal behavior, and the inability to reform them.
Dr. Hare draws from his extensive research to explain how psychopaths operate, how they can be recognized, and the significant social and economic damage they cause.
The book also includes practical advice on how to protect oneself from psychopaths and discusses the ethical and societal implications of dealing with this condition.
Love's Executioner
And Other Tales of Psychotherapy
Irvin Yalom
Irvin Yalom's "Love's Executioner" is a collection of essays that explores the complexities of the therapeutic relationship.
Yalom, a renowned psychiatrist, shares his insights and experiences, offering a profound look into the human condition.
The essays delve into themes of love, death, meaning, and the search for authenticity.
Yalom's writing is both insightful and engaging, making complex psychological concepts accessible to a wider audience.
The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in psychotherapy, existentialism, or the human experience.
HELTER SKELTER
The True Story of the Manson Murders
Curt Gentry
Vincent Bugliosi
This book provides a comprehensive and gripping narrative of the Manson Family murders, including the Tate-LaBianca killings, and the trial that followed.
Bugliosi's insider perspective as the prosecutor offers unique insights into the investigation, the psychology of Charles Manson and his followers, and the legal processes involved.
The book has become the best-selling true crime book in history and has had a significant impact on popular culture and legal practices.
When Nietzsche Wept
A Novel of Obsession
Irvin D. Yalom
Set in 19th-century Vienna, the novel blends fact and fiction to tell the story of Josef Breuer, one of the founding fathers of psychoanalysis, and his therapeutic sessions with Friedrich Nietzsche.
The story revolves around Breuer's experimental 'talking cure' and how it affects both Breuer and Nietzsche as they delve into their unconscious desires and fears.
The novel explores the intellectual and philosophical atmosphere of the era and the redemptive power of friendship and therapeutic relationships.
Why we snap
Understanding the Rage Circuit in Your Brain
R. Douglas Fields
In this book, R. Douglas Fields, PhD, reveals the neuroscience behind why people suddenly snap into violent or aggressive behavior, even if they have no history of violence or mental illness.
He details nine triggers that can engage the rage circuit in the brain and explains how these triggers are rooted in our evolutionary heritage but often mismatched with modern society.
The book also explores how the same brain pathways that lead to violent outbursts can also enable heroic and altruistic actions.
Fields provides practical advice on recognizing and managing these triggers to promote social harmony and personal well-being.
Evil
Inside Human Violence and Cruelty
Roy Baumeister
In this book, Roy F. Baumeister explores the concept of evil by considering the perspectives of perpetrators rather than victims.
He delves into the gap between the victim's and perpetrator's viewpoints and analyzes the roots of evil behavior, including egotism, revenge, idealism, and sadism.
The book discusses how ordinary people can engage in violent and cruel acts, the mechanisms that lead individuals to commit evil deeds, and the ways in which society can restrain or facilitate such behavior.
Baumeister also examines the role of factors like material gain, threatened egotism, idealism, and sadistic pleasure in the perpetration of evil.
The anatomy of violence
The Biological Roots of Crime
Adrian Raine
In 'The Anatomy of Violence,' Adrian Raine presents a comprehensive analysis of the biological factors that contribute to violent behavior.
The book delves into the interplay of genetics, brain structures, and neurochemistry, highlighting how these elements can predispose individuals to aggression and violence.
Raine discusses groundbreaking research, including neuroimaging studies and genetic findings, such as the role of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene.
He also explores the ethical implications of attributing violent behavior to biological factors, challenging traditional notions of moral responsibility and free will.
The book includes case studies and historical context, making it a detailed and thought-provoking examination of the complex underpinnings of violence.
The Murderer Next Door
Why the Mind Is Designed to Kill
David Buss
In 'The Murderer Next Door', David M. Buss presents a bold new general theory of homicide from an evolutionary psychology perspective.
The book delves into the underlying motives and circumstances of murders, from serial killers to ordinary individuals who commit homicide.
Buss argues that the human psyche has evolved specialized adaptations whose function is to kill, and he explains the high-risk situations that can push anyone over the edge.
The book features gripping storytelling about specific murder cases and includes findings from extensive studies, including an investigation of homicidal fantasies and detailed analyses of murder data.
Wink Wink Nudge Nudge
Sexual Exploits and Secrets from Inside a Sugar Daddy Website
Brook Urick
This book is a memoir and exposé that follows Brook Urick's journey working behind the scenes at SeekingArrangement, a notorious sugar daddy website, while also navigating her own life as a sugar baby.
The story exposes the dark side of these websites, including their role in sex trafficking and exploitation.
Brook's narrative parallels her unusual relationship history with her career ascension, revealing the pressures from a controversial CEO and the confusion of her own misguided sex work.
The book highlights the insidious prominence of these websites in modern society and questions why they are not being investigated despite laws like FOSTA-SESTA holding them criminally responsible for facilitating the internet sex trade.
Dr. Rachel Toles, a licensed forensic psychologist, delves into the psychology of criminals, addressing the motivations behind some of the world’s most notorious killers. Her expertise spans trauma, addiction, and impulse control, culminating in her upcoming U.S. theater tour, The Psychology of a Murderer. Through captivating case studies, Toles sheds light on the dark corners of human behavior.
In her show and forthcoming book, Toles examines the pathways leading ordinary people to commit extraordinary violence. She explores infamous cases, including Jeffrey Dahmer and Charles Manson, while revealing a proprietary formula for understanding evil. Her work intertwines cutting-edge psychology with gripping storytelling, leaving audiences both disturbed and enlightened.
Shermer and Toles discuss the psychology of mass murderers, causes of evil, and the fascination with true crime. They analyze infamous killers like Dahmer, the Menendez Brothers, and Manson, exploring traits like narcissism and psychopathy. Topics include experiments like Milgram’s and the Stanford Prison Study, factors driving violence, and why ordinary individuals can commit atrocities.