Silence of the Lambs & Psychology
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In Jonathan Demme’s The Silence Of The Lambs we are treated to two serial killers, one of the most difficult to diagnose and treat psychological disorders affecting mankind. Serial killers like Hannibal “the cannibal” Lecter and “Buffalo Bill” share many traits in common, but make up an extremely small percentage of the human population. Serial killers are usually diagnosed as having antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy, sociopathy, or dyssocial personality disorder). The two serial killers portrayed in The Silence Of The Lambs are psychopaths, “psychopaths use charm, manipulation, intimidation, and violence to control others and satisfy their own selfish needs. Lacking in conscience and feelings for others, they cold-bloodedly take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms and expectations without the slightest guilt or regret. Although their numbers are small-perhaps 1% of the population-psychopaths account for a large proportion of the serious crime, violence, and social distress in every society” (Hare 1). One of the biggest traits of the psychopath is their inability to empathize with human feelings or emotions. In the film, the Senator, whose daughter is kidnapped by Buffalo Bill, makes a please on television for the killer to spare her daughter’s life. The FBI agents, like Clarice Starling, comment on how well she gives her plea because she does so in a manner that tries to get the killer to
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ffectivity (the range, intensity, liability, and appropriateness of the emotional response)
Interpersonal functioning
Impulse control
The enduring pattern is inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of personal and social situations.
The enduring pattern leads to clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The pattern is stable and of long duration and its onset can be traced back at least to adolescence or early adulthood.
The enduring pattern is not better accounted for as a manifestation or consequence of another mental disorder.
The enduring pattern is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition.
(Personality 1)
The serial killer kills in a ritual manner. In the film, Clarice is able to deduce for Jack Crawford that Buffalo Bill is a white male in his 30s, that he kills in a ritual like fashion, and that he has a taste for killing that increases with each murder-a hunger that will never end. Serial killers are usually white and, like Ted Bundy, Hannibal Lecter, and Buffalo Bill, they appear like the average person next door by all appearances. These types of traits are common among most serial k
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1298
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)
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