I’m working on a social science discussion question and need support to help me learn.

American popular culture is obsessed with violent crime. Movies such as Monster, The Silence of the Lambs, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Summer of Sam feature serial and mass murderers who frequently are glorified and depicted as heroes. In addition, many websites have been created as shrines to serial and mass murderers such as Charles Manson and Ted Bundy. Whether exposure to these types of violent films and websites impacts the prevalence of serial murderers has been a matter of debate. Some scholars argue that popular culture’s fascination with violent crime has led to a violent epidemic in the United States. Other scholars argue there is no association between the two. What is not debatable, however, is the United States’ obsession with serial and mass murderers, an obsession that moves far beyond just watching movies.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review the book excerpt, “America’s Fascination with Multiple Homicide.” Focus on the discussion of serial and mass murderers in popular culture. Also, reflect on how popular culture impacts incidents of serial and mass murders.

Review the article “Perceptions of the Media in a Community Exposed to Serial Murder.” Focus on how the public is influenced by the media’s coverage of serial murderers and how this media influence could lead to more serial murderers.

Review the article: “‘Asian [sic] Really Don’t Do This’: On-Scene Offense Characteristics of Asian American School Shooters” retrieved from the Walden Library. Consider how the mass murderer thought he would be depicted in the media. Additionally, reflect on whether a media blackout on serial and mass murderers would reduce these types of crimes.

Consider whether popular culture influences the proliferation of serial and mass murderers in the United States.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post your thoughts on whether popular culture influences the proliferation of serial and mass murderers.