Disturbing Fact: Many Serial Killers Have High IQs

MoneyMagnetMagnate

11 years ago

So...what's your point? Smart people make better killers? :p

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thunderbird 11 years ago

Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate

So...what's your point? Smart people make better killers? :p

Sometimes I'm quite pointless. Maybe it means the serial killers who get away with it most are average intelligence? When it comes to serial killers, smart and dumb alike often get away with doing it a lot.
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thunderbird

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill

"A sample of 174 IQs of serial killers had a median IQ of 93."

Oh yeah, those are some real sharpies.

That makes sense. Still it seems that they fall into two camps: Really smart, dim-witted.

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Daniel Evans

11 years ago

Originally Posted by thunderbird

This is weird. There seem to be two main types of serial killers. 1. Very Smart 2. Dim-witted. Not so much in between.

Famous Serial Killers | Famous Serial Killers IQs

The table of IQ numbers at the end of the article would suggest otherwise.

There's high end, low end and many that are an average of those.

The term "IQ Average" is even used.

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thunderbird

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel Evans

The table of IQ numbers at the end of the article would suggest otherwise.

There's high end, low end and many that are an average of those.

The term "IQ Average" is even used.

"they are more likely to have low/average intelligence. A sample of 174 IQs of serial killers had a median IQ of 93." The samples I'm finding are high iq and low iq, without much in between. Most are closer to "low intelligence" than average intelligence, while the others have high iqs, thus explaining the low average IQ of serial killers.

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yukon

Banned 11 years ago

Was the IQ test given before or after they went postal?

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thunderbird 11 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

Was the IQ test given before or after they went postal?

I don't know. Schools used to give IQ tests to kids in the US.
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seasoned

11 years ago

There is, sadly, no real correlation. Some are obviously bright, and many ARE quite stupid, but there are some in between. Average is generally about 85-115. In psychiatric terms, average is 1 standard deviation(usually 15 points) to either side of 100, which is considered THE average.

A median IQ of 93 is BELOW normal. Lets say we had a 2SD spread to either side... That would be 63 to 123 That would be mild retardation to little more than superior(just over average).

2SD is probably about as far as they would go, in this case. Genius would be MORE than 3SD to either side. So that would be moderate mental retardation to just barely genius.

As for the claim of middle class? That term is ******MEANINGLESS****** in most contexts, including here. Raining pay artificially just doesn't count. So I am betting nearly ALL are low class.

Steve

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thunderbird

11 years ago

Originally Posted by seasoned

There is, sadly, no real correlation. Some are obviously bright, and many ARE quite stupid, but there are some in between. Average is generally about 85-115. In psychiatric terms, average is 1 standard deviation(usually 15 points) to either side of 100, which is considered THE average.

A median IQ of 93 is BELOW normal. Lets say we had a 2SD spread to either side... That would be 63 to 123 That would be mild retardation to little more than superior(just over average).<snip>

They either seem to be below normal or above normal. Normal is 100. Most of the examples shown are significantly above or below normal. 109 is above normal. 140 is way above normal. A median IQ of 93 means most are not too bright (however, there are exceptions. It is possible for someone to have such a score and be smart).

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Enfusia

11 years ago

There are a couple that were sharp.

Most people are aware of Ted Bundy being rather bright.

But what most people don't know is Charles Manson had one of the highest IQ's on record ever in the world.

He focused his ability on manipulation tactics and was so good at it that he still has followers to this day. The military has studied his his manipulation abilities and learned a ton.

Those are the only two I know about. Manson because I wrote a paper on him in 1978 for high school.

Patrick

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MoneyMagnetMagnate

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Enfusia

There are a couple that were sharp.

Most people are aware of Ted Bundy being rather bright.

But what most people don't know is Charles Manson had one of the highest IQ's on record ever in the world.

He focused his ability on manipulation tactics and was so good at it that he still has followers to this day. The military has studied his his manipulation abilities and learned a ton.

Those are the only two I know about. Manson because I wrote a paper on him in 1978 for high school.

Patrick

I've read quite a few things at great length about Manson, and while his intelligence and abillity to manipulate people has never been questioned, I don't think I have ever read that he was one of the smartest people in the world with an IQ off the charts...

On the other hand...the judge that sentenced Ted Bundy said "you are quite a likable and affable fellow, I would have liked to see you appear in my court as a lawyer - unfortunately, I have to sentence you to death..."
Bundy worked for a serial killer profiler at Washington State university, and she never had a clue...

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seasoned

11 years ago

The article ACTUALLY says they tend to be BELOW average!

Famous serial killers are generally described as having IQs in the bright normal range, although they are more likely to have low/average intelligence.

They give 60 examples! 20% are at least mildly retarded. 18.3 are considered to be genius. One I think missed the record books, and some are vague so I question the source! About 31% are about normal. That means about 31% are over 1SD above normal. That is about the distribution you are likely to supposedly find in the general public.

160 2 average approx 80
340 2 170
300 3 100
360 3 120

By this crude measure, with my approximations, the average IQ is approx 116. That may SOUND high, but it is roughly high NORMAL! The high end of normal is generally about 115.

Steve

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thunderbird

11 years ago

Originally Posted by seasoned

The article ACTUALLY says they tend to be BELOW average!

They give 60 examples! 20% are at least mildly retarded. 18.3 are considered to be genius. One I think missed the record books, and some are vague so I question the source! About 31% are about normal. That means about 31% are over 1SD above normal. That is about the distribution you are likely to supposedly find in the general public.

160 2 average approx 80
340 2 170
300 3 100
360 3 120

By this crude measure, with my approximations, the average IQ is approx 116. That may SOUND high, but it is roughly high NORMAL! The high end of normal is generally about 115.

Steve

The average IQ is always 100. Otherwise, it loses its meaning in the jalapeno curve or whatever it's called.

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seasoned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by thunderbird

The average IQ is always 100. Otherwise, it loses its meaning in the jalapeno curve or whatever it's called.

The average of a group will vary. The idea is SUPPOSED to be that an expected goal is 100 overall. Granted though, with the inflation of EVERYTHING, the IQ probably is probably inflated ALSO. 100 may be what 80 USED to be.

But anyway, the IQ can vary all over, so the average of a given group will vary.

Steve
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- Kay King 11 years ago
  
  Some poor people have high IQs - some don't
  Some rich people have high IQs - some don't
  Some burglars have high IQs - some don't
  Some killers have high IQs - some don't.
  
  Maybe all the studies show is that IQ doesn't determine lifestyle or profession.
  
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Dave Patterson 11 years ago

Originally Posted by thunderbird

The average IQ is always 100. Otherwise, it loses its meaning in the jalapeno curve or whatever it's called.

....and Dave has to clean coffee off the screen yet again...
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Disturbing Fact: Many Serial Killers Have High IQs

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