Gender and Homicide: A Comparison of Men and Women Who Kill

Abstract

This study compares the patterns of homicides committed by women and men. Classic comparison studies of homicides by men and women suggest that each group kills in ways that are reflective of socially approved gender role behavior. More recently, however, research on women who kill suggests that they frequently do so in response to threats of violence by men. In contrast to the gender role and self-protection models of women’s homicides, the liberation hypothesis suggests that patterns of women’s violence will increasingly resemble patterns of violence by men. Based on our analysis of court records of 158 cases of homicides by men and women over a six-year period, we find little support for the liberation hypothesis and considerable support for the gender role and self-protection models. Compared to men, women more frequently kill intimates and kill in situations in which their victim initiated the physical aggression.

Self-rated aggression and cerebral monoaminergic turnover

“…Another view on sex aggression characteristics is presented in the forensic psychiatric context. Based on analysis of court records of 158 homicides over a 6-year-period, Jurik and Winn (1990) found considerable support for the "gender role" model. Compared to men, women are more prone to kill an intimate partner, most often in situations where the victim initiated the physical aggression.…”

Mujeres maltratadas en convivencia prolongada con el agresor: variables relevantes [Long term stay of battered women with the aggresor: Relevant variables]

“…Este tipo no suele ser muy habitual por la desproporción de fuerza existente entre el hombre y la mujer (Campbell, 1995;Daly y Wilson, 1988;Jurik y Winn, 1990;Mann, 1990).…”

Sex Differences in Homicidal Fantasies among Finnish University Students

“…Human sex differences of homicidal behavior is a fairly well established field of research (Jurik & Winn, 1990;Kellerman & Mercy, 1992;Pratt & Deosaransingh, 1997;Wilbanks, 1983), but information on a potential sex-link in homicidal fantasies among males and females is much more limited (Daly & Wilson 1988). More specifically, previous research on homicidal fantasies have focused on the contents of the fantasies, situations in which they arise, triggers, the method of killing, or the real violent act associated with the homicidal fantasy (Crabb, 2000;Duntley, 2005;Grisso et al, 2000;Kenrick & Sheets, 1993), especially in psychiatric patients (Grisso et al, 2000), but not specifically between sexes, emotional reactions and in normal populations.…”

“…Characteristic of the homicides committed by men is that the victim is a male stranger or acquaintances (not close relationship) (Jurik & Winn, 1990;Kellerman & Mercy, 1992;Robbins et al, 2003), the motive is to defend one's status or honor (Buss & Shackelford, 1997;Polk, 1999), and jealousy (Buss & Shackelford, 1997;Daly & Wilson, 1988), whereas homicides committed by women are usually directed towards other family members (close relationship), and their motive is most frequently self-defense (Campbell, 1993;Daly et al 1982;Dobash et al, 1992;Jurik & Winn, 1990). These features and differences are also present in Finnish homicides (Kivivuori et al, 2007;Weizmann-Henelius et al, 2003), but homicides in Finland are usually committed under the influence of alcohol and tend to be rather impulsive acts of violence (manslaughters) than premeditated murders as compared with many other countries, which is a rationale to investigate particularly the characteristics of Finnish homicidal fantasies.…”