Research Proposal for Taboos and Transgressions

Student’s Name Instructor's Name Course Date Taboos and Transgressions The Media’s Fascination with Serial Killers and Its Societal Consequences The media plays an essential part in shaping public opinion, and its coverage of crime, particularly serial killers, has been a source of fascination and controversy for decades. Serial killers have been icons of popular culture over the last few decades, with news shows, documentaries, films, and podcasts making money from public interest. Such instances as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and the Zodiac Killer have been thoroughly documented, often portraying these criminals in a manner that has been accused of glamorizing or romanticizing their crimes. Recent media reports highlight how some serial offenders exploit their occupations, such as long-haul truck driving, to commit crimes without detection, further raising concerns about media representation and its influence on criminal behavior (Coulter). This presentation through the media is ethically and socially problematic, particularly as to whether it is a factor that affects violent crime within society. Research has debated whether media sensationalism of serial killers leads to a cycle of violence by engaging in copycat crimes or desensitizing the audience for violence. In her study of taboo and transgressive language, Laura Miller states that Media representation carries a powerful capacity for normalizing transgressive conduct and tendencies toward disrupting the lines between enchantment and support (Miller 18). Similarly, Flubacher and H...