Content: As I reflect on my analysis of male and female serial killer movies, I have gained valuable insights into the gender disparities in the movie industry. I learned that male movies tend to score higher in terms of realism compared to female movies, indicating a potential gender bias. This finding is significant because it highlights the need for greater attention and effort to accurately represent female serial killers in movies, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote gender equality.
In future research, I plan to delve deeper into the reasons behind this gender disparity and investigate potential solutions to address the issue. I also aim to explore how accurate representation of serial killers in movies can inform law enforcement, mental health professionals, and policymakers, and contribute to developing effective interventions and prevention strategies. Overall, this analysis has inspired me to continue researching the impact of media on social perceptions and to promote greater awareness of gender biases in the movie industry.
Product: Writing an academic paper on male and female serial killer movies has been an eye-opening experience for me. Through my research and analysis, I have gained a deeper understanding of the potential gender bias in the movie industry, which can have significant implications for how society perceives and understands female serial killers. Presenting my findings through an oral defense was a nerve-wracking but rewarding experience. It allowed me to showcase my knowledge and communicate my ideas effectively to my peers and professors. Overall, this project has taught me valuable research and analytical skills, as well as how to effectively present my findings to an audience. I plan to use these skills in future research projects and in my career as a professional.
Process: As a result of conducting this research project and completing an oral defense, I have learned a great deal about myself as a researcher, a student, and a human being. Firstly, I discovered that I am capable of conducting in-depth research on a complex topic and presenting my findings in a clear and concise manner. This experience has given me a greater sense of confidence in my abilities as a researcher and has encouraged me to pursue future research opportunities.
As a student, I have learned that academic writing and research require a significant amount of time, effort, and dedication. I have gained a deeper appreciation for the research process and the importance of thoroughly analyzing and interpreting data. Additionally, I have learned that effective communication skills are essential in presenting research findings, and I have improved my ability to articulate my ideas and arguments.
On a personal level, this project has highlighted the importance of critically analyzing media and recognizing potential biases and stereotypes. It has also reminded me of the power of media in shaping our perceptions of certain groups of people and the importance of accurate representation.
Moving forward, I will carry the lessons learned from this project with me as I continue my academic and personal pursuits. I will strive to approach research with a critical and open-minded perspective, and I will continue to develop my writing and communication skills. Moreover, I will be more mindful of the media I consume and encourage others to do the same. Overall, this project has been a valuable learning experience, and I am grateful for the knowledge and skills that I have gained through it.
Acknowledgements: I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my mentor Special Agent Debby Michaels, whose guidance and expertise have been invaluable in the completion of this project. Her constant support and encouragement have helped me develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and have motivated me to push myself to new heights.
I would also like to thank my teacher, Ms. Dobos, for her unwavering support and encouragement throughout this project. Her feedback and guidance have been instrumental in helping me develop my skills as a researcher and writer.
Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my parents, whose love and support have been my constant source of strength and motivation. Without their support, this project would not have been possible, and I am forever grateful for their unwavering encouragement and guidance.
Once again, thank you to all those who have supported me throughout this project. Your support has been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for everything you have done to help me succeed.
Abstract: Originally, I was hoping to study psychology and serial killers. However, my research advanced and I needed to find a gap. I started to look into film and how serial killers are portrayed in movies versus reality. When researching, I used keywords such as horror movies, and used famous serial killers to create an idea of commonalities. I also researched different kinds of serial killers and their different motives in order to find a system of how to determine reality with serial killers. With further digging, I found a gap between whether females or males are more realistically portrayed in movies, which became my area of study. I found movies in which I will watch and analyze deciding how realistically portrayed the serial killers are within the movies. I picked 10 movies surrounding men, American Psycho (2000), The CloveHitch Killer (2019), Split (2016), The Snowman (2017), Maniac (2012), Perfume (2006), Halloween (1978), Silence of The Lambs (1991), and Scream (1996). As well as 10 movies surrounding female killers, Happy Death Day (2017), Ma (2019), High tension (2003), Titane (2021), Lady Psycho Killer (2015), Prevenge (2016), Tragedy girls (2017), The Girl Who Got Away (2021), Carrie (1976), Me You Madness (2021). I chose to keep the movie selections within the 1960’s to current day keep some kind of timeline due to the first case of FBI using profiling techniques was in 1960.