TITLE:
Sex Differences in Homicidal Fantasies among Finnish University Students
AUTHORS:
Laura Auvinen-Lintunen, Helinä Häkkänen-Nyholm, Tuula Ilonen, Roope Tikkanen
KEYWORDS:
Homicidal Fantasies, Sex Differences, Aggression, Emotional Reactions, University Students
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
14,
2015
ABSTRACT: Homicidal behavior is sex-linked. But research comparing male and female
homicidal fantasies is sparse even though there is a potential link between
fantasies and behavior. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency
and contents of homicidal fantasies (targets, triggers, instruments, and
emotional reactions) and their relation to substance abuse among 617 Finnish
university students (mean age 24.2 years) contingent on gender. Sixty seven
percent (n = 413) of respondents reported that they had experienced generally
non-substance abuse-dependent homicidal fantasies during their lifetime. Males
reported homicidal fantasies more frequently than females. Male fantasies
involved the use of a weapon or tool and their fantasies frequently targeted a
stranger, an acquaintance, or a public figure whereas female fantasies
targeted intimate relationships such as family members or partners. Females reacted
with negative emotions to their own homicidal fantasies but males lacked
emotional response. Results suggest that homicidal fantasies are sexlinked.