While researching and watching the movie, it is obvious that the Zodiac sought to portray himself as this dominant godlike figure; you must abide by his words in his letters or he will kill again. This power/control dance was apparent especially when he wanted to see his symbol around town and his letters being published in the newspaper, almost like a ego boost. He got enjoyment by toying with the press by sending in cryptic letters. He would also call to police to report his murders. He wrote a letter after the murder of a taxi cab driver, along with a piece of the driver's blood stained shirt, stating that an officer did see him but did not stop him because he did not fit the suspect's characteristics at the time (Zodiac Killer, 1996). …show more content…
With most cases, investigators and psychologists can piece together some sort of cause or rationalization to explain why a serial murderer did what they did. With the Zodiac being unknown, it is hard to fully apply a specific explanation as to why he completed his murders. His habits can be helpful, however. It is obvious, from the directly linked victims, that he pulls toward young heterosexual couples. Perhaps he is incompatible of having relationships or has had bad relationship and him killing them eases his resentment. Another possibility that he could have grew up in a bad home where he watched his mother be abused and he believes that men should all be 'dominant'. He could have faced abuse himself or even rejection from a parent. If he was faced with abuse or rejection, then him seeking power over vulnerable people could be seen as a defense mechanism; he is taking control so he is no longer the victim. A theory that fits this supposed etiology is the 'social process theory'. Hickey states that this theory surrounds the idea that socialization is what pushes normal people into crime, no one is safe from becoming a criminal. A key factor that links socialization and crime is childhood abuse and neglect (Hickey 121-122). So, if the Zodiac was abused or faced neglect, that could be a reason why he killed. If he was faced with rejection from women, he could have a disdain for couples in general and he could have possibly adapted the whole, 'if I can't be happy, neither should you' mentality; that could have very well pushed him to kill. A theory that Hickey mentions that could be applied to the Zodiac is the 'labeling theory'. This theory focuses on negative labels and how they push people into crime since the identity box is already ticked (Hickey 123-124). The Zodiac sought fame and notoriety and that seemed to have fueled his killing, or