Final answer:
Serial killers target various victims based on individual psychological motivations, with some vulnerable groups like sex workers and homeless being common targets. Victim profiles are influenced by each killer's specific compulsions, and historical events like Stalin's regime caused mass victimization under political pretexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Serial killers often do not have a specific type of victim, and their targets can vary widely based on individual motivations and psychological factors. However, various studies have found patterns in the selection of victims by serial murderers. Certain vulnerable groups tend to be targeted more frequently due to the ease of access and the lesser likelihood of the crime being quickly detected. Historical and archival research suggests that those who are socially marginalized, such as sex workers, the homeless, or those living high-risk lifestyles, are disproportionately affected.
Victim profiles can vary depending on the killer's method of operation, fantasies, or comfort zone. For instance, Ted Bundy targeted young women with specific characteristics that fit his psychological pathology, while Jeffrey Dahmer preyed on young men. The outlook that serial killing makes murder more attractive due to a skewed sense of morality, or as a form of deterrent, does not typically align with the psychological profile of a serial killer, who often kills due to compulsion rather than logical reasoning.
Additionally, history has shown that during times of oppression or conflict, such as under Stalin's regime, victimization could happen on a much larger scale and not just through individual actors. Large groups of innocent people were killed as a result of the policies or actions of those in power, sometimes under the guise of 'the greater good' or political expediency, which is a different context from the motives of a serial killer but encompasses a broader spectrum of victimization.