Preview

The Dangerous Mind of a Serial Killer: Analysis of Ted Bundy

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2166 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Dangerous Mind of a Serial Killer: Analysis of Ted Bundy
The Dangerous Mind of a Serial Killer
Analysis of Ted Bundy
Adam Boncic
Ramapo College

The Dangerous Mind of a Serial Killer
Analysis of Ted Bundy What complex motives could have possibly driven an individual to passionate murder, contributing to over a hundred deaths? These brash, relentless actions can be influenced by a range of psychological, genetic and environmental factors. Unraveling the mind of a serial killer is far from simple, but there is almost always a catalyst towards their demeanor. There are, in fact, many diverse explanations for their sadism; some suffer from a brutal childhood, dysfunctional family, psychological disorders and mental illnesses. Anyone of these aspects could contribute to the psychopathic qualities of a serial killer. Specifically, there is America 's most notorious serial killer, Ted Bundy, who validated for more than half of these accounts. On the surface though, Bundy appeared essentially normal to others. People thought he was a very verbally articulate, intelligent and even a charming man. They fell under his spell; they would not believe any accusations against Bundy. He built a façade, he oozed sincerity, and developed his false character very well. Meanwhile, behind closes doors, Ted Bundy committed a gross number of heinous murders. What led up to his attacks? This charismatic killer suffered from a combination of biological and environmental issues that triggered his motives for murder. The type of environment a child is raised around is fundamental to their development. At a young age, personality begins to shape and is carried with them their entire lives. Moreover, looking through the lens of Ted Bundy, you will find a very troubling childhood which systematically only led to a more troubled adulthood. "Defense psychiatrist Dorothy Lewis said Tuesday that Bundy is mentally ill, that he suffered from a strange childhood that was bound to 'produce someone incredibly violent '" (Crawford, 1987, A1).


References: Anderson, W. (1999). Can personality disorders be used as predictors of serial killers?. Futurics, 23(3/4), 34-43. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/ docview/219813630?accountid=13420;. Anonymous. (2010, Oct 09). A portrait of four serial killers. Toronto Star. http://search.proquest.com/docview/757062575?accountid=13420;. Anonymous. (2007, Mar 04). Ted Bundy. http://criminalminds.wikia.com/wiki/Ted_Bundy Crawford, J. (1987, Dec 16). Bundy called product of a strange childhood: [3 star edition]. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/p qcentral/docview/277153887/13A0A1A2D30765877F4/1?accountid=13420. Umbsaar, R. (2008, Aug 21). Porn was Bundy 's undoing. Calgary Herald. http://search.proquest.com/pqcentral/docview/243772654/13A3 E6DC0B257FE9045/6?. Markowitz, A. (1989, Jan 29). Ted bundy: A horror story; mass murderer started with petty crimes - and ended up in the electric chair. The Gazette. http://search.proquest.com/docview/431736519?accountid=13420;. Rayman-Duitman, J. (2001, Apr 17). Bundy 's story a lesson in porn. South Bend Tribune. http://search.proquest.com/pqcentral/docview/417066535/13A3DDEB3DC546B6C86/5? accountid=13420. Ted bundy. (n.d.). http://vanessawest.tripod.com/bundy.html
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Ted Bundy
    • 531 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ted Bundy

    Ted Bundy was a serial killer in the 1970s, in Florida. He grew up in normal Christian loving home with five brothers and sisters. There was no drinking, drug use, or any such things round the house. Growing up Ted considered himself a “normal” kid.…

    • 531 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    CJA 314 WEEK 2 Biological Criminal Behavior
    • 1405 Words
    • 5 Pages

    CJA 314 WEEK 2 Biological Criminal Behavior

    Biology contributes to killers. As people in today 's society, we are constantly being bombarded with the crazy actions that mankind is capable of. We watch the news and hear about murders, or even read a book about a mysterious killer. As we go through these pieces of reality, one can 't help but be struck by the thought--what causes a person to act so violently? There have been many studies done to try and find an answer. For a crime such as serial killing, there are two thoughts. The first idea is that serial killing is caused by an abnormality in the frontal lobe of the brain. The second idea is that serial killers are bred by circumstance which means they have certain genes also known as the negative gene that makes them prone to becoming a killer.…

    • 1405 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ted Bundy Research Paper
    • 926 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Ted Bundy Research Paper

    As Ted Bundy grew he started peeping in windows on unsuspecting women. It is suspected that once he was caught he started stalking women. Eventually escalating to the kidnapping and murder of countless young women.…

    • 926 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ted Bundy His Killings on a Drive-Reduction Theory
    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ted Bundy His Killings on a Drive-Reduction Theory

    Ted Bundy was a serial killer in the 1970s, in Florida. He grew up in normal Christian loving home with five brothers and sisters. There was no drinking, drug use, or any such things round the house. Growing up Ted considered himself a “normal” kid.…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Antisocial Personality Disorder- Ted Bundy
    • 2574 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Antisocial Personality Disorder- Ted Bundy

    Some could argue that Ted's upbringing is what turned him into the man that he had later become. Although Bundy loved his grandfather, he was known as an ill-tempered bully. He expected everyone to do what he said and meet his demands and if not he could be verbally and physically abusive. He also physically mistreated animals including their family pet. All of this made Ted's grandmother suffer from severe depression and agoraphobia and she never really left the house. This was the only possible known trauma in Ted's life. As he got older and more aware of his surroundings his parents his mother took him with her to Washington with her new husband John. Ted and his step-father were never particularly close but no abuse was ever evident and Eleanor was devoted to her son, though he remained confused about their relationship.…

    • 2574 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Ted Bundy
    • 1645 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Ted Bundy

    References: Shadow, M., (2008) Ted Bundy, The Serial Killer, retrieved on 23 February 2012 from http://quazen.com/reference/biography/ted-bundy0the-serial-killer.…

    • 1645 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Serial Killers: Biology or Upbringing?
    • 2281 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Serial Killers: Biology or Upbringing?

    Serial killers have been named many different names over the years by experts. “In the 19th century, psychopathology was considered to be ‘moral insanity’” (Scott, par. 2). Moral insanity is when ones emotions are damaged, causing them to be carried away by furious instinct. That shows why experts would consider calling serial killers morally insane. “Current experts call serial killers a biological disaster” (Scott, par. 2). This means they are born into this world already marked as a disaster. A former psychologist says there are two types, “They are known as ‘Antisocial personality disorder’ or ‘Social pathology’” (Scott, par. 2). Antisocial personality disorder killers usually do not interact with people which can be their reason for becoming a killer. Social pathology killers are disorganized in the world which makes them uneasy and more tempted to becoming a serial killer. These names can simply describe every type of serial killer in the world.…

    • 2281 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Serial Killers in Modern America
    • 1613 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Serial Killers in Modern America

    In today’s society, America is a dangerous place for people to walk alone. We have definitely had our share of serial killers over the years. We have had the Harpes brothers in the 1800’s to the more modern day Jeffrey Dahmer. A serial killer in the United States is defined by Congress as “someone who murders a minimum of three or more people.” (Harris) Three-quarters of the world’s total serial killers have done their killing in the United States.…

    • 1613 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Socialization and Criminal Behavior(Ted Bundy)
    • 364 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Socialization and Criminal Behavior(Ted Bundy)

    He was attractive, smart, and had a future in politics. He was also one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history. Ted Bundy screamed his innocence until his death in the electric chair became imminent, then he tried to use his victims one more time to keep himself alive. His plan failed and the world got a glimpse of the true evil inside him. Theodore Robert Cowell was born on November 24, 1946 in the Elizabeth Lund Home for Unwed Mothers in Vermont. Ted’s biological father was an Air Force veteran, and was unknown to his son his whole life. His mother was Lousie Cowell. After she had her birth with him, they has moved back to Ted’s grandparents in Philadelphia. While growing up there, his was taught that his mother was actually his sister, and that his grandparents were his parents. They did this in order to protect his mother from harsh criticism and prejudice of being an unwed mother, At the age of four, him and his mother moved to Tacoma, Washington, with some relatives. It was there where his mother had fallen in love with a military cook named Johnnie Culpepper Bundy, In May 1951, his mother married the cook, and Ted had then assumed his stepfather’s last name, and had gotten the name Ted Bundy. During the marriage, they had more children, and Ted found himself babysitting many days after school. In school, he was terrible shy and uncomfortable in many social situations. He was often the one teased in school or made the head butt of the jokes and pranks. Author Stephen Michaud analyzed his behavior and decided that “he was not like the other children. Despite his parental circumstances and meager surroundings Bundy was well behaved and grew into an attractive teen who was generally liked and who performed well in school. Throughout his years at high school After high school he entered the University of Puget Sound and continued to do well academically, but felt uncomfortable around his fellow peers who were predominantly wealthy. In his sophomore…

    • 364 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ted Bundy
    • 3288 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Ted Bundy

    On November 2, 1946, one of the most prolific serial killers in United States history was born. Theodore Robert Cowell was born in Burlington, Vermont to Louise Cowell. Even though Louise was Ted’s biological mother, he grew up believing that his grandparents were his mom and dad, because back then, being a pregnant and unwed woman was frowned upon.…

    • 3288 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ted Bundy Psychology
    • 427 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Ted Bundy Psychology

    Killers have walked the earth since the beginning of time, Cain and Abel, the murder of Julius Caesar, the infamous Jack the Ripper in England, to Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer in the United States. Spanning over the course of thousands of years, murders have ranged from pre-meditated, to in the heat of passion killings. For serial killers, many psychologists have spent countless hours of research trying to divulge the brain of multiple serial killers over the course of countless centuries. Psychopathic behavior over the years has been categorized by several qualities, or motivations, that have possibly led them to commit these murders. Most common qualities are power, perfection, and the fear of rejection. These traits are most commonly seen…

    • 427 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Dr. Martin Bundy: A Serial Killer
    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Dr. Martin Bundy: A Serial Killer

    Ted Bundy was wise, attractive, and cunning. His victims did not see him as a psychopath who was mentally disturbed. They did not know either by looking at him that he was a rapist preying on them and waiting to kill…

    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ted Bundy: A Notorious Serial Killer
    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Ted Bundy: A Notorious Serial Killer

    As bizarre as it may sound, Ted Bundy was once an ordinary young man. Everything was going good for him. He was a student at the University of Washington. He fell in love with a woman from California who also went to the University of Washington.…

    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Ted Bundy: A Serial Killer
    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Ted Bundy: A Serial Killer

    Theodore Robert Cowell, better known to the world as Ted Bundy, was a serial killer in the United States during the 20th century. It is unknown exactly the number of victims Ted had during his killing spree but himself has been quoted as admitting to at least 30 murders crossing seven different states. Authorities ae under the assumption that Ted could be responsible for over a hundred murders during his life. To this day, it puzzles authorities as to how Ted could continue his heinous crimes for such a long period without being caught. It is thought that Ted began his killing spree in 1974 and that it continued until February 1978, even though there is a high likelihood that his killings began before fourteen years earlier with the…

    • 1384 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Serial Killer: The Theories Of Ted Bundy
    • 1065 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Serial Killer: The Theories Of Ted Bundy

    Serial killer , “a person who commits a series of murders, often with no apparent motive and typically following a characteristic, predictable behavior pattern”. This is the definition of a serial killer. In our history there has been multiple serial killers, you could even say way too many. Ted Bundy was born on November 24, 1946 in Burlington, Vermont. When born his mother Eleanor Cowell kept him hidden as an illegitimate child. Eleanor was an unmarried twenty two year old. She delivered his to her very religious parents. Then, when he was a little bit older she moved him to Washington where she married Johnie Bundy and had several kids. Growing up, Bundy was raised in a working class family. At the age of 3, Ted became fascinated by knives.…

    • 1065 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics