Shayna Stoymenoff 1000762463 October 16th, 2017 Professor Lee SOC393 Essay #1 Ted Bundy is a notorious serial killer who murdered and sexually assaulted more than 30 women in 1974 (Ramsland, 2013, p. 18). Bundy was seen as the average “American boy” in the sense that he was not physically abused by his family, went to church every Sunday, and later went on to enroll in law school in Utah (Ramsland, 2013, p. 19). However, despite such cliché characteristics, Bundy was hiding a dark secret. It was his addiction to pornography that fueled and motivated him to commit terrible acts such as acting out sadistic sexual fantasies. While his motive reifies popular and classic understandings of serial killing, his motives also challenge it. Although …show more content…
For instance, another major popular understanding of serial killing is that most serial killers commit crimes because they come from abusive backgrounds and homes. For example, in Ferrington’s (2006) article, the author found that, when asked about what was believed to be the main cause of serial killing, people had responded that it was children who were physically abused or neglected. Furthermore, the author continues to support this statement and found that children who were abused were more likely to be arrested as adults for a crime than those who were not (Ferringston, 2006, p. 23). However, Ted Bundy’s motives challenge this popular understanding, as he did not come from an abusive background of abusive parenting. For instance, in Ramsland’s (2013) article, the author states that Bundy grew up in a regular Christian family with two caring and dedicated parents. Furthermore, Bundy argues in his interview that his parents did not drink, smoke or gamble and there was no fighting or physical abuse (Masterson, 2008). However, according to Anderson (1994) and as mentioned in his interview, it was his addiction to pornography that ultimately motivated him to commit the crimes he committed. Therefore, this challenges the popular understanding of serial killing in that most people kill as a result of abusive …show more content…
It is through the use of pornography that enabled and motivated Ted Bundy’s sadistic sexual fantasy and thus to kill. Furthermore, Bundy’s motivations both reify and challenge popular understandings of serial killing. For instance, Bundy reifies popular beliefs and understandings that are perpetuated in the media, in that most serial killers are motivated by sexual sadistic fantasies. This can be seen from Ted Bundy’s motives, as it was his addiction to pornography that ultimately motivated him to act out his sadistic fantasies that he had been exposed to from pornographic magazines (Anderson, 1994, p. 11). However, this pornographic motive also challenges popular understandings of serial killing in that most killers commit serial crimes as a result of poor or abusive parenting. Due to the fact that Bundy was not abused or neglected as a child, but rather was addicted to pornography and fulfilling sexual fantasies, this challenges the popular understanding that those who commit serial killings do so because of abusive
Knight, Zelda G. "Sexually Motivated Serial Killers And The Psychology Of Aggression And "Evil" Within A Contemporary Psychoanalytical Perspective." Journal Of Sexual Aggression 13.1 (2007): 21-35. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 1 May 2014.
Freud (1940) was the first to do the link between sexual abuses during the childhood and adult abnormal behavior. As a result of that serial killer uses sex as a way to let out his or her anger and aggression. The sexually acts of the serial killer is not only about sex, but it is about revenge, power, and control. “Serial killers are unconsciously trying to kill off their repressed sexual pain and powerlessness. Every stab into the victim’s flesh is a stab against their own childhood sexual terror and pain, and the rage that accompanies it is a rage against those who tormented and terrorized” (Knight, 2006, p. 1199-1200).
In a study conducted by Hickey, he discovered that out of thirty-four female serial killers, almost one in two had a male accomplice committing murders with them (Holmes et al., 1991). He also revealed that 97% were white and the average age the women started committing murders was thirty-three (Holmes et al., 1991). Women serial killers differ from men in that most women kill for material gain, such as money or insurance benefits, and they usually commit murder with pills or poison. Stephen Holmes, Ronald Holmes, and Eric Hickey developed a typology for female serial killers similar to the one developed by Holmes and Holmes, discussed earlier. They begin with visionary serial killers, who are compelled by some force, such as God, or spirits, to commit murders. The second type is the comfort killer, who usually kills acquaintances and does so for a material gain, money or real estate (Holmes et al., 1991). The third category is hedonistic female serial killers, which is similar to the earlier typology in that the offender connects murder with sexual gratification. This is the least represented category for female offenders, but evidence for this type of killer can be seen in the case of Carol Bundy (Holmes et al., 1991). Bundy allegedly helped her husband kidnap, murder, and decapitate the
Theodore “Ted” Bundy was born November 24, 1946 in Burlington, Vermont. Eleanor Cowell was 22 years old and unmarried when she had her child. She gave birth at a home for unwed mothers in Vermont. Eleanor later moved to Philadelphia to live with her parents. Bundy was raised as the adopted son of his grandparents and was told that his mother was his sister.
Ted Bundy was born on November 24, 1946 in Burlington, Vermont. Bundy, is the son of Eleanor Louise Cowell and his father's identity was unknown. Bundy lived with his grandparents until the age of 3 in Philadelphia. All of Bundy's close friends and family were told that Bundy’s grandparents were actually his parents and that his mom was his older sister. They did this because having a baby outside of wedlock was considered bad during that time period.
Intro: Ted Bundy was one of the most gruesome and heartless serial killers of all time. His crimes were not uncovered until years after they actually happened. Each one by one, his name was eventually matched to 36 murders, possibly even more.
Ted Bundy was an American born rapist, a necrophile, a serial killer and a kidnapper who assaulted and murdered several young women during the 1970’s. The criminal kept on denying the charges for more than ten years and later confessed to having committed the thirty homicide crimes in seven different states before his execution (Rule, 2009). Bundy’s handsome and charismatic appearance made it possible for him to easily win the confidence of young women who were always his targets. He broke into the dwellings of his victims at night and bludgeoned them as they slept. He also approached young women in public places where he impersonated an authority figure or feigned injury on his victim before empowering and assaulting them in a more secluded area where he left them dead (Rule, 2009).
The stereotype that exists for individuals who commit serial murder is one that mainly includes males of a specific race. However, it is now known that white males are not the only individuals who commit serial murder. Men and women from all racial and ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic statuses have been found to be serial murderers. Although this information has been presented to society, the cultural schema of the white male serial killer is still prevalent. The assumptions that involve serial murderers often include two aspects, the serial murderer is male and the serial murder is a type of “lust murder”, often involving sexual crimes by a sadist (Keeney and Heide, 1995). Keeney and Heide (1994) define serial murder to be the premeditated murder of three or more victims committed over time, in separate incidents, in a civilian context, with the murder being chosen by the offender.
January 24, 1989 notorious serial killer Ted Bundy was executed via electric chair after being convicted of over 30 murder he committed in hope to satisfy his sexual needs and wants. Bundy went on a killing spree for over 4 years getting away with brutally murdering and mutilating over 30 woman and keeping parts of some as a souvenirs during his rain of terror and told to be the devil in human form. A man that had no remorse for the crimes he committed and even killed 12 year old Kimberly Leach, an innocent girl taken away from a play ground and never seen again. A man that had a fatal addiction to violent pornography and turned his darkest fantasy into reality. Just before Bundy’s execution, he agreed to only be interviewed by Dr. James Dobson
Bell, R. (n.d.). Ted Bundy. A Time of Terror — — Crime Library. Retrieved March 4, 2014, from http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/n
Throughout history, America has been the home of serial killers, with more than 2,000 throughout history. In this country, America has encountered many different kinds of these sick people. One of the most infamous serial killers throughout American History was Theodore Robert Bundy, also known as Ted Bundy. On November 24, 1946, in Burlington, Vermont, Theodore Robert Bundy was born. When people think of serial killers, they usually see a dirty, insane looking person that would stand out from the average person. In Bundy’s case it was very different. Ted was a very smart individual who had attended 5 different colleges throughout the United States, studying law and eventually getting his degree in psychology at the University of Washington. Bundy was a very handsome and charming man, unlike most other serial killers. Looking helpless and using his good looks, Bundy was able to lure his victims and would knock them unconscious with an object such as a crowbar or a pipe, then would handcuff them inside his car. Once the victims were under his control he would then proceed in kidnapping, raping, sodomizing, and eventually killing them in very harsh ways. Throughout the 70’s, he raped and murdered young women all across the country. Bundy was said to be connected to at least 36 murders, and suspected to have committed one hundred or more.
' God, I've never done anything. Help me, help me, help me! God, why is this happening? Help Me!'; Robert Violante screamed as the Son of Sam's .44 caliber bullet tore through his temple (Mitchell p.15). At this moment Robert Violante must have asking himself why this was happening, what could cause someone to do something so atrocious? This paper examines issues related to the definition and study of serial murder. It probes the minds of some of the world's most infamous killers all the while asking the question WHY. It examines methodological issues such as problems with the FBI's so called serial murder profiling system: the fact that the serial killer stereotypes does not necessarily stand true. This paper argues that the killer is not the only one to blame for his/her actions. Together we will probe the minds of killers such as Charles Manson and John Wayne Gacy. I ask you, 'Are they Murderers or Victims?'; I personally have come to the conclusion that they are both murderers and victims.
Ted Bundy is one of the most infamous, sadistic serial killers known to man. During his tenure as a killer, Bundy confessed to the murders of 30 women, though the official number of kills is unknown to this day. Bundy’s sadistic habits began at an early age due to his rough upbringing and abusive parents. His tactical methods of killing left miniscule amounts of evidence, which remained undetectable by the “still rudimentary forensics techniques of the 1970s” (Crime Museum). Bundy also managed to uphold an impressive “clean-cut appearance” and portrayed characteristics of an “upstanding character” (Crime Museum). Ted Bundy, through the course of a troubled childhood and keen wit, managed to successfully become known as one of the most infamous
Introduction: On the spectrum of criminal activity, serial killers are rather rare. Rarer still is a serial killer like Ted Bundy. Bundy confessed to killing 28 women in the 1970s in ghastly fashion and some believe he may have killed far more. It is hard to imagine what could cause any person to cross the mental boundary into such macabre behavior as Bundy perpetrated. Nevertheless, it is important to try to understand that behavior because only though such an understanding would society be able to identify and deter mass murderers in order to save lives.
By 1978, roughly thirty women were dead and mutilated by the same man with little explanation as to why. Ted Bundy, one of the most infamous serial killers in history brutally took the lives of numerous women for seemingly no reason at all. His justification for these murders was simply that he felt like committing them. A serial killer is defined as someone who has killed more than three people over a period of a month or more for seemingly no reason at all. Most serial killers have no real motive for killing; for them it is an urge that they must satisfy. Was Ted Bundy and others like him always a violent psychopath or did certain events cause him to behave this way? One common belief is that abusive childhoods and other environmental factors are the main reason serial killers develop the way they do. The other belief is that serial killers are born with an innate desire to kill. The answer to this question lies within both arguments and there is no secret serial killer formula. Serial Killers are neither born nor made; instead many factors, both biological and psychological, contribute to the making of these destructive monsters.