Ted Bundy's Behaviour Analysis: A Psychological Perspective

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Ted Bundy's behavior, applying both psychoanalytic and social compliance theories to understand his actions. It delves into Bundy's troubled childhood, marked by a cruel grandfather and a challenging family environment, which significantly influenced his development. The report highlights how his early exposure to violence and lack of parental attention contributed to his psychopathic tendencies. Furthermore, it examines how social compliance theory explains Bundy's adoption of negative behaviors from his surroundings, particularly his grandfather's abusive conduct. The analysis concludes that both psychoanalytic and social compliance theories offer valuable insights into the complex factors that shaped Bundy's personality and led to his heinous crimes, emphasizing the critical role of early experiences and environmental influences in the development of criminal behavior. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wide array of study tools and solved assignments for students.

Theodore Robert Bundy was an American serial killer and necrophile who was born on November 24, 1946 until January 24, 1989. Ted Bundy
kidnapped, murdered and raped many young women and girls during the times of 1970s. He was convicted but denied for his deeds for more than a
decade. Later before his execution in the year 1986, he confessed to the slaughter and killing of 30 people between the time period of 1974 to 1978.
He committed crimes in more than seven states of US. The behaviour of Bundy was usually noticed as disturbed based on certain situations. From the
age of three he started acting differently weird with his relatives. Talking about one such incident when Bundy covered his aunt with knives while she
was sleeping and was smiling while looking at her condition when she woke up. Study and analysis showed that he felt satisfaction in killing people
and looking at them in their suffering. Women whom Bundy assassinated said that he had a charming personality with attractive looks. Initially it was
believed that Bundy had bipolar disorder which was further converted into the assurance of multiple personality disorder. Also his personality was
often identified as psychopath or sociopath.
Psychoanalytic Theory
The psychoanalytic theory of personality theory can be applied to the personality
traits of Ted Bundy in the environment. It should be noted that infancy of a child
along with their emotional and mental wellbeing plays the most important role in
development of their personality as an adult. It is important to provide adequate
attention and physical touch to the child during their childhood so as to avoid
substantial personality disorder in future.
Talking about the childhood of Ted Bundy, it should be noted that he faced a
threatening childhood where he was raised by his cruel grandfather. Bundy’s had a
single mother who was assaulted during work which a bad impression on him. For the
first three years Bundy lived with his mother’s abusive father where he was asked to
avoid social contact with people. Bundy’s grandfather was an abusive man who used
to abuse his wife, dog and neighboured cats. The impression of his grandfather’s
personality highly affected him. For a person of his age, he had seen a lot more than
he should had. Thus, it should be noted that various instance at childhood can be
seen that elaborated that Bundy was left alone by his parents and used to watch cruel
things that never left his mind even after growing up. This reason clearly explained
that why Bundy attained a psychopathic behaviour after growing up.
Social Compliance Theory
Compliance refers to the social influence where an individual perform the
actions that others want them to do. Compliance refers to the change in
the attitude and behaviour of the person that is requested by another
person in the environment. According to this theory, the behaviour of the
person is influenced by other people present in the surrounding. Like in the
given case of Ted Bundy, he grasped the behaviour of his cruel grandfather
who used to beat women and disrespect people in the environment.
A Devil Behind Women: Ted Bundy
(October 30, 1974).
Conclusion
Thus, in the limelight of above mentioned
events, the fact should be noted that personality
theory of psychoanalytic and the social
compliance theories can each be applied to
analyse the behaviour of serial killer Ted Bundy.
Ted changed his behaviour towards women and
crime during his childhood only. Further, when it
was rejected by his love then he was shifted
towards the crime in the environment.References
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