Ted Bundy Describe the Crime Term Paper

"There are at least four (4) different subtypes -- common, alienated, aggressive, and dyssocial. Commons are characterized mostly by their lack of conscience; the alienated by their inability to love or be loved; aggressives by a consistent sadistic streak; and dyssocials by an ability to abide by gang rules, as long as those rules are the wrong rules" (O'Connor, 2005). Bundy clearly falls into the aggressive category.

Describe and explain whether the individual may be a psychopath as defined by Hare.

On Hare's checklist of psychopathology, Bundy has nearly all of the traits, including glib and superficial charm (with women), a grandiose (exaggeratedly high) estimation of himself (as exemplified by his defense of himself in court), a need for stimulation, pathological lying, cunning and manipulativeness and a lack of remorse or guilt that caused him to play games with the law until the eve of his execution. Throughout his life he showed superficial emotional responsiveness, callousness and lack of empathy, promiscuity, and impulsivity (such as when he escaped from jail). The only traits on Hare's scale he lacked are that of a parasitic lifestyle, early behavior problems, and lack of long-term goals

Provide a reasoned, logical argument about what you think may be the reason behind these person's criminal actions.A true psychopath is fortunately a rare thing, but Bundy seems to 'fit the bill.' His lack of remorse, his relatively rich opportunities in life, and his utter callousness to the victims and their families all underline this fact. The 'reason' behind Bundy's behavior lies in his failure to develop a personality structure that could admit to the humanity of other individuals. This is not only true of his female victims, but of all human beings, as he never established close male friendships, showed a desire to grandstand in the media, and showed no compassion for his victim's families, until virtually his dying breath.

Works Cited

Chua-Eoan, Howard. "Ted Bundy." Time Magazine: Crimes of the Century.2007. 18 Aug 2007. http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Hare-Psychopathy-Checklist.html

http://www.time.com/time/2007/crimes/14.html

The Early Years." Ted Bundy. Crime Library. Serial Killers: Most Notorious.2007.

18 Aug 2007. http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Hare-Psychopathy-Checklist.html

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/notorious/bundy/2.html

Hare Psychopathology Checklist. Mind disorders. 2007. 18 Aug 2007. http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Hare-Psychopathy-Checklist.html

O' Connor, Tom. "Antisocial Personality, S0ciopathy, and Psychiatry." 7 Oct 2005.

18 Aug 2007. http://faculty.ncwc.edu/TOCONNOR/428/default.htm.....