Antisocial
Personality Disorder
Ted Bundy: A Perfect Storm
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASP) is defined as “the chronic
manifestation of antisocial behavior patterns in impulsive or amoral persons.”
The general characteristics associated with these types of behavioral patterns
include impulsiveness, inability to delay gratification, narcissism, and
problems effectively accepting and dealing with authority. (Vorvick &
Merrill, 2010) In this paper we will examine one of the most prominent cases of
Antisocial Personality Disorder; Theodore Robert Bundy. We will examine the
biological, cognitive, behavioral and emotional components of the disorder that
defined the man and his actions.
Our study begins in a sleepy town in the fall of 1948 in Burlington
Vermont. Theodore Robert Cowell is born in the Elizabeth Lund home for unwed
mothers to Eleanor Louis Cowell. From the moment of his birth his very identity
is challenged as his mother moves them home to Philadelphia to live with his
grandparents; calling herself his sister and leaving his grandparents to the
business of raising the boy. A few short years later she would once again
challenge his identity by moving to Tacoma Washington and marrying John Bundy;
giving the child a name and legitimacy. The transformation to Theodore Robert
Bundy was quick and unwelcomed by young Theodore. In these early years Theodore
would begin to demonstrate antisocial behaviors that would later be diagnosed
as Antisocial Personality Disorder and his actions would eventually earn him
the title of one of the most prolific serial killers of our time. (Opfer, n.d.)
The capture of Bundy in February 1978 would spur forward the infant
science of Forensic Psychology as William Hagmaier of the FBI’s Behavioral
Sciences Unit in Quantico Virginia would be one of the last to interview Bundy.
His interviews would shed considerable light on the components associated with
the formation of such a prolific killer.
Hagmaier stated “with his ability to articulate why he made certain choices
and why he let certain people die. He has become a standard by which other
serial killers are measured.”(Sinclair, Koeppen & Golden, 1996) In his
interviews he was able to outline the characteristics associated with the
formation of such killers. He noted the rational execution of the crime, the
ability to appear “normal”, killing as a form of fulfillment of emotional need
for control and power, and sexual gratification as a secondary need; as well as
allowing for the forgone conclusion of an existing personality disorder such as
ASP. (Geberth, 1990)
There are many components involved in the evolution of Antisocial
Personality disorder and the subsequent violent and criminal behaviors
associated. In a paper written by Elizabeth Kandel PhD. of the University of
New Hampshire; she notes that the potential biological connections to the
development of this type of disorder can be associated with prenatal or birth
trauma as well as a genetic link for aggressive psychological disorders.
Kandel’s study revealed that there was strong connection between birth
complications and recitative violence; however the associations between ASP and
birth complications were indeed weak at best. Kandel then concludes that the
association of ASP and violent behaviors such as those of Bundy come from
different etiologies. (Kandel, 1991)
The assumption that there may in fact be some connection between birth
trauma and the creation of such a man as Ted Bundy lacks any real concrete
connections. Although it is taken into account in the evolution as Bundy’s own
accounts of his mother’s traumatic experiences during the birth of his siblings
are believed to be an accurate account of his birth as well. (Opfer, n.d.) The
understanding of the trauma his mother suffered pointed more towards the
emotional components associated with the evolution of this disorder in Bundy.
Emotionally Bundy was crippled; unable to experience empathy,
affection, or even a conscience. These primary emotional components or rather
lack thereof became an excellent breeding ground for the dark and charismatic
Bundy. In his youth he was believed to have been exposed to unrelenting
cruelty, at the hands of his grandfather and open neglect from his mother. His
exposure to a sporadically critical and cruel caregiver set the stage for the
development of the impulsive emotional needs. (Black, 2006)
Bundy‘s care changed dramatically after his mother removed him from the
care of his grandparents. He had gone from the abusive and critical care to one
of neglect through disassociation. As the illegitimate child; his existence
failed to have an impact on the family structure and would provide yet another
breeding ground for the continued evolution of ASP (Opfer, n.d.) The lack of
structure associated with Bundy’s needs and desires created the perfect
instances to foster a lack of control of impulses. This lack of delayed
gratification contributed to the creation of a significant component of ASP.
(Black, 2006)
Bundy’s intelligence also played an important role in the development
of his emotional and behavioral responses. He suffered no notable cognitive
impairments; in fact Bundy was reported to have an IQ of 124 at the time of his
arrest; although his actual IQ is much debated. (Geberth, 1990) This lack of cognitive impairment seemed to
feed his ability to manipulate those around him and set him apart as an
Organized Serial Killer. As an organized serial killer he demonstrated an above
average intelligence, was methodical and logical in his planning and commission
of his crimes. (Sinclair, Koeppen & Golden, 1996)
Bundy’s behaviors throughout his childhood and early adulthood did not
scream out antisocial in anyway. In fact they helped to create a “mask of
normalcy” that would become an intricate part of his psychopathic behaviors. As an honor student of psychology he learned
much and put this knowledge to use in the commission of his crimes. His use of knowledge allowed him a level of
adaptability that would not easily be surpassed in the annals of criminal
history. The severity and intimacy of Bundy’s crimes seems to be the only
outward indicator to his psychopathy. (Geberth, 1990)
Closing Thoughts
Through Bundy and other serial killer examinations it was discovered
that the combination of biological, emotional, behavioral and cognitive
components may vary in depth and degree but the each shares some common
association with each category in determining the psychopathy and implications
of ASP. At the San Antonio Symposium of Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for
Investigators; Dr.Hare and his team determined “the distinct cluster of
personality traits and socially-deviant behaviors of an individual fall into
four factors: interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and anti-social. The
combination of these individual personality traits, interpersonal styles, and
socially deviant lifestyles are the framework of psychopathy and can manifest
themselves differently in individual psychopaths.” (Mueller, 2005)
In the beginning of this paper it was stated that ASP is “the chronic
manifestation of antisocial behavior patterns in impulsive or amoral persons.”
In the final hours of Bundy’s life he claimed to be a victim as he laid the
blame for the development of ASP squarely at the feet of the pornographic
industry. It is this writer’s opinion that Bundy was in fact the result of a
perfect storm resulting in a determination of ASP.
This diagnosis although revealing was not typical as Bundy was
considered to be Factor I Psychopath as he demonstrated atypical
characteristics such as elevated intelligence and few evidenced instances early
on in life. (Meyer, Chapman and Weaver, 2009)
Unfortunately we must consider the sources of information and with the
case of Ted Bundy most was offered by him thus coloring the facts with his
skewed view of the world and his place in it.
References
Black, D. (2006). What Causes Antisocial Personality Disorder?. Psych
Central. Retrieved on October 21, 2011, from
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-causes-antisocial-personality-disorder/
Geberth V. J. (1990) Serial Killer and the Revelations of Ted Bundy. Law
and Order, Volume:38, Issue:5, Pages:72-77. National Institute
of Justice. Retrieved from http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=123871
Kandel E. PhD. ( 1991) Biology, Violence, and Antisocial Personality. New
Hampshire University. Family Research Lab. Durham NH. Retrieved from: http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED337729.pdf
Mueller R. (2005) Serial Murder: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for
Investigators Symposium. Behavioral Analysis Unit-2. National Center for the
Analysis of Violent Crime. Critical Incident Response Group. Federal Bureau of
Investigation. San Antonio Texas. Materials Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-murder/serial-murder-1#four
Meyer, R., Chapman, L.K & Weaver, C.M. (2009). Case studies in abnormal behavior. (8th ed.). Boston:
Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.
Opfer C. (n.d.) Criminal Profile: Ted Bundy. Investigation Discovery.
Discovery Communications LLC. Silver Spring, MD. Retrieved from: http://investigation.discovery.com/criminals/serial-killers/ted-bundy.html
Sinclair M., Koeppen P. & Golden T. (June, 1996) New
Detectives: Fatal Compulsions. Investigation Discovery. Discovery
Communications, LLC. Silver Spring, MD. Retrieved from: http://vimeo.com/18974130
Vorvick L. MD. & Merrill D.B. MD (November, 2010) Antisocial
personality disorder. Sociopathic personality; Sociopathy; Personality disorder
– antisocial. National Center for
Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. 8600
Rockville Pike, Bethesda MD, 20894 USA. Retrieved
from:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/about/
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