Developmental Theory, Critical-Conflict Theory and Ted Bundy

Developmental Theory, Critical-Conflict Theory and Ted Bundy

The Role of Behavioral Theory and Conflict & Critical Theory on Ted Bundy

There are many theories that can be analyzed in order to try and explain why crimes occur. Among these theories are development theory, conflict, and critical theories. These theories seek to explain behaviors that influence crime and criminal behaviors. While conflict and critical theories seek to explain why crimes occur based on an individual's role in society, developmental theory seeks to explain why crimes occur based on the development of an individual's persona. In the case of serial murder Ted Bundy, it can be argued that the application of developmental theory can explain his actions moreso than conflict and critical theories.

Conflict theory argues that "crime is a result of conflicting interests and values among members of a community; groups with less voice in a society are at risk for being treated as criminal when they behave according to their intents, especially when interests conflict with those in power" (Arrigo, 2006, p. 319). In order for conflict theory to be applicable, there must be a set of interests and values that are agreed to -- a social contract -- individuals within a society agree to abide by. These laws are intended to create a safe society and many times protect the rights of individuals that consent to living within a community. Ted Bundy's actions contradict these established laws and regulations. Bundy's crimes included rape, kidnapping, murder, and necrophilia (Bell, n.d.). The heinous nature of these crimes contradicts the values of many individuals that live within society. The punishment for these crimes is also considered so severe that being charged and convicted of any of these crimes will result in a long incarceration and possibly the death penalty. In Bundy's case, he received three death penalties in two separate trials for the crimes that he committed in Florida (Bell, n.d.).

Critical theories explore "the idea of what justice is and for whom justice is served; theories suggesting that those who create and enforce laws also manipulate them, and these laws function to benefit the needs and interests of those who govern and oppress and pacify those that are governed" (Arrigo, 2006, p. 319). It can be argued that these critical theories are not applicable to Bundy because there is no indication that he gave any thought to his actions; the impulsivity of his crimes also indicates that forming a critical and organized opinion on the matter was not something that he considered.

Developmental theories, on the other hand, analyze the formation of an individual's personality based on psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanistic, and sociocultural and biosocial perspectives (Arrigo, 2006, p. 20). Based on these perspectives, developmental theory can help to explain Bundy's actions and help identify factors that led to criminal events. Psychoanalytic approaches, within the overarching developmental theory, contend that unconscious and repressed forces, in addition to feelings and situations, impact personality formation (Arrigo, 2006, p. 22). Given the instability of his childhood -- not knowing his biological father and being left in the care of his grandparents at an early age -- psychoanalytic factors may have contributed to the formation of his psyche. Additionally, the development of his psyche could also have been impacted by his grandfather who has been described as "an inflexible perfectionist given easy to verbal abuse and the occasional physical abuse of cats, dogs, and his wife" (Simon, 2008, p. 266). The behaviorist approach of developmental theory contends that environmental factors contribute to the formation of personality (Arrigo, 2006, p. 22). As mentioned previously, Bundy was left with his abusive grandfather at an early age and it is likely that during the time that he was in his grandparents' care, Bundy grew to understand that his grandfather's behavior was acceptable. Bundy was also known for his ferocious anger and his compulsive behavior; it is this compulsive behavior that led him to eventually become careless and aggressive in his attacks (Bell, n.d.). The humanist approach of developmental theory argues that personality is developed through parent-child interactions (Arrigo, 2006, p. 22). There is evidence to support that Bundy did not have very strong relationships with his mother and stepfather. Despite the fact that Bundy had been led to believe that his grandparents were his parents and his mother was his sister in order to avoid social stigma, he and his mother, Louise, moved to Tacoma, Washington when Bundy was four. In May 1951, a little over a year after the mother and son moved to Tacoma, Louise married Johnnie Culpepper Bundy, a military cook (Bell, n.d.). Despite the fact that Bundy's stepfather tried to bond with his stepson by trying to get him to participate in father-son activities such as camping trips, the two were never able to form a bond and they remained emotionally unattached from each other (Bell, n.d.). Not much information is given about Bundy's relationship with his mother, however it is believed that he was resentful of her throughout his life for having lied about his parentage and leaving him to find out the details himself (Rule, 2009, p. 51). Sociocultural and biosocial approaches acknowledge the impact of cultural roles, group dynamics, social contexts, and family values in the formation of an individual's personality. It is difficult to ascertain the extent of the impact of sociocultural and biosocial approaches on his persona did not allow him to develop connections to anything or anybody despite the fact that he appeared to be outgoing, popular, and extremely intelligent. His underlying sociopathic tendencies allowed him to attack, rape, murder, and kidnap women without remorse.