Behavior Variable, Signature, & Modus Operandi

Ted Bundy was considered to be an unusual serial killer. This is due to the nurturing and supportive home life provided to him growing up by his grandparents. This is conflictive with the social learning theory that links these behaviors to conditioning and behavioral modeling. However there has been speculation that there was potential abuse as a child. This could simply be an attempt to better explain what seems to be irrational and unfounded behavior being demonstrated. Behavior had been demonstrated by Ted Bundy as a teenager that although problematic was not considered to be completely uncommon for a teenage boy. He was a peeping Tom and had been investigated in connection with two burglaries but no charges were ever made. This behavior was demonstrated prior to the revelation that he was raised by his grandparents and abandoned by his mother. This was a revelation that led to him re-inventing himself. It severely affected his self-esteem knowing he was not wanted by his mother. This combined with the loss of his first love Brooks seemed to take Ted Bundy on a more sinister path than previously destined for. This is evident by the similarity of his victims to Brooks. His belief that good sex was derived from an attractive woman who believed that she was going to die fueled his behavior. A behavior that he stated stemmed from an addiction to pornography. He believed that this addiction fueled hatred towards women. His addiction was for porn escalated to a point that it was no longer was able to satisfy his desires. Once the addiction was unable to be fulfilled through his normal channels he turned towards kidnapping, rape, and murder to fulfill his desires and satisfy his addiction. This was a man who had the potential to do great things in life. He had a psychology degree, was a law student, had been a boy scout and was a college graduate. He was perceived to be sophisticated and upward bound. Many would have considered Ted to be an attractive and desirable man. This only further elevated the ability to lure and entrap women. Ted Bundy played on women’s sympathy to lure them where he could control them. Once into his vehicle he would strike them over the head with a blunt object, such as a tire iron. If the woman survived the blow she would later be raped before he would strangle her to death. Most of his victims would be buried in wooded areas located in Washington. Before burying the bodies he would often spend time with the bodies. During this time he would shampoo their hair, apply make-up to their face and redress them appropriately. This was occurring during a time when his modus operandi seemed to be de-evolving. Often a serial killer becomes more proficient and effective in their abilities to evade the law. This type of behavior is considered to be a result of his belief that he was above the law and able to evade them with ease. Escaping from incarceration in Colorado Ted Bundy displayed this type of de-evolution of behavior when he started drinking and involving the bodies in rituals. He further left his former modus operandi when his final victim, a twelve year old girl, was selected as a target simply due to availability. While behavior variables are continued to be evaluated in determining the effects that it will have in creating a serial killer there are no definitive answers. A single individual can have it all and follow a more sinister path. At some point a cocky nature can be the downfall as de-evolution of the modus operandi and a careless nature will leave traces enabling an individual to be caught.

References:
Stewart, I. (2007).Serial Killer Ted Bundy Blamed Pornography for his rape and murderous Behavior. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/serial-killer-ted-bundy-blamed-pornography-his-311774.html
Nelson, B. (2011). Exploring Serial Murder from a Social Learning Perspective. Retrieved from http://www.deviantcrimes.com/serialmurder_sociallearning.htm
Turvey, B. (N.D.). Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Behavioral Evidence Analysis. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=Oge7LFaN5xYC&pg=
(N.A.). (2009). The Bueller-McGinnis Model of Serial Homicidal Behavior: An Integrated Approach. Retrieved from http:www.scientificjournals.org/journals2009/articles/1441.pdf