Ted Bundy, an American Serial Killer

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Theory Content
Policy Recommendation
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Ted Bundy is an American serial killer associated with kidnapping, raping, and murdering several young women and girls in the early 1970s. He became infamous because of these crimes, being against society’s beliefs and values. Ted Bundy was born on the twenty-fourth of November 1946 in Burlington, Vermont. Ted Bundy was the son of Eleanor Louise Cowell; however, his father is not well-known. The unclear information about his biological father affects his early life because he was told that his grandparents are his parents and his mother is an older sister (Sastry, 2020). When he learned he was a bastard, he was angry with his mother for life. Bundy was married to Carole Boone, who was a mother of two.

Bundy’s aberrations did not manifest visibly in his childhood and university ages. As Sastry notices, “Bundy was an obedient and respectful child who also performed well in school” (Sastry, 2020). He is a graduate with a degree in psychology from the University of Washington. Bundy was actively involved in political affairs in his country; he was outwardly confident and participated in social matters. He was part of the team that worked in the campaign of the Republican governor of Washington, who later rewarded him with a recommendation letter. However, none of this prevented his career as a serial killer.

Bundy has murdered more than thirty-six young women; he raped and killed them after. Although, as Venas notes, “the actual count of the people he murdered remains a mystery” (Venas, 2019). After Bundy got admission to law school, the act of women disappearing emerged. A year later, the police arrested him, and he was linked with sinister crimes based on the items he was caught with. Moreover, Bundy escaped from prison twice and committed other crimes. The police later on convicted him, and this time around, he could not delay justice any longer. Venas writes, “Bundy was found guilty on both murder charges and given two death sentences” (Venas, 2019). He appealed for the death sentence at the Supreme Court, but his appeal was rejected. In the year 1989, Bundy was executed by the use of an electric chair.

Theory Content

Rational Choice Theory

The rational choice theory states that an individual uses his rationality to achieve his goals; decisions are made with calculations of all costs, risks, and benefits. Lambert emphasizes, “At the heart of rational choice is an analysis of the thought or cognitive means by which individuals process information from the environment” (Lambert, 2017). For instance, Bundy used to lure his victim into his car, pretending to be injured and seeking assistance, which later turned to rape and murder of his victims. The theory suggests that individuals venture into criminal activities based on their decisions in life. That is, social behaviors are a result of the decision made by the individual. Besides, the rational choice theory is more concerned with people’s choices. Every action that an individual is involved in significantly depends on the conclusion that they make. For example, Bundy committed another crime immediately after escaping from prison.

Therefore, an individual involves in criminal activities as a result of the decision that they make. The rational choice theory assumes that an action committed by an individual is motivated by the individual interest and the orientation to the consequences. Furthermore, the theory assumes that the results in any circumstance depend on an individual’s choices or options in making decisions. Here an individual is supposed to be aware of the consequences of their actions. Hence, an individual ventures into criminal activities depending on their personal decision. For instance, Bundy had chosen the path of a serial killer during his time.

Application of Rational Choice Theory

The rational choice theory concerns the social perception or instead approaches to human action. The choices involved have many effects on both human judgment and effort. The police could not easily detect Bundy’s criminal activity since he had no adult criminal record. Bundy decided to change his career from psychology and pursued law. His education aided his career as a serial killer, which later resulted in his death.

The rational choice theory explains that choices that people make in life significantly influence their behaviors. Bundy developed weird behaviors because of the decision he made concerning his life. Nobody can be coerced into immoral behaviors, but they choose to venture into such activities depending on their interests. The control of the actions that an individual performs or does lies in their conscious agreement to perform such actions. Bundy’s judgment on issues that affected him could have led to his act of raping and killing his victims. The decisions people make lead to the development of behavior that may lead to significant consequences. In Bundy’s case, he decided on his terrible experience of a breakup with his college girlfriend. The rational choice theory argues that criminals are rational in making choices.

Despite the results of crime, the perceived benefits of committing criminal activities outweigh the consequences that they will be subjected to. The theory stipulates that before individuals decide to commit a crime, they have known awaiting the result of their actions. This means one would examine what awaits them before executing a particular activity. Therefore, Bundy, being a law and psychology student, was likely to be healthy about his actions. Most of Bundy’s murder victims resemble his first love, whom he broke up with, indicating that he had a clear decision on the specific individual to attack.

Policy Recommendation

There are several programs and policies established to stop or reduce crime. Some procedures that can reduce or prevent crime include police arresting suspects and known criminals to deal with criminal activities. The government should introduce a compulsory rehabilitation process for the people suspected to be criminals to be taught how to live in society. The confirmed criminal should be taken to correctional facilities for better change. Additionally, police operation is essential in preventing gang operations and organized illegal activities. Therefore, police operation and arrest in one of the policies can assist people like Bundy in stopping criminal activities.

The government should make crime unprofitable to practice. The government should impose a high fine on criminals upon conviction. Criminals should be subjected to brutal conditions to make people like Bundy stop their criminal acts. Additionally, imposing high penalties on criminal offenders would discourage other people that may like to venture into illegal activities. All these measures align with the rational choice theory, for they are “aimed at finding immediate and practical solutions to crime problems” (Ekblom, 2019). Jail terms should be increased to make those tempted to get involved in criminal activities find an alternative means of earning a living rather than engaging in criminality.

The government is introducing mandatory rehabilitation for people who have been involved in criminal activities. People like Ted Bundy who have engaged in serious illegal activities should be subjected to compulsory rehabilitation to help in reducing criminality. Through repair, convicted criminals such as Bundy can be exposed to other pieces of training that would make them develop business ideologies, thus creating less time to be thinking about illegal activities.

The government may also include a court penalty to avail correctional facilities. Subjecting criminal offenders to lengthy jail terms would provide opportunities for criminals such as Bundy to change their behaviors and nurture good manners. The judgment passed to criminal offenders should be extreme to act as a lesson to the criminal offenders, thus discouraging the future reoccurrence of such illegal activities. Hence, once the action is depressed, the probability of such activities occurring will be minimal, reducing or completely doing away with criminal activities. Judgment such as the death penalty is more likely to reduce criminal activities than any other form of punishment. Besides, corporal punishment can also be used in reducing illegal activities.

Furthermore, the government can also introduce a development prevention policy specifically designed to prevent the development of potentially criminal people. This policy would not allow them to engage in any unlawful activities or allow them to explore their ill-motive intentions to harm the community. Also, Ekblom notes that the Rational Choice Perspective “was aimed at developing a theoretical understanding of human behavior when faced with the opportunity to offend (Ekblom, 2019). Thus, studying the potential criminals would enable the government to develop strategies to help reduce criminal activities and promote reforms in the police sector on handling criminals to ensure they are changed.

Conclusion

Development prevention will also pave the way for measures to prevent criminal activities that may occur. Therefore, the government should put the following policies to avoid unlawful activities: development prevention, death penalty, high fines, and charges. Additionally, capital punishment and corporal punishment would be better for dealing with criminal activities in society. It also requires unity among the people. The people must stand together to fight illegal activities and ensure that people live in peace without any form of fear.

References

Ekblom, P. (2019). Rebuilding Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Strengthening the Links with Crime Science. Taylor & Francis.

Lambert, R. D. (2017). Routine Activity and Rational Choice. Volume 5. Taylor & Francis.

Sastry, Dr. V.V.L.N. (2020). Serial Killer Ted Bundy. Independently Published.

Venas, A. R. (2019). Soul Eaters. Lulu.com.

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