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Running head: DISMISSIVE ATTACHMENT AND VIOLENT MEDIA
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Dismissive Attachment and Violent Media: A Fatal Combination in Ted Bundy
Barbara Bryan
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
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DISMISSIVE ATTACHMENT AND VIOLENT MEDIA
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Dismissive Attachment and Violent Media: A Fatal Combination in Ted Bundy
In this paper a serial killer will be examined in light of two psychological explanations.
Page numbers
The serial killer examined in this paper will be Ted Bundy. His crimes will be briefly described, appear
consecutively
in the top
The
unless greater detail is needed to enhance a further understanding. Following that will be a
right hand
introduction
of your paper description of background characteristics of Ted Bundy that are relevant to the issues within this corner on
each page.
should
include a
paper. The first psychological explanation that will be described and then applied to Ted Bundy They start
description
on the title
of the
page.
is that of attachment. Specifically the idea of the avoidant-dismissive attachment style will be
variables or
arguments
explored in relation to Bundy. The other psychological explanation is that violent media
and your
NOTE:
thesis.
stimulates aggression. These factors, in combination with other risk factors allowed Ted Bundy double
spacing, 1
inch
to become the sadistic sexual killer that he was.
margins and
Times New
The Serial Killer
Roman
font.
Ted Bundy was a prolific serial killer. He claimed the lives of at least 25 young women
and estimates range upwards of 35 (Bell, 2007; Rule, 1980). Bundy was thought to be a sexual
sadist, which is evidenced by the details of his crime. For example, in one attack he shoved a bed
In-text citations
post into the vagina of a victim (Bell, 2007; Rule, 1980). As far as anyone knows the murders he include the
authors’ names
and the year of
committed took place between 1974 and 1978 (Rule, 1980). All of his victims were female
publication.
When citing
(Rule, 1980).
more than one
work in one
Bundy‟s mother, Eleanor Cowell, also called Louise, came from a strict religious family citation the
work appears
alphabetically.
(Rule, 1980). She became pregnant with Ted at the age of twenty-two while she was unwed
(Rule, 1980). As such, she was sent to an institution for unwed mothers, and that is where
Theodore Robert Cowell was born on the 24th of November, 1946 (Rule, 1980). Ted and his
mother Louise returned to her parent‟s house in Philadelphia where Ted was told to call his
DISMISSIVE ATTACHMENT AND VIOLENT MEDIA
3
grandparents mother and father (Rule, 1980). Bundy loved and respected the man he believed to
be his father, despite the reports that Bundy‟s grandfather had an eruptive temper and enjoyed
pornography (Bundy & Dobson, 2004; Rule, 1980). When Ted was four years old Louise took
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Manual.
Ted to live in the state of Washington with other family members (Rule, 1980). This separation
from Ted‟s biological grandfather is said to have been a traumatic event for Ted as he had
formed a bond with his grandfather (Rule, 1980). After the move Louise married a military cook
named Johnnie Culpepper Bundy in 1951 (Rule, 1980). Although Bundy‟s stepfather Johnnie
engaged in many activities with Ted while Ted was growing up, the two never really formed any
sort of bond (Rule, 1980). Bundy was described as being „removed‟ and „uncomfortable‟ with
Johnnie (Rule, 1980). As well, there are reports that Bundy‟s stepfather engaged in abusive
punishment (Rule, 1980). Even though it is reported that Bundy says he did not grow up in an
abusive household, he may have been abused with a belt as a child and adolescent, justifying
such actions as “punishment” (Bundy & Dobson, 2004; Rule, 1980). This may have contributed
to an avoidant dismissive personality, which in turn would be conducive to murder.
Attachment Theory
Attachment theory was founded by Bowlby (1969), but has gained the attention of many
other researchers as well (Ainsworth, 1979; Birnbaum, 2007; Bowlby, 1969; Burton & Lyn,
2004). Attachment theory has an evolutionary basis and posits that infants form attachments to a
caregiver to ensure their survival (Birnbaum, 2007). Different attachment styles will develop
depending on the relationship between the infant and caregiver, and specifically the quality of
interactions with the caregiver (Birnbaum, 2007). If a caregiver is consistently attentive and
nurturing a person will grow to have a secure attachment style in which they can develop healthy
relationships (Birnbaum, 2007). Whereas, if a caregiver is inconsistent in the way and amount of
DISMISSIVE ATTACHMENT AND VIOLENT MEDIA
4
time spent with an infant then that infant will grow to be a person that may end up developing an
insecure attachment style (Birnbaum, 2007). It is suggested that there are two different ways of
responding to inconsistency and neglect during infancy (Birnbaum, 2007), however only one of
those is of importance here, which is to “deactivate” (Birnbaum, 2007). In this way of
responding an infant becomes withdrawn and distances themselves from their caregiver
(Birnbaum, 2007). This would be an example of an avoidant-dismissive attachment style, which
is of interest to this paper. Attachment theorists suggest that a “disruption” in attachments that
are developing in infancy and childhood will lead to adjustment problems in adulthood
concerning relationships and self regulation (Feerick, Haugaard & Hien, 2002). It has been found
that people with the avoidant-dismissive attachment style would not have had a good relationship
with their fathers while growing up, and also do not continue to talk to their parents as they are in
adulthood (Arrigo & Griffin, 2004). There have been studies that show that maltreatment (read:
abuse) of a child is linked to insecure attachment styles both in the childhood and adulthood
Titles
written in
the body of
the paper
are given in
full and
italicized.
(Feerick, Haugaard & Hien, 2002). As well, a study by Feerick, Haugaard and Hien (2002)
entitled Child Maltreatment and Adulthood Violence: The Contribution of Attachment and Drug
Abuse found that insecure attachment styles are a risk factor in the victimization and perpetration
of violence.
It is the opinion of this paper that Ted Bundy developed an avoidant-dismissive
attachment style. Bundy did not know his biological father (Rule, 1980). As stated before Bundy
did not have a good relationship with his stepfather, which has been described as a characteristic
of someone with a dismissive attachment style (Arrigo & Griffin, 2004). As well, when Bundy
was four years old he was taken from his grandparents, who he believed were his parents (Rule,
1980). Leaving his grandfather may have been a “disruption” in the development of a
DISMISSIVE ATTACHMENT AND VIOLENT MEDIA
5
relationship with someone very important to Bundy, which could have initiated the development
of the dismissive attachment style. However, that which initiated the development of a
dismissive attachment style also could have been that Bundy was born inside an institution for
unwed mothers. In such an institution it may not have been a nurturing environment in which
Bundy could receive a lot of attention from his mother. Another fact that may illuminate
characteristics that allowed Bundy to develop a dismissive attachment style is that he was abused
by his stepfather with a belt in what has been referred to as “corporal punishment” (Rule, 1980).
Bundy certainly possessed some characteristics that evidenced an avoidant-dismissive
attachment style; however there are limitations to applying this theory to Bundy as well.
The study that found that abuse in childhood is associated with perpetration and
victimization of violence had conducted their research on a sample of women (Feerick, Haugaard
& Hien, 2002). As well, there is not a massive amount of evidence that says that Bundy did not
maintain a relationship with his parents as he got older. It is possible that such an area of
Bundy‟s life was not of interest to authors that wrote about him and therefore evidence about his
relationships with his parents, Johnnie and Louise, is limited.
Violent Media
Another psychological explanation that can be applied to Ted Bundy is that of violence in
the media and its link to aggression. There have been a larger number of studies, both qualitative
and quantitative, that have been conducted over the last few decades and have found that
violence within the media is a significant factor in aggressive behaviour for all age groups
(Anderson & Bushman, 2001). In fact, mass media helps to shape and reflect cultural values
(Shope, 2004). Further, studies have shown that exposure to violent pornography increases
sexual aggression towards woman (Shope, 2004). Another study also found that being exposed
DISMISSIVE ATTACHMENT AND VIOLENT MEDIA
6
to nonviolent or violent pornography increases attitudes in sexual aggression (Shope, 2004).
Moreover, another study found that the more pornography is used and the more violent the
content of the pornography the more likely the men were going to be involved in sexual assault
or harassment (Shope, 2004). It has also been found that criminal populations are more aroused
by pornography than non-criminal populations (Shope, 2004). However, not every male that
watches pornography is sexually aggressive; therefore there are other contributory factors that
play a role when a man commits rape or sexual assault (Shope, 2004). This paper contends that
one of the other contributory factors that made Ted Bundy sexually aggressive was his insecure,
dismissive attachment style along with the combination of the harmful effects of pornography.
It was not until after Bundy was convicted and going to be executed that he spoke up
about his use of pornography, and when he did finally speak up he allowed Dr. James Dobson to
conduct an interview (Bundy & Dobson, 2004). It is speculative why Bundy allowed Dr. James
Dobson to interview him, but it would probably have to do with the fact that Bundy was
condemning pornography as does Dr. Dobson and they were both republicans (Bundy &
Dobson, 2004). The interview is not evidence that pornography does cause harm, however it is
interesting to note that Bundy recognized that the pornography he viewed had an effect on him.
It was reported that Bundy started to view pornography when he was 13 years old (Bundy &
Dobson, 2004). He also admitted to viewing violent pornography (Bundy & Dobson, 2004). As
well, Bundy recognized that the media he was consuming was shaping his views or “molding”
him, as he put it (Bundy & Dobson, 2004). Given the findings about aggression and violent
media, particularly pornography, it would be a wonder that pornography did not have an
influence on someone that found extreme gratification from the dehumanization and destruction
of other people.
DISMISSIVE ATTACHMENT AND VIOLENT MEDIA
7
Conclusion
It is
There are quite a few limitations when trying to analyze Ted Bundy from an attachment
important to
discuss
limitations
framework and attempting to find a link between his consumption of violent media and his
of the
research.
crimes. Some of the limitations illuminated include a study whose sample was female instead of
Acknowledging
problems,
male; some of the research is not generalizable to the larger population; as well, there may not be
the
implications enough information about the subject, Bundy, and it may be impossible to discover anymore
of those
problems
information as he is no longer alive (Rule, 1980). These are a few of the limitations but certainly
and posing
potential
not an exhaustive list. Despite the limitations, the attachment framework may enable discovery
solutions is
important
about why someone would commit atrocities like those done by Ted Bundy. As well,
because you
want the
highlighting the information about pornography, aggression and criminality it is shown that there
reader to
have a full
is reason for further investigation as to the direct and indirect effects of viewing violent
understanding
of the
pornography. One might want to think twice before allowing a population that objectifies women
issues.
to view violent pornography as it perpetuates and contributes to aggression and negative
attitudes. If Ted Bundy did not have access to violent media and was able to form a secure
attachment to a caregiver he may not have become a violent sexual serial killer.
The
conclusion
should
recap the
arguments
and main
points and
discuss
further
research.
DISMISSIVE ATTACHMENT AND VIOLENT MEDIA
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8
References
Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1979). Infant-mother attachment. American Psychologist, 34, 932-937.
Anderson, C. A. & Bushman, B. J. (2001). Media violence and American public: Scientific fact
versus media misinformation. American Psychologist, 56, 477-489.
Arrigo, B. A. & Griffin, A. (2004). Serial murder and the case of Aileen Wuornos: Attachment
theory, psychopathy and predatory aggression. Behavioral Sciences and Law, 22, 375393.
Bell, R. (2007). The Ted Bundy story: The early years. Retrieved from
http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/notorious/bundy/2.html.
Birnbaum, G. E. (2007). Beyond the borders of reality: Attachment orientations and
sexual fantasies. Personal Relationships, 14, 321-342.
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Attachment, volume 1. London, UK: Hogarth
Bundy, T. & Dobson, J. (2004, January 27). The last interview with Ted Bundy. [Radio interview].
Retrieved from http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1515802
Burton, D. L. & Lyn, T. S. (2004). Adult attachment and sexual offender status. American
Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 2, 150-159.
Feerick, M. M., Haugaard J. J. & Hein, D. A. (2002). Child maltreatment and adulthood
Journal articles
violence: The contribution of attachment and drug abuse. Child Maltreatment, 7, 226 - that are found
through electroni
databases are
240. doi: 10.1177/107755950200700305
identified by the
digital object
Rule, A. (1980). The stranger beside me. New York: W. W. Norton.
identifier or DOI
Shope, J. H. (2004). When words are not enough: The search for the effect of pornography on number shown
here.
abused women. Violence Against Women, 10, 56-72. doi: 10.1177/1077801203256003