Ted Bundy

[Lexicon]

Ted Bundy demonstrated a pattern of alarming/aberrant behaviors well before his heartbreak in early adulthood (though this definitely left an impact and it's not surprising many of his victims fit shared the same physical traits as this past lover).

He was born in a Home For Unwed Mothers & left there during the 1st 3 months of his life - a crucial period for healthy attachment/cognitive development - where he received limited physical contact/consistency (this can be extremely damaging to an infant's brain). This carried over when his grandparents gained custody. the grandmother was also distant and struggled w/mental health issues, the grandfather was a drunk/violent. At 3 yrs old Ted Bundy took all the knives from the kitchen and surrounded his sleeping aunt with them - pointy ends facing her. On death row, he admitted to intrusive, violent fantasies and an obsession with death in childhood, and frequently stalked neighbors/engaged in illegal, predatory/voyeuristic behaviors.

Abuse and sexual abuse, rejection, etc - these are not sole drivers of the murder, rape, and necrophilia Bundy engaged in. Many other people experience similar upbringings, if not worse, and don't develop these patterns or lack empathy. He had anti-social personality disorder and narcissism. Even these elements don't always lead to criminal behavior. Bundy's evolution is, like all of ours, related to a complex set of biopsychosocial factors.

Like many serial killers, he was not a genius. He was above average intelligence - but that's not saying much. He lacked the drive to finish school (couldn't hack the structure and meeting the deadlines of others, poor impulse ctrl, etc). He was conventionally attractive, which attributes to some of the unconscious social bias that elevates his intellect to 'genius' in many discussions. He had social skills/was articulate, which, combined with his appearance, made him charismatic to many people, victims & the justice system alike. His ability to evade the police - again, like many serial killers of the age - was not related to complex ingenuity but a few key decisions (don't piss where you live), and the limitations of law enforcement in terms of tech advances and collaboration/communication across state lines back then.

Typewise - my current guess is fucked-up ESFJ - a little like Homelander from The Boys. That stated, personality disorders can be a confounding factor in personality typing, though that's not exact in its own right, anyway.

 

[The Cat]

Ted Bundy demonstrated a pattern of alarming/aberrant behaviors well before his heartbreak in early adulthood (though this definitely left an impact and it's not surprising many of his victims fit shared the same physical traits as this past lover).

He was born in a Home For Unwed Mothers & left there during the 1st 3 months of his life - a crucial period for healthy attachment/cognitive development - where he received limited physical contact/consistency (this can be extremely damaging to an infant's brain). This carried over when his grandparents gained custody. the grandmother was also distant and struggled w/mental health issues, the grandfather was a drunk/violent. At 3 yrs old Ted Bundy took all the knives from the kitchen and surrounded his sleeping aunt with them - pointy ends facing her. On death row, he admitted to intrusive violent fantasies and an obsession with death in childhood, and frequently stalked neighbors/engaged in illegal, predatory voyeuristic behaviors.

Abuse and sexual abuse, rejection, etc - these are not sole drivers of the murder, rape, and necrophilia Bundy engaged in. Many other people experience similar upbringings, if not worse, and don't develop these patterns or lack empathy. He had anti-social personality disorder and narcissism. Even these elements don't always lead to criminal behavior. Bundy's evolution is, like all of ours, related to a complex set of biopsychosocial factors.

I've always felt that Ted was a guy who didnt know when to stop fantasizing, and didnt have the good sense to turn his intrusive fantasies into fiction. In another world, the guy became a successful novelist instead a serial killer. But his career shows a pattern of a guy in over his head, just led around by his... ah...lets say... growing urge to dip a toe into the turbulent waters of a hottub.... of murder.

The guy was just one long slow burn of escalation that seemingly could have been interrupted had he been capable of any vulnerability with even a single professional paying attention. The Arthur Fleck Joker reminds me of theodore a bit. But there were definitely some squirming toads behind blue eyes.