Introduction Charles Manson is infamous for orchestrating one of the most brutal crime sprees in modern history. In August 1969, Manson and his followers, known as "The Manson Family," committed a series of heinous murders in Los Angeles, dramatically impacting the perception of the 1960s counterculture. Manson, driven by delusions of an impending apocalyptic race war, sought to incite chaos and advance his radical beliefs. On August 9, 1969, Manson’s followers, including Charles "Tex" Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Linda Kasabian, carried out murders at the Beverly Hills home of Roman Polanski. The victims were Polanski’s pregnant wife, Sharon Tate, and four others: Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, and Jay Sebring. The violence …show more content…
Manson’s followers broke in, bound the couple, and murdered them in a gruesome fashion, using their blood to write messages on the walls (Crime + Investigation, n.d.). Manson did not participate directly but used his psychological control and delusional beliefs to manipulate his followers into committing these acts. Initially arrested for unrelated crimes, Manson and his followers were linked to the murders after Susan Atkins confessed while detained for a different offense. The trial exposed the extent of Manson’s manipulation and the psychological control he exerted over his followers (Crime + Investigation, n.d.). Manson’s delusions and manipulative tactics underscored the dangerous impact of charismatic leaders who exploit vulnerable individuals. Theory Charles Manson’s actions and those of his followers can be analyzed through several psychological theories to better understand their motivations and behaviors. Social Influence Theory offers insights into how Manson's followers were swayed by his authority and the group dynamics at play. According to Solomon Asch’s research on conformity, individuals often align their behaviors with group norms, even when they disagree (Asch,