ipl-logo

Examples Of Machiavellianism In Ted Bundy

929 Words4 Pages

Machiavellianism in Ted Bundy

Ted Bundy, one of the most notorious serial killers in United States history, is driven by a Machiavellian personality. Over the span of four years, Bundy was held responsible for over thirty-five murders of young females in seven states (cite something). A person who exhibits a Machiavellian personality is calculating in order to intentionally manipulate social situations and deceive others for power and control (Mayer, 2014). In his final interview before his execution, Bundy reveals his motivations for carrying out so many ruthless murders; he states, “Murder is not about lust, and it’s not about violence. It’s about possession.” (cite academia). Ted Bundy exemplifies a Machiavellian personality through manipulation …show more content…

Bundy was capable at charming and leading his victims to believe that he had good intentions. During multiple abductions of college women, witnesses reported the perpetrator was wearing a sling or leg cast and seemed to be struggling with a briefcase. Bundy asked women to help him carry his belongings to his car, where he then assaulted them. Multiple women on dark college campuses were approached by Bundy and kidnapped through this form of manipulation (Ramsland 2013). One of the most prominent Machiavellianism social behaviors includes pretending to be hurt in order to get someone to do a favor (cite buss and Craik). In experimental settings, those who score higher on Machiavellian personality are likely to be skilled liars, telling more convincing lies, making close eye contact, and sticking to a consistent story (Exline, et al., 1970). Liz Kendall, an ex-girlfriend of Bundy recalls her experience meeting the charming killer. The two met at a bar, and Bundy nonchalantly stated he was applying to law school and planning on writing a book in order to impress her. Although this was a blatant lie, Liz believed the stranger and stated he portrayed a certain confidence and seemed to be in control of his world (Ramsland 2013). During an interview, Bundy

Show More
Related
1622 Words | 7 Pages

Richard Angelo How can a good person become a serial killer? What makes them change their way of thinking? The desire of power, attention, and recognition are big factors that can make you change or transform into a bad person. These were the reasons that made good citizen Richard Angelo become a dangerous serial killer. Richard Angelo had a huge desire of becoming a hero and being a person to look up to.

Read More
1070 Words | 5 Pages

He explains his killings as strictly business. Some of them are debatable, but most of them are business. In my opinion he would not be classified as a serial killer. He just did a different kind of business that is illegal, but he had no remorse for his killings. He definitely knew exactly what he was doing, he did his killings to make a living for his family.

Read More
952 Words | 4 Pages

Many of the most prolific serial killers in American history share indistinguishable characteristics. Some of these attributes are narcissism, charm, arrogance and more. Infamous serial killers like Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, and H. H. Holmes depict these characteristics and are notorious for their charming aura. Using their charm to lure victims and to fly under law enforcement's radar. Bundy, Manson, and Holmes personality’s and M.O’s coincides with one another, as many serial killers do.

Read More
592 Words | 3 Pages

“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” said Niccolo Machiavelli. Niccolo Machiavelli is often called the father of modern political science and Don John a fictional character that relates most to Machiavelli’s teaching. Being a Machiavellian means that you will do almost anything for your personal gain, and Don John is seen replicating this several times in the play. Don John is more Machievallian than his companion Borachio in the story Much Ado About Nothing written by William Shakespeare.

Read More
675 Words | 3 Pages

The Power of Manipulation: The Dark Side of This Common Word Have you ever felt like you were being controlled or used? Have you ever felt like you were being lied to for someone to get what they want? Maybe you didn’t even realize it was happening. If you have ever found yourself in this situation, you were probably being manipulated. Manipulation is the act of controlling or influencing a person or situation cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously.

Read More
1203 Words | 5 Pages

In How to Read Literature Like a Professor Thomas C. Foster writes about how to thoroughly read and analyze literature. He focuses on the many different aspects of writing that are used by authors. Despite being a relatively serious and informational subject, Foster is able to use language that is entertaining and more light hearted. He uses many jokes and puns in his book, and even many titles include artistically worded headings that grab the reader's’ attention.

Read More
982 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, manipulation is used repeatedly throughout the play. Julius Caesar uses the skill of manipulation to rise in political power. Caesar sways the common people towards his favor by denying a crown offered to him three times. This had convinced the common folk to believe Caesar is more than worthy to obtain the crown. Caesar’s followers such as Casca had received this mindset as well.

Read More
786 Words | 4 Pages

To give one example of manipulation, Flannery O'Connor, Georgia State author of "A Good Man Is Hard to Find", writes that "You wouldn't shoot a lady, would you?"(421). The grandmother is trying to make the misfit vulnerable, even though he has already killed everyone but her. She's begging the misfit for her life. Every one of those people would still be alive if it was not for the grandmother. She did not have much hope left anyways for her life because she annoyed the misfit with her ugly and selfish ways.

Read More
1407 Words | 6 Pages

Murder is defined as the illegal taking of another human's life and is grounded in the intent of this action. Many murders occur at the time due to an increased passion of a situation; jealousy, anger, or a lapse in judgment that leads to someone else's death. In the case of serial killers, this is not about the passion of a onetime situation, it can be a compulsion that drives a person to kill over and over. The cause of this compulsion is motivated by mental illness, a sense of duty to a particular person or entity, or it is a way to release pent-up frustrations that the killer does not have the emotional capability to handle. This last one is the case for Edmund "Ed" Kemper III, also known as the Co-Ed Killer.

Read More
1831 Words | 8 Pages

Sasha Sheppard Ms. Stubenrauch Psychology per. 1 10, December, 2015 The Kemper Files What would drive a person to kill? What would make them continue ending lives? According to the dictionary, a serial killer is a person who murders three or more people, usually due to abnormal psychological gratification.

Read More
544 Words | 3 Pages

Crucible Theme: Power and manipulation Universal Theme Statement: When trying to gain power, people will often manipulate the people around them in order to attain more power for themselves. Quote #1: “She thinks to dance with me on my wife's grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat.

Read More
798 Words | 4 Pages

Everyone uses manipulation In different forms to keep their control. In lord of the flies jack uses fear as a manipulative tool to maintain his control. “the chief was sitting there, naked to the waist, His face blocked with white and red. The tribe lay in semicircle before him.

Read More
2445 Words | 10 Pages

Those who have experience with this attribute tend to be those who were bullied, were a bully, previously held, or are currently holding positions of power over others. “Individuals with Machiavellian traits are just as likely to engage in antisocial behavior as individuals high in callous-unemotional traits and narcissistic traits, but their behavior is less impulsive and more dependent on the situation, involving more strategy and the use of less severe and more covert methods.” (Lau and Marsee

Read More
1375 Words | 6 Pages

Ted Bundy was a notorious serial murderer who’s reign of terror lasted from 1974 to 1978. Bundy was convicted of three homicides and was sentenced to death for all three charges. However, at the time of his execution, Bundy confessed to 30 murders however the exact number of victims is still unknown. Bundy’s crimes evolved over time but he was both a sexual sadist and a necrophiliac serial killer. At the beginning of his rampage, Bundy would sneak into the victims house in the middle of the night, violently attack them while they were sleeping with a blunt object and then Bundy would usually sexually assault them.

Read More
944 Words | 4 Pages

Manipulation is shown in many ways such as politics, the media, misleading information and false advertising. To convey one’s thoughts to your own advantage is seen as crude and unnecessary. However, many people have their reasons in manipulating someone whether they are good or bad. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the concept of taking advantage of someone through manipulation leads to unnecessary, horrible events.

Read More

More about Examples Of Machiavellianism In Ted Bundy

Related Topics

Open Document