Theories Of John Wayne Gacy - 1313 Words

In this society there are many people who suffer from mental illness and others who are deviants. Although many confuse mental illness with deviance they are both very different things that can be related with each other due to the fact that having a mental illness is not normal and being deviant is also not normal. There are many criminals who would be considered deviants. Several theories of deviance seem to describe these types of people. There is the control, differential-association, labeling, psychological and strain theories that may determine why criminals chose to act in deviant ways. Serial killers such as John Wayne Gacy fall into some of the theories of deviance. The theories John Wayne Gacy falls into are the control theory†¦show more content†¦Gacy was a well respected man who wouldn’t be suspected of committing multiple murders. â€Å"His first known killing was in 1972, taking the life of Timothy McCoy after luring the teen to his home† (Biograp hy 1). Gacy’s strategy into luring kids (mostly boys) into his home was to roam the streets in search for these young kids and force them to go with him. In 1978 Robert Piest who was 15 years old went missing. His mother said Robert had went to Gacy’s home in search of a job but Robert never came back. â€Å"This time the Des Plaines police got involved and searched Gacy’s home† (Crime museum 1). When the police got involved they found things that weren’t his and items that were suspicious. Later on, â€Å"On December 22, 1978, facing mounting physical evidence against him from subsequent searches of his home, Gacy confessed that he had killed thirty-three young men and boys and buried most on his property† (Luongo 1). Gacy would torture, strangle, and rape these young men. Gacy was found guilty on all of the murders he committed and he was sentenced to the lethal injection. Serial killers represent a social problem in many ways. Many innocent lives are taken away by these serial killers. We as a society should care if serial killers or spree killers operate within our culture because we never know that we or a family member could be next on the list. People’s lives are taken away by these criminals; people who have a whole life aheadShow MoreRelatedJohn Wayne Gacy2054 Words   |  9 Pagesï » ¿ John Wayne Gacy Edward Low Criminology Fall 2013 Professor Ortiz INTRODUCTION On March 17, 1942, John Wayne Gacy was born into an Irish middle-class family. His parents were Marion Gacy and John Gacy Sr. Gacy Jr. had enjoyed a uninteresting childhood until he suffered a head injury at a playground when he was 11. Up until age 16, Gacy had suffered blackouts due to the injury. After all he was put through, he worshipped his fatherRead MoreJohn Wayne Gacy Jr.4936 Words   |  20 Pagesprevent crime, overall. There are five major Criminological theories, (1) Classical Theory, (2) Positivist Theory, (3) Marxist / Conflict Theory, (4) Sociological Theory, and (5) Multifactor / Integrated Theory. Classical Theory originated at about 1764 and it involves Jeremy Bentham’s Utilitarianism, which means that people choose to act when they believe their actions will bring an increase in pleasure and a decrease in pain. This theory was also founded by Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794). BeccariaRead MoreSerial Killers: Are They Born Or Made?. There Are Multiple1230 Words   |  5 Pagesare multiple theories as to why or how a person can become a serial killer. A serial killer can be a person who murders at least three or more people over a long period of time (Ramsland). Are serial killers born with the need to kill or is it a result of a horrific childhood? These two concepts are associated with the nature vs. nurture theory. â€Å"People on the side of nurture are of the opinion that our environment determines who a person is and becomes† (Salvatore). Whereas, â€Å"Theories that base theirRead MoreThe Theories Of Crime Causation1076 Words   |  5 Pages This paper will examine the three main theories of crime causation which comprise the Criminological Theory as well as provide some examples of each. The three main theories of crime causation are biological, sociological and psychological. Each of the three theories have come a long way since their inception and continue to be updated due to new findings through technological and medical advances. It also must be noted that these are theories and due to various factors and drawbacks to eachRead MoreSerial Killers And The United States1743 Words   |  7 Pagespaper will be, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Robert Berdella, Jeffery Dahmer, and lastly the most prolific serial killer in American history, Gary Ridgeway. Problems with studying serial killing, are that because of rarity and access. Most of what we think we know about serial killers is speculative for those reasons alone. This research paper will try to analyze serial murder crime and two major theories that are behind this phenomenon: social learning theory and personality theory. Lastly to be discussedRead MoreSerial Killers Essay2668 Words   |  11 Pagesalso victims of the rotten hand they were dealt. Abstract I. Definition History A. The Most Infamous Killer B. Myth Theory 1. WereWolves 2. Vampires III. Causes A. Serial Killer Characteristics B. Theories VI. Case Studies A. Charles Manson 1. Bibliographical Info 2. Childhood Trauma B. John Wayne Gacy 1. Bibliographical Info 2. Childhood Trauma V. The Female Serial Killer IV. Closing AbstractRead MoreInside the Mind of a Serial Killer Essays1049 Words   |  5 Pagesattempt to identify some of these factors. By investigating psychological theories involving men and women serial killers mental stability and violence motives, the findings from this paper suggest that more research needs to be done in order to address these societal issues and possibly prevent future violence by serial killers. Keywords: men serial killers, women serial killers, psychological studies, attachment theory Inside Thy Mind: A Psychological Study Of the Minds of Men and WomenRead MoreAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Forensic Psychology1406 Words   |  6 Pageson treatment for children and parents who are working for the law (What is Forensic Psychology). Forensic Psychologist needs to have a lot of skills to be good at their job, for instance, they need to be trained, have a good concept of scientific theory, critical thinking skills, and a lot of knowledge of social and cultural matters (Franklin). In order to be a Forensic Psychologist, they need to be: strong communication and listening skills, have the ability to establish trust with criminal offendersRead MoreThe Minds of Serial Killers and how They Work1125 Words   |  5 Pagescaused them to have issues and things that would make them later have a â€Å"tick† and cause them to go on their psychotic rampages. Most serial killers, if not all, had bad childhoods or a problem they couldn’t control, and an example of this is John Wayne Gacey. Gacey was abused and beat by his alcoholic father. Not only that, he couldn’t play with any of the other children because of a heart condition. Later on in his life things got better and he became well-liked during the 1960s and 1970s . GaceyRead MoreWhy Do Parents Behave? Essay1827 Words   |  8 Pagestraining that parents receive comes from their childhood. If one thinks about any profession, one must first undergo training to even be considered qualified. Even for the mundane task of driving a car, one requires training. In addition to learning the theory, in some states to be given a license one has to complete supervised behind-the-wheel with a licensed driving instructor (DMV). However, for the most complicated, physically exhausting, and emotionally trying job of raising a child, people aren’t