Crim 2330 Essay Charles Manson PDF

Preview

Summary

Essay on the trials against Charles manson including a psychological analysis ...

Description

Running head: A VILLAIN VS. A HERO

1

A Villain vs. A Hero: The Psychological Differences Between A Villain and A Hero Daralee James, Levi Legroulx, Ama Esenam, & Sarah Hansen Kwantlen Polytechnic University December 3,2017

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 2

A Villain vs. A Hero: The Psychological Differences Between A Villain and A Hero Villain: Charles Manson Charles Manson was an infamous American cult leader known for the notorious murders of American actress Sharon Tate and other hollywood stars that took place in the late 1960’s. Manson spent a vast majority of his life in and out of institutions and prison, which began in his early childhood and carried on throughout his adulthood. Throughout the course of his life, he displayed many risk factors that are consistent with those who are considered psychopathic and antisocial personality oriented. Manson can be defined as a manipulative and charmful narcissistic who used his deceptive ways for evil. Manson’s life began November 12, 1934 in Cincinnati, Ohio where he was born to Kathleen Maddox, a sixteen year old who was both a prostitute and an alcoholic. Charles never had the opportunity to meet his biological father so his last name came from William Manson, a man his mother sustained a brief marriage with but had ended in divorce very quickly. His mother reportedly sold him for a pitcher of beer during his childhood to a woman who wanted to have children (CNN, 2013). This resulted in him being found by his Uncle whom was granted custody of Manson when his mother was sentenced to five years in prison, and upon release he was disowned by Kathleen. Manson’s childhood was characterized by family dysfunction and early behavioural problems that led him to the beginning of a life behind bars. When Manson was nine years old, he was sent to a reform school for stealing (Cook, 2011, p. 54). He was caught stealing again at the age of twelve and was then sent to another institution at the Gibault School for Boys in Terre Haute, Indiana (CNN, 2013). Less than a year later he ran away and

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 3

tried to go back home to his mother who then contacted authorities, and sent him back. However, he ran away again, and took care of himself through means of theft and petty crimes. At age thirteen, Manson ended up in the care of a non-profit organization named Boys Town that cares for troubled youth in the hopes of giving them a second chance at life (Cook, 2011, p. 55). He found himself involved with harassment and stressors in the violent and problematic environments. Soon after he turned sixteen he set himself free yet again from a pattern of being institutionalized and wound up on the West coast where he engaged in petty crimes to support himself. In the state of Utah is where Charles was arrested and sent to a Washington, DC to a federal reformatory. He took part in psychological testing which proved him to be illiterate but what was later discovered was that his illiterate ways was Manson’s mechanism of disorting others perceptions of him and underestimate him. (Cook, 2011, p. 55). He spent approximately three years in federal reformatories before release under parole at age nineteen. Charles married a waitress named Rosalie Willis, and supported their relationship through unconventional methods such as car theft, but did work in a few low paying jobs. Manson and his new bride eventually had a baby together but due to many years of institutionalization, he was “untrained in any skills that could help support him and his new family” (Cook, 2011, p. 56). As a result of the car theft, he was sent away to prison, and missed the birth of his son, Charles Manson Jr. Eventually his wife Rosalie left Manson for another man, which left him damaged and more angry than ever before. Released in the fall of 1958, he supported his life through being a pimp and had a second child with a women whose name is not publicly known. He faced federal charges of stealing a check from a mailbox and attempting to cash a government check. Manson did not receive jail time but instead probation which was

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 4

revoked two years later after charges were made after an incident where he deceived a friend into making investments into a non existent company and also raped the women's roommate (Cook, 2011, p. 56). These charges resulted in him receiving a seven and a half year sentence, but he only served seven and was released again in 1967. In San Francisco, Manson became involved in the use of psychedelic drugs and substances and identified the most with those classified as “hippies”. He also met his third baby mother, Mary Brunner who was a librarian and environmentalist. Together, they recruited many teenagers who soon became followers of their values and ideals of saving the planet. These followers travelled with Manson and Brunner and relocated to an isolated ranch in California. At the ranch, the couple and their abundant group of followers used a lot of hard drugs and psychedelics and lived a very parasitic lifestyle. Manson eventually became a cult leader of the followers who was named “The Manson Family” and had convinced his followers that he was Jesus Christ “reincarnated”. At this time period of his life, he was not used life outside of prison and did not develop the necessary prosocial skills that would have enabled him to think situations through appropriately and rationally. This is evident in the destructive behaviour following his move to Los Angeles. Manson somehow met Gary Hinman, a music teacher who then introduced him to Dennis WIlson, a member of the Beach Boys (CNN, 2013). Because of Wilson, Charles gets introduced to Terry Melcher, a record producer, and becomes excited and shows him his music but was later rejected a record deal which may have left Manson offended and enraged . This resulted in him instructing his followers Bobby Beausoleil, Susan Atkins and Mary Brunner, both women belonging to the “Manson family”, to kill Gary Hinman.

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 5

The next murder incident took place on August 8, 1969 at 10050 Cielo Drive, a residence Melcher had occupied at one point but was renting the home to an actress Sharon Tate and her husband Roman Polanski. Manson had commanded some of his most loyal followers to atrociously murder those who occupied this residence which was said to have “represented the showbiz world that had rejected Manson” (Biography). Found dead at the scene by their housekeeper included Tate, Polanski and their friends Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, and her boyfriend Wojiciech Frykowski. Investigators discovered a total of 169 stab wounds and 7 gunshot wounds. Manson's last murder incident since incarceration took place the very next night, joining him were followers Tex Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten. According to investigators, Manson initially broke into the home of Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary and tied them up in separate homes. He left the home and commanded his accomplices to carry out the murders which resulted in Labianca being stabbed twenty-six times and his wife forty-one times. They were found the next day by their son. LaBianca was found with a pillowcase over his head and in blood on the walls was written with the victim's blood “Death to Pigs Rise,” and the misspelled, “Helter Skelter” (Cook, 2011, p. 59). Manson and his followers managed to stay in hiding for two months after the murders in the California deserts but eventually they were captured under suspicion of auto-theft. In the month of December was Manson ,Watson, Atkins, Krenwinkel and Kasabian were each indicted for the murders of Sharon Tate and her friends. The group plus Van Houten were also indicted for the murders of the LaBiancas. The trial did not begin until June 16, 1970 where Manson appears with an “X” carved on his forehead. After seven months all defendants were found guilty. Charles was

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 6

sentenced to the death penalty but he avoided this consequence soon after California abolished the death penalty in 1972 (CNN, 2013) which meant that his fate would be a life behind bars. Manson died at the age of 83 on November 19, 2017 after serving serving time in California State Prison since 1971 where he was denied parole numerous times and reportedly accumulated hundreds of serious disciplinary violations in prison since and displayed no remorse for the murders. Manson also had a “history of manipulation, controlling behavior and mental illnesses which include schizophrenia and paranoid delusional behavior” (CNN, 2013). Manson also exhibits failure to accept responsibility for his actions during a hearing in 1992 where he is quoted "I was never at the scene of any crime," he said smugly during one hearing in 1992. "I never directly told anybody to go anywhere or do anything."(Maclean's, 2012). It is very clear that the early onset environmental and familial characteristics predisposed him to a life of institutionalization and brutal murders, resulting in Manson being infamously known as one of the world's most vicious cult leaders to exist. Psychological Theories Charles Manson is known for being the renowned killer and cult leader who was convicted of first degree murder for the killing of seven Hollywood stars and is facing nine life sentences Charles Manson has a long list of psychological issues, and risk factors that contributed to the circumstances that caused him to commit these horrendous crimes. First of all, Charles Manson had shown signs of significant risk factors during his life. He also had shown some moderate and low risk factors. Charles Manson demonstrated all major risk factors for committing a crime, these include history of antisocial behavior, antisocial personality pattern, antisocial cognition, and antisocial associates (Brown et al ,2017).

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 7

For Charles Manson he had a history of antisocial behavior. Due to him being unable to return to his mother’s home, he was eventually homeless and relied on small crime to support him (Biography.com Editors). This lifestyle would eventually lead to him finding himself in jail during his teenage years. For Charles Manson this would lead to him having a past of antisocial behavior as this was the beginning of his issues with the law. To follow Charles Manson was born with an antisocial personality pattern, and this was evident throughout his life. He had personality traits that demonstrated a clear obsession of cults and cult culture (Biography.com, Editors). Charles Manson was known to be constantly chasing affection from those who surrounded him (Biography.com, Editors). This was caused by his mother not giving him the love and affection that he wanted while a child as he was constantly unwanted. He was then trying to get the affection from others later in his life, and was strongly looking for please through the affection of others. These risk factors have contributed to the risk factor of Antisocial Personality Pattern with Charles Manson.

Through his cult that he created, he was associated with others were involved in antisocial activities. Although he was the leader of the cult, he was involved with those who had a similar thought process and ideology for crime and this increased his likelihood that Charles Manson would commit crime. To go along with antisocial associates, Charles Manson was antisocial himself. He has significant antisocial behavior stemming from his desire for a non social lifestyle. Charles Manson had no desire for a conventional lifestyle and chose against any pro social lifestyle choices. To achieve his unconventional lifestyle he moved to a small deserted ranch in the San Fernando Valley to follow this antisocial lifestyle.

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 8

Charles Manson had some strong antisocial beliefs and values that were supportive of a criminal lifestyle. Charles Manson had strong connection from a young age. He was constantly surrounded by crime throughout his life. For him, this created the idea that crime was simply just a way of life. Charles Manson was known to have emotional states of anger for periods of time and this would have contributed to the crimes that were committed by those in his cult. The clearest example is the killing that he orchestrated for to be committed by those within his cult. Charles Manson also had some moderate risk factors that may have to the criminal activity that he was involved in. He was known to have been a routine LSD user along with other hallucinogenic drugs such as mushrooms. This would be a moderate risk factor for crime as it is altering his current state of mind and out of what is reality. Charles Manson also had another moderate contributing factor to that led to his criminality; he had an awfully rough childhood with a very young mother. He did not get an opportunity to meet his biological father. He had a very unfortunate childhood which can lead to antisocial behavior in the future, which it did for Charles Manson.

Charles Manson had many psychological issues that can be explained by Hirschi’s control theory. This theory works off the idea that criminals avoid crime due to socials bonds created with society. In Charles Mansons case it is a lack of socials bonds that has lead him to commit crime. Charles Manson has a lack of commitment to pro social and conventional pursuits and rather has committed time and investments in a antisocial and pro crime lifestyle. Within this theory of crime, it identifies that with low self control and a large amount of opportunity, the likelihood of crime will increase. This was the case in with Charles Manson,

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 9

there was a large amount of opportunity to control those within his cult to commit crime as he had authority over his cult members. With the large amount of opportunity to commit crime and a low amount of self control would lead to high probability for crime according to Hirschi’s control theory. As well individuals who are impulsive and lack the ability to have any self control are more likely to be involved in criminal activity. The ability to change your impulsivity is very difficult to do after childhood, this may be why Charles Manson did not change his lack of self control from his first run in with the law (Buker, 2011). He did not have the ability to change his impulsivity to commit crimes. Charles Manson criminality can be explained by Hirschi’s control theory.

Charles Manson was very manipulate with his cult followers in a way that he could change their points of view and manage their actions. For those who followed his manipulative ways, it can be explained using Sutherlands Differential Theory. This theory identifies that crime would be learned through communication with those you spend time with. The probability that you will follow those you spend time with is increased with the frequency, duration priority and intensity of the time that you spend with those who are living antisocial lives and in this case Charles Manson. This is evident with those who followed Charles Mansons cult as those who followed his cult were seeing Charles Manson at multiple times and for long periods and durations. Charles Manson would be very intense with his followers. These factors led to some of his followers to commit murder that was ordered by Charles Manson.

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 10

Hero: Agu The movie, Beasts of No Nations, shot in Ghana, and starring Abraham Attah as Agu depicts personality characteristics that are linked to behavior, such as psychopathy, antisocial personality disorder and delinquent behavior. In the movie, Agu lived in a small village in a West African country with his parents, older brother, and two younger siblings. A civil war broke out, and Agu’s father found a vehicle to carry his wife and two youngest children to safety. He stayed behind with Agu and his eldest son, as insurgent and government forces fought in and around Agu’s village. While the rebels fled, government soldiers rounded up the remaining villagers, and accused them of rebellion. As they were about to be executed in the open, Agu’s father asked his two sons to run shortly before he was shot and killed. The two boys tried to break free, but the older brother was killed. Agu avoided arrest, and escaped into an area of land overgrown with dense forest. He was caught up in a guerrilla fighting where the Native Defense Forces (NDF) accepted Agu as a soldier. Agu was guided and protected by the battalion Commandant. After a barbaric initiation process where Agu was exposed to various mentally disturbing activities, which included beatings and being ordered to kill a prisoner by sinking his blade deep into the man’s skull, he become a fully-fledged member of the military force that engaged in rebel or terrorist activities. At a tender age of thirteen - a school going age, Agu become a child soldier with individual risk factors, such as impulsivity, which is the order of the militia to act without a forethought. Other risks included attention problems, low intelligence that is caused by being controlled and directed by a leader, and low school attainment for lack of education, as emphasized by Moffit et al. (1994) that low intelligent quotient and delayed language development have both been linked to delinquency. It

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 11

is known that children with low academic performance are at higher risk for child delinquency than other children. As a child, Agu can be influenced by the prevailing behavior, standards and values held by those whom he feels attached, such as his parents who lead by example. His parents will protect him against crime risk. However, Agu has fallen into the hands of strangers. They are constantly committing crimes of abuse, drugs, killings, stealing, molestation, and getting drunk. One night, the Commandant sent an order for Agu to go to his residence, and he raped him. Being surrounded by these acts can have an effect on Agu, as Shader (2003) emphasizes that where one lives can impact the chance of committing crime. This was portrayed when Agu mistakes a woman for his mother. However, when he realized that he was wrong, he shot the woman while she was being raped, because Agu is trapped in a disorganized society that causes crime due to the lack of social controls, and as a result a criminal culture prevails. This structure opens opportunity for Agu to learn crime through association with criminals, especially where forms of criminal activities are acceptable. Crime like any other thing is an activity that is learned, as supported by Cassel & Bernstein (2001) who describe learning as “a change in pre-existing behavior or mental process that occurs as a result of experience” (as cited in Brown et al., 2017, p. 76). Sutherland (1947) further puts forth that the paramount activity of learning criminal behavior happens within acquainted people (as cited in Brown et al., 2017, p. 83), so being in the company of antisocial associates is a fertile environment for Agu to learn from his criminal friends, and have the tendency of isolation from pro-social people. His Commandant and comrades bear antisocial attitudes – negative attitudes toward the law – so it makes it easy for Agu to adopt the practices of the others.

A VILLAIN VS. A HERO 12

The absence of Agu’s mother has caused him to suffer from maternal deprivation. According to Bowlby (1989), disruption to mother-child relationship causes the child not to develop the means to control his conduct and will be more likely to display antisocial behavior. After the abuse by the Commandant, Agu’s bond to his leaders and the battalion weakens, although he has to remain loyal, and obey instructions. This creates another avenue for Agu to become a criminal. Hirschi (2002) argues that “delinquent acts result when an individual’s bond to society is weak and broken” (cited in Brown et al., 2017, p. 73). Agu is now likely to commit a deviant act since there is no strong social bond any longer since there is no attachment, commitment, involvement and belief that would adva...