John Wayne Gacy

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses John Wayne Gacy who tortured, raped and murdered over thirty young men. The writer examines possible reasons why seemingly normal people like John Wayne Gacy choose to kill. The writer explains that on the surface, Gacy appeared to be a professional, living a reasonably well-integrated life, with ties to his community and friends. The writer then looks at possible explanations for Gacy's violent behavior. The writer argues that Erikson's theory of development shows that if a developmental conflict is unresolved, the person is essentially condemned to repeat it, as an adult. The writer concludes that this explains why Gacy was unable to function normally within the community, even after apparently escaping his troubled childhood past.

Outline:
Introduction
Physical
Cognitive
Intellectually
Emotional
Personality
Moral
Theories of Personality
Erikson
Skinner
Most Convincing?

From the Paper:

"Even during his early childhood as an abused young man, Gacy seemed like a people-pleaser. He was active in the Boy Scouts and other organizations that provided a sense of community and family that he lacked at home. Later, as a salesman in Springfield, Illinois, he was the membership chairman of the Chi Rho Club, a board member of the Catholic Inter-Club Council, a commanding captain for the Federal Civil Defense for Illinois, a captain in the Chicago Civil Defense, an officer in the Holy Name Society and a member of the Catholic Jaycees. It was to this group Gacy devoted the majority of his time to and eventually became first vice-president and 'Man of the Year.' Gacy was married to a woman whose father owned a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, but rumors began to swirl that Gacy had made passes at the young men working at the chain. Gacy was incarcerated for an incident involving a man he had paid for sex and then attempted to have beaten by a thug for hire."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boeree, C. George, (1998). "Erik Erikson." Personality Theories. Retrieved 28 Oct 2006 at <http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/erikson.html>
• Boeree, George. (1998). "B. F. Skinner." Personality Theories. Retrieved 28 Oct 2006 at <http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/skinner.html>
• "John Wayne Gacy: Crime Library." (2006). Crime Library. Retrieved 28 Oct 2006 at < http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/notorious/gacy/gacy_1.html>

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