ipl-logo

David Berkowitz's Biological Theory

1226 Words5 Pages

David Berkowitz also known as the Son of Same was a serial killer who terrorized New York City during the 1970s. When he was born in New York on June 1, 1953, he was known as Richard David Falco. His birth mother put him up for adoption when he was just a few days old. He was then adopted by Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz who named him David Berkowitz. As Berkowitz was growing up, he was a smart boy but also showed many problems. At an early age, he was not interesting in learning anymore and would lash out and keep starting fires. His adoptive parents took him to a therapist who treats mental disorders but no change appeared to come out of that. At only the age of fourteen, Berkowitz’s mother died of cancer. This affected him extremely considering he was really close with her. A few years later, his father remarried a woman he did not like and moved away to Florida without him. After that, “In 1971, Berkowitz joined the Army …show more content…

The biological theory is one of the theories I would have to say that applies to him. The biological theory defines as “theories that maintain that the basic determinants of human behavior, including criminality, are constitutionally or physiologically based and often inherited” (pg. 81). When Berkowitz was just a few days old, his birth mother gave him up for adoption. As he got older, his adoptive parents told him that she was not alive and had died while giving birth to him. Berkowitz grew up with the guilt thinking that he had killed his own mother. I believe this was something that made David behave the way he did. It was said that he became a bully around his neighborhood. He was filled up with so much anger and guilt that his behavior became aggressive. The biological theory also applies to him because his behavior became more erratic when his adoptive mother died and his father later married and moved away. He had a hard time of getting use to

Show More
Related

  • David Berkowitz: Son Of Sam And 44 Caliber Killer

    1917 Words  | 8 Pages

    His early behavior in prison earned him a new nickname David Berserkowitz. He also claimed he was a Satanist at the time of the murders and said he was part of a cult that motivated him to commit the crimes he did. There was another attempt on his life in 1979 and he refused to tell anyone who the attacker was and said they must have been a part of the cult he used to attend. Berkowitz also stated he did not work alone on these murders. He claimed he was part of an occult group that sacrificed animals to satan.

    Read More

  • Richard Rameriz Research Paper

    710 Words  | 3 Pages

    The life of Richard Rameriz was unusual and strange. A serial killer that had no real purpose to kill, just the thrill. Richard was the youngest of 5 siblings to immigrants from Mexico. Him and all of his siblings had different birth defects ranging from bone deformations or respiratory problems. At the age of 2 Richard had a dresser fall on his head causing a laceration.

    Read More

  • Andrea Yates Murder Of Her Children: An Analysis

    390 Words  | 2 Pages

    After reading chapters one and two of the Psychology in Everyday Life book and learning about the four big ideas in psychology, and also while trying to figure out the contributing factors of Andrea Yates’ murder of her children. I have to focus in on and think about big idea two, the biopsychosocial approach, that integrates three levels which are biological, psychological and social/cultural; all together these factors influence and give insight into behavior and mental processes. (CITE BOOK) After reviewing these, the psychological factors that I believe to have contributed to Andrea Yates’ murder of her children are, firstly biological, Andrea had a genetic predispositions, which means Andrea had an increased likelihood of developing

    Read More

  • The Cold Cut Combo In Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

    996 Words  | 4 Pages

    He had a very difficult and terrible childhood that had scarred him. As a young boy, Perry had a difficult childhood. His mom, who later became an alcoholic, left Perry’s dad, taking Perry and his siblings to San Francisco with her. Perry was then put in a Catholic orphanage, where he was abused by the cruel nuns working there. He then began travelling with his dad until they had reached Alaska, where they decided to live.

    Read More

  • Bernie Criminal Behavior Theory

    869 Words  | 4 Pages

    People commit crimes for various reasons and many different factors contribute to a person’s mental state and behavior. There are numerous theories that attempt to explain why individuals and particular groups of people become criminals. Psychologist and psychiatrist use science and research to attempt to determine a person’s deviant behavior. A person’s mental state usually contributes to the causation of the types of crimes that they commit. The main character in the movie “Bernie” demonstrates characteristics that fit into the frustration-aggression theory, modeling theory, and behavior theory.

    Read More

  • Research Paper On Richard Kuklinski

    982 Words  | 4 Pages

    Jack Patton Dixon Criminal Justice 23 October 2017 Richard Kuklinski Richard Kuklinski is one of the most well-known serial killers in history. He was convicted of killing five people, but could have killed anywhere from one-hundred to two-hundred people. He is a very unique serial killer for many reasons. One reason is because he was paid to kill people. Most serial killers feel a compulsion to kill because of lust, anger, or similar reasons.

    Read More

  • A Raisin In The Sun Walter Character Analysis

    1488 Words  | 6 Pages

    Through these happenings he was able to become a morally sound and dynamic character. He had to go through depression, euphoria, a short period of misery and finally he reached a point where he was able to hope even through all of his difficulties. He was able to find that even though life might be tough, tight and a sometimes miserable that it’s doesn’t always have to be that. He was able to become a round dynamic character all his own. Nobody forced him to change, he might been pushed in the right direction but all of the adjustments were his to make through reflection and taking

    Read More

  • James Bulger Theory

    1004 Words  | 5 Pages

    This theory clearly rules out the effect of inherited or innate factors, and the last is the cognitive theory, which is based on how the perception of an individual is manifested into affecting his or her potential and capability to commit a crime. (Psychological theories of crime) Relating these theories to the case under study, it’s clear that the behaviour can be traced most times to faulty relationships in the family during the first years of

    Read More

  • Summary Of Evolution As Fact And Theory By Stephen Jay Gould

    340 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the article “Evolution as Fact and Theory” Stephen Jay Gould who is one of the leading theorists in evolution argues that the debate between evolutionists and creationists is pointless since creationists’ arguments lack support and evidence. Gould writes that creationists’ main argument is that evolution is only a theory. However, Gould states that it is not only a theory but also a fact. He suggests that humans evolved from apelike— whether or not is happened by Darwin’s mechanism. What Gould is saying is that there is more than enough evidence to support the theory of evolution and the question that scientists are trying to answer is how exactly all living organisms are linked.

    Read More

  • Ed Gein Psychological Theory

    1267 Words  | 6 Pages

    The events in his life, made it highly likely that would commit a crime or crimes as an adolescent or adult. Schizophrenia was the roots cause of his compulsions and delusions. Schizophrenic individuals often exhibit illogical and incoherent thought processes, and they often lack insight into their behavior and do not understand reality. A person with paranoid schizophrenia also experiences complex behavior delusions that involve wrongdoing or persecution. He was not delinquent as a child, it wasn’t until late adulthood did he began to show signs of deviant behavior.

    Read More

  • Charles Darwin And Charles Lyell's Theory Of Natural Selection

    1050 Words  | 5 Pages

    Evolution is the process of change over time. It can be split in two questions, how did something living come from something that was not alive? And, how did things that were already living turn into other living things? Natural selection is when the “breeder: is the environment. This belief of natural selection came from Charles Darwin.

    Read More

  • While Under The Influence Jon's Lack Of Personal Hygiene

    338 Words  | 2 Pages

    6.) Changes in school: He dropped out of school in third grade and began raising himself. 7.) Traumatic experiences in childhood: After killing his brother and his family abandoning him he was taken advantage of. 8.)

    Read More

  • Ted Bundy: Biological, Social And Psychological Theories

    2812 Words  | 12 Pages

    In this assignment the case study of Ted Bundy and how many biological, social and cognitive studies affect the perspective of criminals. In this case biological theories are our genetics and what we inherit from our parents and further on. These theories will be linked to Ted and if they affect how he performed the criminal acts. Introduction Ted Bundy is one of America’s most prolific serial killers who targeted brunette women in an attempt to get back at his ex-girlfriend, but also his mother who had lied about Ted’s paternity for a number of years. During Ted’s early life he went by the name of Theodore Robert Cowell.

    Read More

  • The Chrysalids Argumentative Essay

    2488 Words  | 10 Pages

    David was taught to believe in the same things but he does not understand where it is coming from. Thus, David is struggling to understand the meanings behind these sayings. This community has taught children from the day they were born to believe that even a slight difference is bad. It shows the cruelty of the society because they have only one world view and do not think any other views are considered right. It is due to their ignorance towards acceptance that they are creating more trouble.

    Read More

  • Essay On Charles Darwin's Theory Of Natural Selection

    1250 Words  | 5 Pages

    Charles Darwin became famous for his theory of natural selection. This theory suggests that a change in heritability traits takes place in a population over time. This is due to random mutations that occur in the genome of an individual organism, and offspring can inherit these mutations. This was defined as the key to evolution, this is because random mutations arise in the genome of an individual. Until the 19th century, the prevailing view in western societies was that differences between individuals of species were uninteresting departures from their platonic ideals of created kinds.

    Read More

More about David Berkowitz's Biological Theory

Open Document