BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS OF ED GEIN

 

   BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS OF ED GEIN

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Background

Early Life: Born in 1906 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Ed Gein grew up 

in an oppressive household where his father was an alcoholic and 

his mother, Augusta, was extremely domineering and instilled in 

him a puritanical view of life, particularly regarding sexuality and 

women.

Isolation: After his father's death and his brother's mysterious 

demise, Gein lived with his mother, becoming increasingly isolated,

 especially after her death in 1945. This isolation fueled his bizarre

 behaviors.

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Behavioral Patterns

Psychosexual Development:

 Gein's development was severely stunted due to his mother's 

controlling nature. His fixation on his mother, combined with a lack

 of social interaction and exposure to typical sexual development, 

led to an unusual sexual pathology. He developed necrophilic 

tendencies, which were later expressed in his crimes.

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Criminal Behavior:

Grave Robbing:

 Gein would dig up recently buried women who reminded him of 

his mother, taking body parts to create a grotesque "woman suit" 

he hoped to wear to become his mother. This act was not only a 

criminal activity but also a profound expression of his 

psychological disturbance.

Murders:

 Gein was convicted of murdering two women, Bernice Worden and

 Mary Hogan, although he confessed to only these crimes, there 

are suspicions of more. His crimes were driven by an intense, 

twisted desire to "bring back" his mother in some form, mixing 

elements of necrophilia, fetishism, and perhaps a form of gender 

dysphoria or identity confusion.

Trophies and Artifacts:

 Gein kept various body parts and made items from human skin, 

like bowls and lamps. This behavior indicates a profound 

disconnection from human empathy, viewing humans more as 

objects or materials rather than living beings.

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Psychological Analysis

Diagnosis: Gein would likely fit several psychiatric diagnoses:

Schizoid Personality Disorder: 

Marked by a lack of interest in social relationships, a preference for

 solitary activities, and emotional coldness.

Psychotic Features:

 His behavior suggests he might have experienced psychotic 

episodes, where he was out of touch with reality, particularly in his

 necrophilic acts and the creation of human artifacts.

Transvestic Fetishism:

 His desire to wear women's skin could be interpreted under this,

 though complex with his mother fixation.

Motivation: 

Gein's motivations were deeply rooted in his relationship with his 

mother, his isolation, and his inability to process normal grief, 

leading to extreme behaviors as a coping mechanism or a twisted 

form of preservation.

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Impact on Criminology

Cultural Impact:

 Ed Gein's case influenced numerous works of fiction, including 

films like "Psycho," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and "The 

Silence of the Lambs," highlighting how real-life horror can 

permeate popular culture.

Criminal Profiling:

 Gein's case was one of the earliest to be studied by those who 

would later develop criminal profiling techniques, giving insights 

into the mind of a serial killer with fetishistic and necrophilic 

tendencies.

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In conclusion, Ed Gein's behavior presents a case study in the 

intersection of severe psychological disturbance, social isolation, 

and criminal activity, offering insights into how complex and 

multifaceted human behavior can be when shaped by extreme 

circumstances.