This paper explores three criminological theories as to why Jeffrey Dahmer committed his crimes. Although these approaches vary in terms of defining the cause of crime, one thing is certain, there is no single cause of crime; the crime is rooted in a diversity of causes and takes a variety of forms depending on the situation in which the crimes occur. However, the published articles vary in their definitions and uses of Criminological Theory. Rawlins (2005) suggest that the criminal phenomenon is too complex to be explained by a single theory. Other theories suggest differently and; therefore, have varying explanations. This paper examines the Psychological, Biochemical, and Social Process theories to slightly explain Jeffrey Dahmer’s actions. …show more content…
During Dahmer’s psychiatric evaluation, Dr. Wahlstrom concluded, “Jeffrey was suffering from a mental illness never cured for” (FBI 1992). This leads me to perceive that Dahmer must have been displaying psychotic traits that went unnoticed and undocumented during his early lifetime. I can only speculate that this uncured mental illness lead Dahmer to develop and refine his inability to empathize with society; which in turn, lead him to engage in cruelty without mentally comprehending the victim’s suffering. Although the causes for psychopathy are unclear, some suggest that psychogenic aspects can outline abnormalities which may be present in psychopaths (Schmalleger 2014). When looking at Dahmer’s distant relationship with his parents early on in his childhood, I became conscious of the fact the lack of affection from his parents which may have lead him to develop twisted views on how one should display affection to others, thus prompting him to show psychotic behavior later on in life (The profile of Jeffrey Dahmer 1996). Even though the letter of the law fails to describe Dahmer and even if he was not fit to stand trial, I believe the court would have declared him fit for trial due to the brutality of the …show more content…
Abram Hoffer found that disruptive children consumed far less the optimum levels of vitamin B3 and B6 than did nonproblem youths (as stated in Schmallger 2014). I then speculated if the injections that Dahmer received could have in fact counter acted the necessary vitamins for normal brain growth. Researchers also have concluded that low levels of serotonin are directly related to a person’s inability to control aggressive impulses (Schmallger 2014). Could these injections account for a mental instability in Dahmer? I believe that the injections could have attributed to his inability to associate with his classmates and teachers causing him not to develop key fundamental social practices to help him transition into a larger scale of society. “One Swedish study that focused on variations in blood serum levels of two thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (FT4), found that elevated T3 levels were related to alcoholism and criminality” (as stated in Schmallger 2014). Modern science has allowed researchers to look in depth at these discoveries that indicate relationships between Dahmer’s behavior and chemical imbalance; nevertheless, these extensive studies can only allow us to look into a small portion of the actual causes of his
Lionel and Joyce Dahmer gave birth to their first born, Jeffrey Dahmer, on May 21, 1960 in Milwaukee. Despite Joyce experiencing a difficult pregnancy, Dahmer was a healthy child who was wanted and adored by both his parents. However, his mother did start to become distant to him as she refused to breast feed him and started demonstrating unstable behavior along with substance abuse. Meanwhile, his father was pursuing his doctoral for chemistry in Iowa which limited the time Lionel had with his family. At age five, Dahmer’s little brother was born and that was when the feeling of neglect set in him. For the first time, the little attention provided from his parents had to be shared with his brother David. Dahmer began displaying extreme shyness but also severe tantrums. During the ages of six and seven, Dahmer “was regarded by other children as odd and bizarre (Martens, 2005).” Even though he did not show any interest in developing genuine social relations, Dahmer did demonstrate a fascination with bug and animal dissections. When Dahmer was six he had “undergone hernia surgery, when he woke up from the anesthesia he was worried someone could have cut his genitals, the pain lasted for one week and after a long recovery period his parents remember he turned to be very loner (Giannetakis, n.d.).” It is believed that at age eight Dahmer had been sexually abused by a boy in his neighborhood (Hickey, 2013). If this event did occur, it could explain why he developed destructive sexual fantasies at the young age of twelve. Despite him being aloof, it has been reported that he would seek attention by faking epileptic seizures at school and local shops. By his adolescent years, he developed compulsive masturbation which would eventually lead to legal trouble (Silva, 2002). At the age of fourteen, Dahmer turned to alcohol abuse in order to overcome his feeling of despair and compulsive thoughts of sexual violent acts.
“My Consuming lust was to experience their bodies. I viewed them as objects, as strangers. It's hard for me to believe a human being could have done what I've done.” Quote by Jeffrey Dahmer. In the dates of 1978-1991 Jeffrey Dahmer also known as the Milwaukee Cannibal. A serial killer and sex offender who committed rape, murder, dismemberment, necrophilia, and cannibalism of 17 men. How are people able to become a killer, is it their childhood, a trauma, or even a mental disability. In Jeffrey Dahmer's case, it was seen from a very young age that he was distant and or felt neglect. Early on he had a interest with animals, he would find animals by the road a dismember them and store them in a jar. Dahmer committed his first murder at the age
Jeffrey Dahmer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1960, into the household of Lionel and Joyce Dahmer [Biography.com Editors] As a newborn and young child, he appeared to have no mental or physical problems and was a very curious and outgoing child. Although as he grew older and after he moved three times, other problems started to reside around Jeff, he was very socially awkward and had a very hard time connecting
Jeffrey Dahmer was one of the country’s most notorious serial killers who committed the rape, murder, and dismemberment of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. He used creativity of brutality, unique disposed of bodies, and had a detailed process of choosing his victims.
Jeffrey Dahmer was an American serial killer who raped, murdered, and cannibalized 17 men before he died in 1994 (n/a. 2016). According to most accounts, Dahmer had a normal childhood but as he got older, he became withdrawn and uncommunicative (n/a. 2016). He started to show very little interest in hobbies and social interactions between age 10 and 15 (n/a.
Data has been collecting reporting that “31% of people who had both a substance abuse disorder and a psychiatric disorder (a "dual diagnosis") committed at least one act of violence in a year, compared with 18% of people with a psychiatric disorder alone. This confirmed other research that substance abuse is a key contributor to violent behavior” (Harvard Health Publishing). This can be applied to Dahmer’s case. It is said that after getting hernia surgery when he was four, Dahmer was never the same. He went from a regular playful child to a distant anxious one. When becoming an adolescent, one will develop an interest in concepts and hobbies. For Dahmer it animal carcasses. He would find roadkill, “dissect and dismember them. He explained that he wanted to know how each animal "fitted together"(Cahill). This could come off as creepy and off-putting, but he was not hurting anyone. It is believed that his parents’ constant fighting and moving was the catalyst in making his obsession with carcasses into a dangerous one. “Children from broken homes are nine times more likely to commit crimes than those from stable families” (Bloxham). His drive to kill could quite possibly be linked to the fact that he simply linked to his familial issues. These problems in the family are definitely linked to his drinking problems as well. Dahmer’s
This paper will provide an introduction of Jeffrey Dahmer a horrific serial killer from the early 1980’s. A background of Jeffrey Dahmer will be supplied as well as information regarding the legal issues he encountered during his crime spree. The author will provide methods of data collection used which mostly include interviews of the serial killer. A diagnosis of mental disorders suffered by Jeffrey Dahmer will be assessed in detail. This paper will discuss all related psychosocial and family issues associated with this killer as well as any vocational or career issues that were present for Dahmer. A proposed treatment will be presented with options for interventions and continuing assessment with follow-up. Lastly, any potential legal and/or ethical issues that were present in this case will be reviewed.
Over the years, the theory has evolved into today’s foremost biological crime theory. The theory takes into account genetics and disorders that may be inherited. One example of a disorder that is genetic is antisocial personality disorder. This specific disorder is accompanied by a variety of side effects, some of which may result in psychopathic or sociopathic behavior. Psychopathic and sociopathic behavior specific to this example would be murder. Jeffrey Dahmer, for example, was an individual that participated in seventeen murders over a span of thirteen years. Although Dahmer was not able to plead insanity, he still had a severe mental disorder that may be partly to blame for some of his actions. Biological disorder is often difficult to back up due to the fact that many disorders are also based on nurturing
Jeffery Dahmer was sentenced to 15 consecutive life terms for the murders of 17 men and boys in the Milwaukee area between 1978-1991. Dahmer had sex with the corpses of his victims and kept the body parts of others, some of which he ate. Later he was beaten to death by another prison inmate (Pearson, par. 1). Could there possibly be an excuse for these horrific actions? Recent research proves that the serial killer brain is underdeveloped in the section in which ethical and moral decisions are made.
I believe that Jeffrey Dahmer was a psychopath. According to the Table 3.2 handout on Characteristics of a Psychopath, a psychopath displays superficial charm and good "intelligence", and lack of remorse or shame as well as a few other qualities. Dahmer used his charm to lure young men from bars to his home where he would then commit his crimes. He also never displayed any type of remorse for his actions. I think if he had remorse, he would’ve stopped after his first crime. Living with guilt is difficult, it takes a psychopath to live with 17 victims. I also think that his crimes are culpable and that he knew he was
Growing up watching movies including murders and fatalities you would expect the standard “hit and run” situation. There would either be a robbery or some dramatic scene where an affair is going on and the partner is caught and killed. Never would someone think that a human could be so malicious compared to the notorious serial killers to this day, one of them being Jeffrey Dahmer. Many people just know his name through Katy Perry’s song “Dark Horse” where the featured rapper says, “She eat your heart out like Jeffrey Dahmer”. Where you can infer that Dahmer is a cannibal. But despite those accurate details there is more to the life of Dahmer than what a lyric entails.
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was born May 21, 1960 in Milwaukee. He was raised by his parents, Lionel and Joyce Dahmer who cared for him deeply. Dahmer was diagnosed with a double hernia in his scrotum when he was four and the operation left him feeling vulnerable and exposed as no one explained what was happening to him. This experience could have marked his subconscious all together. When Jeffrey Dahmer was six, his mother gave birth to his younger brother, David. During his childhood Dahmer experienced sexual abuse from a neighbour (which he never confirmed) and neglect from his parents which contributed to his downward spiral into killing. Between the years of 1978 and 1991, 17 young men and boys went missing and were murdered in
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer born on May 21 1960 was nurtured into his cruel fantasies leading him to become America’s most notorious serial killer. Jeffrey had a content childhood up until the age of about six years old when the value of life then began to depreciate. Jeffrey wanted to have a secure
Showing a possibility of Dahmer’s mental illness having a biological connection. Dahmer's mother had taken a medication during pregnancy with Jeffrey that has been mentioned as a possible contributing factor. He witnessed extreme tension between his parents in his home environment this also could have played a part.
Throughout all stages of the Dahmer case, we witness this detailed process of social constructions that include his childhood, his murders, his arrest by the police, the uncovering of gruesome evidence in his apartment, the public trial, there is also a question floating around about his clutch on sanity, his sentencing and his time in jail, and, finally, Dahmer's violent death in prison. In tracing the development of the case, Tithecott outlines the social roles that the serial killer can be made to play; he can appear as animal, kind person, royalty, crazed homosexual, outgoing loner, or a deadly infection of the social body. Tithecott's basis throughout analysis is that "serial killing should not be explained away as 'something else,' but that the serial killer is 'doing what he wants to do,' making his fantasies come tragically true" (p. 59). The book's two major topics, one entitled "Policing the Serial Killer," the other "Dreaming the Serial Killer". "Dreaming the Serial Killer," suggests that these fantasies the killer lives out are shared by his family and the environment around him. Also visions of crooked views the killers need