THE PORTRAYAL OF JEFFREY DAHMER’S PSYCHOPATY AS SEEN IN DAHMER – MONSTER: THE JEFFREY DAHMER STORY SERIES

Abstract

This research explores the representation of Jeffrey Dahmer’s psychopathy in the Netflix series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story through the application of Robert D. Hare’s theory of psychopathy. The findings reveal a range of emotional and interpersonal traits, including superficial charm, egocentrism, manipulation, shallow affect, lack of empathy, and absence of remorse, which align with Hare’s framework. These are reinforced by lifestyle symptoms such as impulsivity, irresponsibility, poor behavioral control, and a constant search for stimulation, further shaping Dahmer’s psychopathic profile. The study also emphasizes nurture-related causes, particularly his troubled family background marked by conflict, neglect, rejection, and alienation, which contribute significantly to his psychological development and subsequent antisocial behavior. By combining trait analysis with an exploration of environmental influences, the study illustrates how Dahmer’s psychopathy is constructed and portrayed within the narrative of the series. Ultimately, this research enriches the psychology of literature by demonstrating how film and television not only depict psychopathic traits but also provide insight into the intersections of character development, narrative representation, and cultural understandings of crime and mental illness.