Psy 410 Abnormal Behavior
Case Study in Abnormal Behavior
Research supports both arguments in nature vs. nurture. Biological factors are considered while the child is still in the womb, such as stressors and hormone levels. Genetic factors also play a role in determining if an individual will commit a criminal act, and diagnosing the person with Anti Social Personality Disorder (ASPD) (Meyers, 2006). Another factor that is considered is the environment in which a person grows up in (nurture). For example, a child experiencing abuse, punishment, depression and anxiety all combined with social and biological factors are explanations developing serial killers.
In Jeffrey Dahmer’s case there seems to be a number of influences that motivated his actions, such as; socially, nurture and biological explanations.
Jeffrey Dahmer
Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer, murdered seventeen men from 1978 to 1991, the murders he committed involved, necrophilia, dismemberment, rape, cannibalism (Meyer, 2006). As a child Dahmer had low self-esteem and an introverted personality, he also demonstrated unusual behavior, for example, he would collect dead animals and pour acid on them. As a teenager he began abusing alcohol, and by age eighteen his parents had divorced. Soon after, Dahmer killed his first victim, a hitchhiker, Stephen Hicks-by blunt trauma to the head (Bardsley, 2008).
Over the years, Dahmer made an attempt to be a part of society, by attending the Ohio State University, but dropped out after a few semesters, because of his drinking problem. He then enlisted in the military, he served as a medic for about eighteen months, and he was discharged for his alcoholism problem (Wattermann, n.d.). He moved in with his grandmother for about six years. He would frequent gay bars, his behavior was becoming stranger. In 1987 Steven Toumi became his second victim (Bardsley, 2008).
In 1988 Dahmer was arrested and charged sexually molesting a thirteen year old boy. He was given a ten months
Research supports both arguments in nature vs. nurture. Biological factors are considered while the child is still in the womb, such as stressors and hormone levels. Genetic factors also play a role in determining if an individual will commit a criminal act, and diagnosing the person with Anti Social Personality Disorder (ASPD) (Meyers, 2006). Another factor that is considered is the environment in which a person grows up in (nurture). For example, a child experiencing abuse, punishment, depression and anxiety all combined with social and biological factors are explanations developing serial killers.
In Jeffrey Dahmer’s case there seems to be a number of influences that motivated his actions, such as; socially, nurture and biological explanations.
Jeffrey Dahmer
Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer, murdered seventeen men from 1978 to 1991, the murders he committed involved, necrophilia, dismemberment, rape, cannibalism (Meyer, 2006). As a child Dahmer had low self-esteem and an introverted personality, he also demonstrated unusual behavior, for example, he would collect dead animals and pour acid on them. As a teenager he began abusing alcohol, and by age eighteen his parents had divorced. Soon after, Dahmer killed his first victim, a hitchhiker, Stephen Hicks-by blunt trauma to the head (Bardsley, 2008).
Over the years, Dahmer made an attempt to be a part of society, by attending the Ohio State University, but dropped out after a few semesters, because of his drinking problem. He then enlisted in the military, he served as a medic for about eighteen months, and he was discharged for his alcoholism problem (Wattermann, n.d.). He moved in with his grandmother for about six years. He would frequent gay bars, his behavior was becoming stranger. In 1987 Steven Toumi became his second victim (Bardsley, 2008).
In 1988 Dahmer was arrested and charged sexually molesting a thirteen year old boy. He was given a ten months
References: Bardsley, M. (2008). Jeffrey Dahmer. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from truTv Web site: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/dahmer/index.html Hansell, J., & Damour, L. (2005). Abnormal psychology. Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Meyer, R.G Millner, V. (2005). Female Sexual Arousal Disorder and Counseling Deliberations, The family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 13 Retrieved July 10, 2011, Wattermann, E. (n.d.). Surviving Jeffrey Dahmer. Surviving Jeffrey Dahmer. Retrieved July 10, 2011, from http://www.survivingjeffreydahmer.org/nlp.html