Learn all about the personality type of Jeffrey Dahmer, including personality traits and frequently asked questions.
Quick Navigation
Who is Jeffrey Dahmer?
Jeffrey Dahmer was an American serial killer and sex offender known as the Milwaukee Cannibal.
He was born on May 21, 1960.
He murdered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.
Dahmer had a difficult childhood and a fascination with dead animals.
He would lure young men back to his home where he would drug and strangle them, then dismember their bodies and dispose of them in various ways.
He was convicted of 15 counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Dahmer’s case has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries.
Jeffrey Dahmer Personality Type
What personality type is Jeffrey Dahmer?
Dahmer fits the INTP personality type.
INTP is one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types.
It stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.
INTPs are known for their analytical and logical thinking, and their ability to think deeply about complex issues.
They tend to be independent thinkers who value autonomy and intellectual freedom.
Personality types don’t determine criminal behavior; Dahmer’s actions cannot be attributed to his personality type alone.
1. Introversion
As an introvert, Dahmer may have preferred spending time alone, which could have contributed to his ability to keep his criminal activities hidden for so long. This introverted nature might also have made it harder for him to form meaningful relationships with others, leading to a sense of isolation.
2. Intuition
INTPs are known for their ability to see patterns and connections that others might miss. Dahmer’s intuitive nature might have helped him plan and execute his crimes with a level of detail and forethought that allowed him to evade detection for many years.
3. Thinking
INTPs are characterized by their logical and analytical approach to problem-solving. In Dahmer’s case, this might have manifested in a cold, detached way of viewing the world, which may have allowed him to rationalize his horrific actions.
4. Perceiving
INTPs are known for their adaptability and flexibility in their approach to life. This could have enabled Dahmer to adjust his criminal activities to avoid detection and adapt to changing circumstances.
Dahmer is said to have fitted the Enneagram Type Five with a Four wing.
The Enneagram Five type is often referred to as the Investigator, and they are known for their analytical and detached nature.
Fives tend to be curious, insightful, and introspective, but they can also be withdrawn and isolated.
When unhealthy-minded, Fives may become secretive and paranoid and may struggle with social interactions.
Enneagram Four is often referred to as the Individualist, and they are known for their introspective and creative nature.
Fours tend to be sensitive, imaginative, and expressive, but they can also be moody and self-absorbed.
When unhealthy-minded, Fours may struggle with feelings of inadequacy and may become self-destructive.
5 Jeffrey Dahmer Personality Traits
So, what are some of the personality traits of Jeffrey Dahmer?
- Isolated
- Manipulative
- Obsessive
- Emotionally detached
- Disturbed
Let’s take a look at these personality traits in more detail:
1. Isolated
Dahmer was a shy and introverted child who struggled to make friends. He often felt lonely and isolated from others, which may have contributed to his fascination with dead animals.
2. Manipulative
Dahmer was known to be manipulative, particularly with his victims. He would lure them back to his home with promises of money or alcohol, and would then drug and kill them.
3. Obsessive
Dahmer had a preoccupation with death and violence from a young age. He would often collect and dissect dead animals, and later, human remains. This obsession may have contributed to his violent behavior.
4. Emotionally detached
Dahmer appeared to have little empathy or emotional attachment to his victims, which allowed him to commit heinous crimes without remorse. He would dismember and dispose of their bodies with little regard for their humanity.
5. Disturbed
Dahmer’s crimes were characterized by extreme violence and sexual deviance. He engaged in acts of cannibalism and necrophilia, further highlighting his disturbed and depraved nature.
Jeffrey Dahmer FAQs
How did Jeffrey Dahmer die?
He was murdered by a fellow inmate named Christopher Scarver on November 28, 1994, at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.
Scarver beat Dahmer to death with a metal bar while they were on a work detail in a prison gymnasium.
Dahmer suffered extensive head injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to the hospital.
Scarver also killed another inmate, Jesse Anderson, during the same attack.
Scarver later stated that he was motivated to kill Dahmer and Anderson because he believed they were both unrepentant child molesters.
Scarver was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison.
What happened during Jeffrey Dahmer’s trial?
Jeffrey Dahmer’s trial began in January 1992, and he faced 15 counts of murder.
During the trial, the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, including physical remains of his victims, photographs of the crime scenes, and testimony from surviving victims and witnesses.
Dahmer initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but his defense team ultimately abandoned this strategy and instead argued for a reduced sentence based on his mental health and history of abuse.
However, the jury rejected these arguments and found Dahmer guilty of all charges.
He was sentenced to 15 consecutive life terms in prison, totaling 957 years, which he began serving at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.
What were Jeffrey Dahmer’s motives?
Jeffrey Dahmer’s motives for his crimes were complex and multifaceted, including his desire for control and domination over his victims, loneliness and isolation, and a fascination with death and dismemberment.
Psychological and psychiatric factors may also have contributed to his behavior.
However, despite efforts to understand his motives, his crimes remain one of the most disturbing and perplexing cases in criminal psychology.
Was Jeffrey Dahmer ever married or in a relationship?
Jeffrey Dahmer was in a few short-term relationships during his lifetime, but he was never married.
He struggled with social interactions and intimacy, which may have contributed to his inability to maintain long-term relationships.
Why was Jeffrey Dahmer like he was?
Jeffrey Dahmer’s behavior and actions as a serial killer can be attributed to a complex interplay of factors, including his childhood experiences, mental health issues, and individual choices.
Dahmer’s upbringing involved emotional neglect and a lack of stable parental figures, which may have contributed to his emotional detachment and inability to form meaningful relationships.
He also reportedly struggled with feelings of isolation, loneliness, and a desire for control over others, which played a role in his horrific crimes.
Dahmer was diagnosed with various mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and a psychotic disorder, which likely influenced his behavior as well
